BSNL EV-DO Review from Bangalore (CDMA 1x)

Hi Guys!! Got the EVDO Card!! Now lets discuss the Good and the Bad.
First the Good:
Got the card the very next day, the CRO called me at 9.50am in the morning and asked me to pick the card, this is really good.

Near my office at Perungudi, I get 3-4 bars of EVDO signal with which i get about 200-300kbps speeds, but sometimes the continuous ping response to some sites are not very good.

The Bad:
The area where my home is at - Madipakkam has only 1X signal (1 to 3 bars). With 1X, I am unable to connect at all - Error the remote host does not respond. I have reported problem to the CRO, Guindy.

I am unable to connect to the Nortel Contivity VPN with my EVDO Error “Checking Banner Text” and then times out.

BSNL CRO says there is a EVDO tower in Perungudi, Keelkattalai, KK Nagar and 4 other areas. But when I drove down with my laptop, I didnt find any EVDO signal in Keelkattalai got only the 1X signal 5 bars, but unable to connect, as mentioned earlier.

If any of you have any suggestions please let me know at agnagarajan@yahoo.com

Thanks.

Modem Log while connecting to 1X Network:

04-02-2008 20:49:25.250 - File: C:\WINDOWS\system32\tapisrv.dll, Version 5.1.2600
04-02-2008 20:49:25.250 - File: C:\WINDOWS\system32\unimdm.tsp, Version 5.1.2600
04-02-2008 20:49:25.250 - File: C:\WINDOWS\system32\unimdmat.dll, Version 5.1.2600
04-02-2008 20:49:25.250 - File: C:\WINDOWS\system32\uniplat.dll, Version 5.1.2600
04-02-2008 20:49:25.250 - File: C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\modem.sys, Version 5.1.2600
04-02-2008 20:49:25.265 - File: C:\WINDOWS\system32\modemui.dll, Version 5.1.2600
04-02-2008 20:49:25.265 - File: C:\WINDOWS\system32\mdminst.dll, Version 5.1.2600
04-02-2008 20:49:25.265 - Modem type: ZTE USB Modem 3197
04-02-2008 20:49:25.265 - Modem inf path: oem20.inf
04-02-2008 20:49:25.265 - Modem inf section: Modem2
04-02-2008 20:49:25.265 - Matching hardware ID: usb\vid_05c6&pid_3197&mi_00
04-02-2008 20:49:25.296 - Opening Modem
04-02-2008 20:49:25.296 - 230400,8,N,1, ctsfl=0, rtsctl=1
04-02-2008 20:49:25.328 - Initializing modem.
04-02-2008 20:49:25.328 - CD is high while initializing modem.
04-02-2008 20:49:25.343 - Send: AT
04-02-2008 20:49:25.343 - Recv: OK
04-02-2008 20:49:25.343 - Interpreted response: OK
04-02-2008 20:49:25.359 - TSP(0000): Making Call
04-02-2008 20:49:25.359 - Send: ATE0V1
04-02-2008 20:49:25.359 - Recv: OK
04-02-2008 20:49:25.359 - Interpreted response: OK
04-02-2008 20:49:25.375 - Send: AT
04-02-2008 20:49:25.375 - Recv: OK
04-02-2008 20:49:25.375 - Interpreted response: OK
04-02-2008 20:49:25.375 - Waiting for a call.
04-02-2008 20:49:25.390 - Send: ATS0=0
04-02-2008 20:49:25.390 - Recv: OK
04-02-2008 20:49:25.390 - Interpreted response: OK
04-02-2008 20:49:25.390 - 230400,8,N,1, ctsfl=1, rtsctl=2
04-02-2008 20:49:25.421 - Initializing modem.
04-02-2008 20:49:25.421 - CD is high while initializing modem.
04-02-2008 20:49:25.421 - Send: AT
04-02-2008 20:49:25.421 - Recv: OK
