Last month, you read our exclusive report on MTNL's reason for delay in launching its 3G services. This included a spokesperson's quote stating that the state-owned telecom service provider would kick-start its 3G services via its HSDPA data services alone.
Well, MTNL has now made the same news officially available to Mumbaikars. MTNL's HSDPA data card service is now available in the city. It plans to launch its 3G voice services after some time, which means that video-calls and other bandwidth-hungry applications on your phone will just have to wait a little bit longer.
What is HSDPA?
HSDPA is short for High Speed Downlink Packet Access. It is a third generation telephony technology that allows users to surf the internet at high speeds.
The HSDPA card on offer will support data download speeds up to 3.6 Mbps, data upload speeds up to 384 Kbps and SMS services. It will be downward compatible (i.e. it will support 2.75 & 2.5G data services).
With this, users will be able to access the mentioned speeds to access the internet on their laptops and desktops by installing the HSDPA SIM in the data card and plugging the data card into the USB port of their laptop or desktop PC.
Network Availability in Mumbai
Presently 3G/HSDPA network is available in Cuffe Parade, Fountain, Cooperage, City, Mazagaon, Mandvi, Worli and Dadar areas. Network is also available from Prabhadevi to Mulund on Eastern Express Highway and Prabhadevi to Airport on Western Express Highway.
The network is being upgraded every day by addition of new towers and will cover entire Mumbai in a phased manner. The details of upgrade of network will be conveyed regularly by SMS to customers.
Want it?
If the idea of owning an HSDPA (High Speed Down link Packet Access) card excites you, ahead you will find details about how can you procure an MTNL prepaid or postpaid HSDPA connection.
Here's what's ahead:
Trump (Prepaid) a) How to get started b) Recharge (Price, Procedure, Balance enquiry)
c) Other details
Dolphin (Postpaid) a) How to get started b) Monthly tariff
c) Other details
Prasannaa I suppose so...that You won't be able to make calls just use it as data. If that doesn't work then don't buy this crap...I mean seriously 3G phones already have modems built into them for PC connection. Whats the point of buying this crap 2-3k dongle for that need. In Singapore it worked when I was there for Star Hub Internet Oh yeah & check this...3G speed 5 Mbps unlimited download $15 singapore/month oh yeah go India! :-)
Ok Traffis of Unlimited seem Decent enough. TT you don't tell us though whats the minimum & maximum guranteed Download/Upload Speed? Whats the freaking point of you mentioning the Traffis TT without Speed indication.
Yes to the other newbies at 3G...This will work with your Nokia phone or any other 3G phone, just install the modem drivers for the phone on your PC & use it as a modem.
TT get your FACTS ASAP though, tell us the minimum & maximum download/upload speed.
If for 2500 unlimited Tariff the Speed is 2 Mbps guranteed in download & 1 Mbps in upload. It seems good enough considering MTNL's Triband costs the same tariff for that speed.
So TT GIVE US THE SPEED INFO ASAP!
they say " Customers can recharge their account by inserting the SIM in a handset and following the usual process as available now to all Prepaid customers."
what does this mean ?
Can this SIM be used in and as a Phone ?
From the above description, I think it is a DATA ONLY card and no phone calls ie currently it cannot be used as a regular phone, only Data usages permitted.
Only one word toooo much expensive. We can understand MTNL looking profit in per bit data download from customer.
No other way out as private telecom providers are still waiting for 3G spectrum auction. MTNL is taking advantage of first movers.