BSNL GSM Data Card launched in Chennai

[anandsp1]

Freinds,

Please check chennai.bsnl.co.in and and select the following message from the scrolling messages:

[size=x-large]Launch of BSNL GSM Data Card [/size]

It seems BSNL has launched another Internet option through GPRS channel. Speed and other information are missing.

If any of you has more information on this, please share with us.

Thanks,
Anand

[Gigacore]

Well..

here's the excerpt:

Quote: BSNL Chennai Telephones is pleased to announce that GSM GPRS / EDGE Data card has been launched in Chennai. The data card is priced at Rs.3300/-(Incl of Service Tax) and comes with various attractive plans to suit a cross section of users. As launch offer, initial deposit and activation charges are waived and for the first six months, the usage limit will be double. The details of the scheme are as follows:

v Under plan-250, the monthly rent is Rs.250/-, and it comes with a monthly GPRS usage limit of 500 MB, which includes charges while roaming.

v Under plan-500, the monthly rent is Rs.500/-, and it comes with a monthly GPRS usage limit of 1GB, which includes charges while roaming and free SMS worth Rs.50/-.

v Under plan-600, the monthly rent is Rs.600/-, and it comes with a monthly GPRS usage limit of 2GB, which includes charges while roaming and free SMS worth Rs.50/-

v Under plan-750, the monthly rent is Rs.750/-, and it comes with a unlimited monthly GPRS usage and free SMS worth Rs.100/-

v Under the annual payment plan, a sum of Rs.10800/- is collected which is inclusive of the card price. Unlimited GPRS usage and SMS worth Rs.100/- is allowed

v For voice calls, charges will be as per plan-99

v Additional usage charges will be Rs.3/- per MB for plan 250 & 500 and Rs.2/- per MB for plan-600.

v All India roaming is enabled for GPRS, MMS and SMS services

It really looks like little expensive.

GPRS can offer the max speed of 115.2 Kbps with class 8. If BSNL is providing EDGE, then the speeds will be 236.8 Kbps in Class 8 (4 timeslots) and 476.8 Kbps in Class 10 with (6 - 8 timeslots)

All the above figures are theoretical. So practically you will get very low speeds. Much like EVDO and CDMA 1x. With all the parameters like distance from the tower, signal strength.. etc.

The unlimited plan comes at 750 Rs / mo with free 100 SMS (which I never bother about). All this looks bit expensive for me (considering the speeds)

P.S: Thanks for the info, anyway.

[jameandrew]

i dont understand here the roaming facility is avaible then why dont they enable it in EVDO..

[coolpcguy]

Eh? GSM Data card has beeen available for a LOOOOOOOONG time Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register in our forum for free by clicking here to see images. infact I remember telling Giga(and posting here & on my blog), when I asked for EVDO, they were showing me GSM data cards.

[gauravenigma]

(07-10-2008 11:58 AM)jameandrew Wrote: Guests cannot see links in the messages. Please register in our forum for free by clicking here to see links.i dont understand here the roaming facility is avaible then why dont they enable it in EVDO..

The BSNL EVDO network, operates on the CDMA infrastructure which BSNL has.
Now this CDMA network caters to two kinds of service.
1. CDMA Tarang Mobile:- Its a Black colored CDMA Mobile which can be used only in the city limits and does not have SMS facility. (I used this service way back when we had charges for incoming on GSM mobiles.) And its billing is more or less similar to a Land line.
2. Fixed WLL:- BSNL has been using this CDMA infrastructure to install Fixed WLL wireless Home Phones.Thus saving cost on copper lines.

In short, the CDMA network on which EVDO works has been used only as WLL. Which means Wireless in Local Loop and caters to last mile wireless connection.

I do hope that some day BSNL provide national roaming for EVDO but it will certainly be a limited prospect(not many places covered by CDMA as of now). Keeping in view that, after the Selling of 3G Spectrum (for GSM), even the GSM will come up with high speed internet, which will no doubt have much much wider coverage and better roaming facilities.At a higher cost although.

Best Regards
Gaurav