04-02-2008 20:49:25.421 - Interpreted response: OK
04-02-2008 20:49:25.437 - Send: ATE0V1
04-02-2008 20:49:25.437 - Recv: OK
04-02-2008 20:49:25.437 - Interpreted response: OK
04-02-2008 20:49:25.453 - Send: AT
04-02-2008 20:49:25.453 - Recv: OK
04-02-2008 20:49:25.453 - Interpreted response: OK
04-02-2008 20:49:25.453 - Dialing.
04-02-2008 20:49:25.453 - TSP Completing Async Operation(0×0001017c) Status 0×00000000
04-02-2008 20:49:25.453 - TSP(0000): LINEEVENT: LINECALLSTATE_DIALING
04-02-2008 20:49:25.453 - TSP(0000): LINEEVENT: LINECALLSTATE_PROCEEDING
04-02-2008 20:49:25.468 - Send: ATDT####
04-02-2008 20:49:58.000 - Recv: NO CARRIER
04-02-2008 20:49:58.000 - Interpreted response: No Carrier
04-02-2008 20:49:58.000 - Hanging up the modem.
04-02-2008 20:49:58.000 - Hardware hangup by lowering DTR.
04-02-2008 20:49:58.000 - Detected CD dropped from lowering DTR
04-02-2008 20:49:59.000 - Timed out waiting for response from modem
04-02-2008 20:49:59.015 - Send: ATH E1
04-02-2008 20:49:59.015 - Recv: OK
04-02-2008 20:49:59.015 - Interpreted response: OK
04-02-2008 20:49:59.015 - 230400,8,N,1, ctsfl=0, rtsctl=1
04-02-2008 20:49:59.046 - Initializing modem.
04-02-2008 20:49:59.046 - CD is high while initializing modem.
04-02-2008 20:49:59.062 - Send: AT
04-02-2008 20:49:59.062 - Recv: AT
04-02-2008 20:49:59.062 - Command Echo
04-02-2008 20:49:59.062 - Recv: OK
04-02-2008 20:49:59.062 - Interpreted response: OK
04-02-2008 20:49:59.078 - Send: ATE0V1
04-02-2008 20:49:59.078 - Recv: ATE0V1
04-02-2008 20:49:59.078 - Command Echo
04-02-2008 20:49:59.078 - Recv: OK
04-02-2008 20:49:59.078 - Interpreted response: OK
04-02-2008 20:49:59.093 - Send: AT
04-02-2008 20:49:59.093 - Recv: OK
04-02-2008 20:49:59.093 - Interpreted response: OK
04-02-2008 20:49:59.093 - Waiting for a call.
04-02-2008 20:49:59.093 - Send: ATS0=0
04-02-2008 20:49:59.109 - Recv: OK
04-02-2008 20:49:59.109 - Interpreted response: OK
04-02-2008 20:49:59.109 - TSP(0000): LINEEVENT: LINECALLSTATE_DISCONNECTED(0×40)
04-02-2008 20:49:59.109 - TSP(0000): LINEEVENT: LINECALLSTATE_IDLE
04-02-2008 20:49:59.109 - TSP(0000): Dropping Call
04-02-2008 20:49:59.109 - TSP Completing Async Operation(0×0001019e) Status 0×00000000
04-02-2008 20:49:59.109 - TSP(0000): Closing Call
04-02-2008 20:49:59.109 - Session Statistics:
04-02-2008 20:49:59.109 - Reads : 34 bytes
04-02-2008 20:49:59.109 - Writes: 20 bytes

Throws an error “The Remote Computer did not respond”

@Nagarajan, As mentioned in this thread http://bsnlevdoclub.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=30&pid=814#pid814 by vishesh

hi,
me 2 was suffering with the same problem. i did call 2 bsnl guy and he told me 2 bring my laptop 2 him. there he told me that som files were missing in cd which was provided by the zte company. there he installed 2 more softwares named ZTEPST v10 and PST . then he did som work on them and now its getting connected

do i wod advice u 2 go 2 them only

I suggest you do as he’s mentioned.

Hello!

Respected,
I am Jagannath i purchased evdo card from bsnl i am facing always problem means always it showing
EVDo search and Roaming not connecting to internet. and some times will connetc some times will not connect.
Please guide if you have any solution.

Thanks
Regards
Jagannath

Hello Mr Jagannath!

Please visit our forum and join there for free and get supported!

——–

From the archive.. The first comments the post received while this review was in my personal blog.

rayraven Says:
December 19th, 2007 at 10:08 am

Nice review there,
I was looking for someone to review this.

Regards,
ray

Goobimama Says:
December 19th, 2007 at 10:34 am

Nice review.

Question: Will this work on the mac? As in, any complicated software is needed or can one just write a modem script and be done with it?
Question: Can the internet sharing be enabled, if it doesn’t work the mac, I could use it on the PC and share the connection.

Yes, I’m fed up of dialup

Santhosh Says:
December 19th, 2007 at 10:54 am

Thanks.

Answer: Haven’t tried it! But will work in Linux after modprobe the device.
Answer: Haven’t tried it too. But yes, i believe we can.

@ rayraven, thanks!

Deltasquare4 Says:
December 19th, 2007 at 5:24 pm

Thank for this nice review.

Is this plan available in all major cities or just 8-10 mega cities?
Can it be accessed using phone (like GPRS on GSM)?
Can it be accessed outside home city? (WLLs do not work outside home city)

Thank you.

jit Says:
December 19th, 2007 at 11:00 pm

nice review
i would really like to see 2.4mbps

Santhosh Says:
December 20th, 2007 at 3:22 am

thanks delta and jit

according some source BSNL is working on EVDO to give access all across india including villages. so i think it will be available in small towns.

Before u apply, just ask whether the service or the network is available at ur nearest exchange

And no you cant access this using ur phone. Though EVDO is meant for mobile connectivity like GPRS and EDGE, u cant access this in all the phones. JTE will soon rollout phones CDMA phones with EVDO as connectivity and other laptop manufactures have already integrated it.

Yes it can be access anywhere just like ur cellphone on roaming.

Regards
Santhosh

pelister Says:
December 20th, 2007 at 3:59 pm

is there any signal booster for EVDO cards provided by bsnl

Rohit Kakar Says:
December 20th, 2007 at 4:18 pm

Lovely website. I have a question. What is the username and password ? I have installed my evdo card but it refuses to connect to the network saying that the username and password are wrong. The default on the evdo are ‘card’ and ‘card’ but i think that there would be something else.

Please help.

Santhosh Says:
December 20th, 2007 at 5:32 pm

@ pelister, no there is no such device provided by BSNL. But u can buy a third party device, though it wont do any hoover. But u can change the placement of the evdo device to get better signal strength.

@ rohit, thanks…!

The username and the password is both the same. I mean u have to enter the number for ur password that u use as ur username. for ex..

Username: 12345678
Password: 12345678

Both must be the same.. and i believe u r on BSNL evdo..

prasad Says:
December 21st, 2007 at 1:21 pm

nice review thanks
what is to be done for this to work on mac? no one in bsnl seems to have a clue!

I have starte using this since a month and I have recieved a bill for Rs 4000/- +!,
the bsnl authorities are still trying to figure out how has it been billed for so much, the billing procedure also seems to be worked out at BSNL.

Preshit Says:
December 24th, 2007 at 5:19 am

Nice review indeed

Damn MTNL is always behind. It doesn’t even have an unlimited plan yet.

One query: Is the tariff rental for unlimited usage ?

P.S: Would be great if you enabled SEO friendly URLs
P.P.S: Could we have a notify follow up comments via email plugin please ?

Santhosh Says:
December 24th, 2007 at 8:10 am

Thanks!

Yes it is unlimited!

And regarding the plugin, i’m sorry. I’m currently thinking of moving my blog to my own webspace. I’ll do it within a week or so. So until then, i’m not gonna post new articles and or add new stuffs to my blog.

Sukumar Says:
December 25th, 2007 at 2:58 pm

Hi,
will this work on Windows Vista?

Regards
Sukumar

Hari Selvarajan Says:
December 26th, 2007 at 12:05 pm

To all those who asked about using this device on a Mac: I’ve just got the ZTE MG 880 working with Leopard. Instructions here
saket Says:
December 26th, 2007 at 8:44 pm

I have visited BSNL exchange in nagpur, M.S., EVDO is first started at nagpur in maharashtra. and regarding speed, i have tested in their office, speed was varying from 64kbps-140kpbs, but said, for 2.4Mbps, u have wait, as they doen’t got connectivity from Baroda, gujrat server. but surely make soon. second thing was he was claiming Rs250 for unlimited, and Cost of instru is Rs7204. but i disn’t like one thing that they are charging voice rental, but EVDO doen’t have facility for o/g and i/c voice calls, and no provision for SMS too. regarding coverage for voice it will be restricted to Taluka/Tehsil, but for data they will soon provide all india coeverage.

Madanmohan Mishra Says:
December 26th, 2007 at 9:21 pm

Hi.
Well even 144 kilo bit /sec is a boon for me, as i use class 2 GPRS connectivity from airtel, and i don’t have an edge phone.
1.

What i want to ask firstly is reliance is selling same EVDO card at price tag of Rs 3200/- and BSNL at 6500. woo what a difference. and also they say that 250 is rental for 144 kbps. it will be updated after bsnl gets 3g spectrum, ie, launches EVDO and provides access to 2bps. So why so much difference (yes reliance is not providing evdo currently but provides same ZTE EVDO Datacard Model as Bsnl.)

2.Now Bsnl CTO As always, never has full information, and they say that they don’t provide the EVDO card for rental. (I thought they do at 250+350=600 Rs.)
3.
I need a decent connection of around 256 kbps, unlimited transfer, can have budget upto 700 Rs/m. I dont have a BSNL landline at home, dont even have plans for getting it. have a gprs phone but its too slow and eats my head away. I live in Nagpur, (MH), Can u suggest something..

Santhosh Says:
December 27th, 2007 at 9:49 am

@ saket, thanks for the information.

@ Madanmohan Mishra,

1. As for as i know, reliance is not giving EVDO card, or even they dont have an EVDO plan. Its 3200 Rs coz, the card is CDMA 1x

Correction:Reliance is give ZTE USB Host, but its not a EVDO device, its CDMA 1x Device, which will not be able to access EVDO network later. But the BSNL is give ZTE USB host for EVDO, which can access CDMA 1x as well as EVDO in the future.

2. If u buy the EVDO USB Host/Card at the beginning for 7500 Rs, then u will have to pay just 250 Rs / Month. Otherwise, you can opt for rental for device which is 250 + 350 = 600… 250 as the normal bill and 350 as the rental for device. You will have to pay rental for 20 - 21 Months.. then it will be 250 Rs from then.

3. Its very difficult to achieve 256 Kbps without a broadband connection as of now. When the EVDO network is established you will be able to get 2.4 Mbps on the move. So instead of spending 700 Rs, why dont u go for the BSNL EVDO device now which is offering CDMA 1x (144 Kbps) Unlimited and in near future it will be 2.4 Mbps Unlimited.

And please remember this, EVDO is the future.

Jagannath Says:
December 29th, 2007 at 7:50 am

Hi
Santhosh

I am Jagannath i got your web details from Google.
I took rend evdo device.
First month bill i get 972 Rs.
But they said monthly charges 600Rs.
Please guide me how this possible.

please send me details about this

Thanks
regards
Jagannath

nivas Says:
December 29th, 2007 at 9:38 am

Hi Santosh,

I have taken the new EV-DO from BSNL (Bangalore), I used to get the yellow colour blink from device. I am getting message as Network Disconnected in main window !
username : card
pasword : ****(most prob it might be card)
phone : #777..

Do i need to change this username or password to connect network ?
I have one phone number(bangalore local number) & ESN number given on the box provided.Please help me out………Thanks in advance

Santhosh Says:
December 29th, 2007 at 12:35 pm

@ jaganath, thats strange.. please contact ur local BSNL telephone exchange and ask them about it..

@ nivas.. u have to enter the 8 Digit number that has been provided on the box as ur username as well as password… There are two numbers given on the box, one is the only numericals containing 8 digits (which is ur username and password) and a alpha numerical (which ur EVDO device number)

You have enter 8 digit number as ur Username and Password.. for ex…

If the number is.. 20598765 then.. your

Username: 20598765
Password: 20598765

And the phone number is #777

Santosh Says:
December 29th, 2007 at 1:14 pm

I just bought the EVDO Card. I get signal strengths upto 1 or 2 bars at the max.

2 questions:

1. Will i be able to browse?
2. I think the device is not yet activated. how much time does it normally take and whom do i contact for assistance / status of activation.

Thanks in advance for the help

Santhosh Says:
December 29th, 2007 at 2:20 pm

Hi Santosh!

Yes, even i’m getting 1 - 2 Bars.. but majority of the time i’ll get two bars. And yes you will be able to browse even in one bar, but the speed wont be much good. Place ur EVDO at different locations on ur desk and see for the better location where the signal is high. If u have a CRT monitor, place a book on it and then place ur EVDO device which gains height and can recieve more signal strength (Thats what i’m doing)

And it takes about 6 - 7 Hours to get activated. Just call the number have u been given on the box along with ur city code.. if it says “The Phone is switched off”, then it means it is activated.

saket Says:
December 29th, 2007 at 7:03 pm

@ santosh

Ans 1 : 1-2 signal strengh is considered as Poorest/ Very Weak signal in CDMA technology. as against GSM, where 1-2 bar means just below normal.

So on 1-2 signal bar, u will able to surf, but it will be like intermediate break. so u won’t get speed of 30-40kbps at max.

and Second thing is that if tower is above 5km away from u, or having many buildings/tree in between.

Ans 2. generally it takes 6-7hrs, but it depend on GREAT MIND/Most HardWorking people from BSNL.

username : card
pasword : ****(most prob it might be card)
phone : #777..
is Absolutely correct. I got demo from BSNL person, and he used above data for connecting to network.

I have one doubt.

For people using ZTE EVDO.

plz ask whather they can provide UIM card with EVDO data card?

Because that will be great thing. as u can use that UIM in any CDMA mobile for making and receiving calls/SMS.

Second advantage will be. if in near future reliaance or tata come up with EVDO. we can replace BSNL UIM with any of above.

Santosh Says:
December 29th, 2007 at 8:31 pm

Hey Guys,

Thanks for the reply. i can get 2 to 3 bars when i move across my apartment like a nomad

When i connect i get a message stating authentication failed; i think i have my account activated now (access was denied because username password authentication failed on the domain). i used the default card user login as well as the 8 digit number provided on my box. Is there anything i am missing?

btw: i stay in bangalore and if i prefix 080 with the 8 digit number on my box, then it rings. does this mean the activation is not yet done!! Long live BSNL then.

Thanks

Santhosh Says:
December 30th, 2007 at 2:02 am

@ Saket, No UIM Card required. No Voice plans and SMS

@ Santhosh. You have to use only the 8 digit number as ur USERNAME and PASSWORD too. Dont enter the card number as ur username or password.
Santosh Says:
December 30th, 2007 at 9:13 am

Still getting access denied with the 8 digit number. now when i call the number then i get then sometimes it rings and sometimes it says it is not available.

Whom should i contact for help on this; the customer service center or is there any number where i can call?

Jagannath Says:
December 31st, 2007 at 11:04 am

Hi
Santhosh

I am jagannath i got your message thank you.
Mr. Santhosh you said contact telephone exchange.
But exctcly whom should i contact bsnl customer care or our near telephone exchange.
Please guide me.

Thanks
Regards
Jagannath

Santhosh Says:
January 1st, 2008 at 12:07 pm

Hi Jaganath.

This time I feel its better to visit ur local telephone exchange. Coz I have called customer care few times, but their response is too bad. They wont give exact information. So go to the exchange and ask, that u want to enquire about EVDO bill. Atleast they will give some good response. Dont let them go loose. They will agree ur complaiant but will ignore it. Keep bugging them.

Regards
Santhosh

Santosh Says:
January 1st, 2008 at 9:47 pm

Finally i got my EVDO working, the 8 digit number for login and password was correct. i called up the Telephone exchange guy today and gave him the number. he did something and then asked me to try again. i tried and voila; got connected.

The speed is good, getting max of 176 kbps, but went even towards 200 during the day. atleast it is much better than my mobile office.

Thanks Santhosh and Saket

Santhosh Says:
January 2nd, 2008 at 3:28 am

I’m glad to know that ur EVDO is finally working Yes even here my speed has been ramped to 230+ Kbps sometimes. And its better than mobile office. I was a mobile office addict once

Have a nice time and keep visiting my blog and help others to solve their problems

Regards
Santhosh

Srikanth Eswaran Says:
January 2nd, 2008 at 10:38 am

hello santosh

nice reivew there. i would like to know if there is an official web page for this product from bsnl. any place i can know the tariffs for this service please? and in future do you think bsnl is going to increase speeds over EV-DO to 2mbps+ ?

thanks
srikanth

Riju Says:
January 2nd, 2008 at 1:39 pm

I want to use the BSNL ZTE EVDO card for 2 laptops, is it possible to configure that?

Does it require some activation from BSNL?
What is the steps to configure? Just install CD content and plug in the device to USB?

saket Says:
January 2nd, 2008 at 10:24 pm

@ shrikanth
http://www.bsnl.co.in/newsdetailed.php?news_id=370.

is official website.

@ santosh
thanks santosh.

but u r thinking in different way.

as per my knowledge, it is WLL connetion, so it must be capable of making outgoing and incominh calls and sms.

BTW what is total rental coming in ur bills?
plz provide bifirgation of rental part, so we can analyse it.

one more idea came in my mind is

TATa and Reliance is giving MOROTOLA Razr handset model number V3c and V3m respectively. and best part of this is both handset are EVDO ready. handset.

So instead of spending Rs7000 on ZTE card, why not purchase those handset from market, and ask bsnl people to activate WLL number on those.

Therotically this is 100% possible.

and BSNL too have one scheme, where u can purchase ur own handset and use WLL connetion from BSNL network.

so plz reply to my Q.

one more handset is EVDO ready : MOTO Q, windows 5.0

Santhosh Says:
January 3rd, 2008 at 3:13 am

@ Srikanth Eswaran, Yet, there is no official EVDO website from BSNL. U can visit the nearest telephone exchange for the details. And yes soon after bsnl establishes the EVDO network, u will be able to browse at 2.4 Mbps.

@ Riju, i havent shared a single connection between two machines using the EVDO, so it is difficult to say about that. But as far as i know, almost all kind of internet connections can be shared. But few type of connection needs different method of configuring the network.

@ saket, True WLL connection can be used to make and recieve calls and sms. What u are saying is a BFone. But this is completely different. Though this is based on WLL, it is a standalone device which lets u to browse only the internet. See the letters EVDO itself says everything. (Evolution Data Only)

I recieved my first month’s bill with 600 Rs as rental and 250 Rs for the activation and some taxes. From next month it will be 600 + Tax

And yes, today new cellphones and laptops comes with EVDO. As u said all those phones have EVDO integrated. And it is 100% possible theoritcally. But here in india, none of the ISP is giving a UIM card which can be used to access the EVDO network. Some sources say that Tata’s Plug-to-Surf device will use a UIM, but it is just able to acess the CDMA 1x network. So for this to happen we have to wait for a long time.

Thank u.

Sathya Says:
January 3rd, 2008 at 6:38 am

Hi Santhosh,
I’ve been using the AirTel USB Data Card(the EDGE modem crap) and am thoroughly fed up with it, with pathetic speeds of 2-6KBps, with max speed hitting 10-11KBps that too only @ 2in the morning for few minutes. I’m planning to get rid of this data card, and looking at the EVDO which looks like a good alternative. I just want to confirm whether the EVDO’s current speed is better than what I’m getting now using my AirTel Data card connection.. Also, where can I purchase this? Can I apply for this online or do I have to visit the BSNL exchange for this?
Thanks and Regards,
Sathya

Madanmohan Mishra Says:
January 3rd, 2008 at 8:28 pm

@Santosh,
Well, lots of confusion. First of all, i dont know about others but for me 7500 is hell lot of money, and i am not going to spend it at once. About rental of the device, u say it is 359 Rs, but this BSNL.co.in News Page http://www.bsnl.co.in/newsdetailed.php?news_id=370 Says Rental for EVDO Card is 200 Rs. 1000 Rs security Deposit.

( *Above Tariff is for internet speed up to 144 kbps. (Tariff for CDMA EVDO card for speed up to 2.4 mbps will be intimated later, after installation of CDMA EVDO system).)

so any body having idea what will be the Tariff then after launching of EVDO.

@ Saket
Well Saket, i am too frm nagpur. I have some Doubts, it would be great if u could answer.
>>1>> I Went to Bsnl Office, Trimurti Nagar, they Say we dont give Insrument EVDO Card on rental at all. Also they told me that monthly rental is 550 Rs/month.
>>2>> Acc to the website News of Bsnl, evdo card should be given on rent by taking 1000 rs deposit, and 200Rs/month rent.
also 250Rs /month should be the Data Tarriff till we get the speed of 2mbps.

>>3>> so why the hell they say, monthly tarriff 550/month (with purchase of instrument). also why the helll they say no insrument renting. and websie shows the cost of card 6500.00 Rs, why they are charging 7200Rs.
>>4>> is it 550 because they say on paper nagpur circle has EVDO, even though practically it is not on, as u say due to some server bw related problem.
>>5>> Where did u went to see the performance of the evdo card , CTO?

Santhosh Says:
January 4th, 2008 at 2:11 am

@ sathya!

Yes, the speed is better than the speeds u mentioned. And the speed depends on the signal strength. To have a good signal strength, u need to make sure there is a BSNL’s CDMA tower within 3-5 KMs from ur house. And no online forms. You need to visit the exchange to buy. Visit ur nearest exchange and then enquire about the tower and the product.

@ Madanmohan Mishra: Hmmm.. here in bangalore its 250 + 350 on rental and 250 Rs permonth if u buy the device for 7500 Rs. But i think the tarriff wont change all across India.
saket Says:
January 4th, 2008 at 9:22 am

@Madanmohan Mishra

Yes it true. it is Rs550+ tax for purchasing device.
and Rs550+200 for renting device.

yesterday i had went to CTO BSNL, Zero mile.

they had given me form as shwon that Rs7233(Rs6500+ S. Tax) will chaged and device will be availble in 3-4 days
or Rs1562(Rs1000+Rs500+ ST) for device on rent.

i went to 1st floor on lefthandside room. and he showed me demand note of 1562 also.

On paper means :1)they have install EVDO network in nagpur(in other cities in MH, it is still in process)
2) evdo network commissioning and testing is done.
3) but network is not opened for Public usage.

once they get server connectivity u will see EVDO performance. may be within 1-2months

@Sathya

Airtel works on GSM nettwork, and it has been proved that CDMA n/w gives better acess to Data services on wireless n/w.

so EVDO will theorotically gives 2.4mbps, but practcally u can expect 1.5-1.7mpbs.

and if at times EVDO n/w not avlb, then still u can acess CDMA 1x 2000 at 153kbps.

which is far better than Airtel GPRS 115kbps and EDGE 386kbps.

Contact ur local BSNL exchage, Commericial division or WLL division.

Sathya Says:
January 5th, 2008 at 7:27 am

@Saket and @Santhosh,
Thanks for the replies and confirmations guys!
Sathya Says:
January 5th, 2008 at 7:30 am

Hit enter button a bit too soon.
@Saket, going by the theoretical speeds, it would seem that EDGE would be much faster than CDMA 1x 2000, and yet you claim the opposite, would like to hear an explaination on that!

Santhosh Says:
January 5th, 2008 at 11:15 am

You are welcome Sathya!

Keep visiting my blog

Sathya Says:
January 5th, 2008 at 3:14 pm

@Santosh: I will! Interesting information you have here! Hope you’d drop by my blog too

Muhammed Shaheen Says:
January 5th, 2008 at 6:25 pm

hi

very useful review.

pls run a bandwidth test at speedtest.net and post/reply

thank u very much for such a described review and screenshots

saket Says:
January 5th, 2008 at 7:56 pm

@sathya

I mean that CDMA 1x 2000 and GPRS are 2.5G technology against
EVDO and EDGE are 3G technology.
so if u go for CDMA then u will get either 153kbps or2mbps
and if GSM then 115kbps or 386kbps.

Plus CDMA network is more ROBUST(STABLE)and Security is maintained, that mean Less virus problem, no to hacking , and secure credit card transcation.

prakash raj Says:
January 5th, 2008 at 8:32 pm

A very welcome review. i too was badly fed up with the airtel mobile office for the past one year. but i dont know whether i can go for evdo immediately for iam living 5 kms away from an electronic bsnl exchange. but very heartening to know atleast something good is coming up.Have any idea of the availability of evdo in Madurai tamilnadu.
Thanks a lot.

Santhosh Says:
January 6th, 2008 at 6:08 am

@ sathya.. heh man.. i saw ur blog.. its nice
shyamk Says:
January 6th, 2008 at 1:16 pm

1)if i take an evdo card from bsnl can i change my intent provider to reliance or tata indicom in future??
2)i have an nokia e61i..it has edge in it..is there any way i can have a gr8 speed from it?

shyamk Says:
January 6th, 2008 at 1:22 pm

hello gr8 post
1)if i buy a evdo card from bsnl can i change my service provider to reliance or tata in the future?
2)is it available in hyderabad??
3)nobody here in hyderabad bsnl office knows about this evdo thingie?
spadival Says:
January 6th, 2008 at 2:52 pm

Have you checked if you can roam across states using this? Whats the coverage like?

rasik Says:
January 6th, 2008 at 4:04 pm

1)if i take an evdo card from bsnl can i change my intent provider to reliance or tata indicom in future?

Kiran Says:
January 6th, 2008 at 4:09 pm

Santosh, Nice Review. Some questions - pls answer the same.

1) I am desperately in need of broadband services. However, in the area that I am staying (sligtly outskirts of Bangalore - 10 to 15 km from city centre) there is only WLL. Is this the right choice for me if I need something in excess of 100 kbs.
2) Also currently I am using Tata Indicom data card that gives me around 10 to 15kbs though they claim to be 144 kbps. So how much speed can I expect with the 2.4 mbs card?
3)Do I need to use BSNL WLL or will this work with my existing Tata Indicom WLL?

Thanks you!!