BSNL 3G-review

As many of my friends who are BSNL users requested me to review the BSNl 3 G performance. this review is applicable only to Chennai and its suburban  areas. Servicing wireless communications is more difficult in metro areas than in Rural and small cities side..My trusted companion Nokia Music xpress 5800 make it possible..

A little introduction,

When the BSNL 3G introduced the unlimited option was set to very much high at 3000/- p.m in the initial stage, even MTNL which introduced 3G much before BSNL was struggled with just 3000 subscribers for the first 3 months,and BSNL with just 20000 in its all India deputation for the first two months.The planners in corporate office took hint of the initial frustration of customers, then revise the plan at several stages..To day exactly after one year, BSNL 3 G subscribers crossed 20 lahks all over india, not withstanding first 6 months was stagnant, and all the spurt happened in the last six months..

As a EVDO user I took 3 G for voice and video calls only..But when I replace my laptop with Nokia 5800 during my trips from my home to duty place (35 k.m two buses or one train one bus) i got almost 3 G signal in every place. But only my house was situated in the non signal area, where the 3 G signal is available just 1,2, and 3 then gone to E mostly E signal only…

My family who always critise BSNL, Particularly my daughter, but surprised the voice quality…However video call always worst, but not with the BSNL services, but because the front facing camera included by Nokia is just plain 256k so video appears as slow motion film, as voice finished, and that its funnay.. I try video calls where the signal is good this time slow motion is gone but still the video is  dark and patchy because due to nokia’s video camera…

about data, for one hour browsing through google news items just not more than one rupee charged .. charges always in fraction..so i am using 500 Recharge card without top up for the past 5 months , solely for browsing the news while travelling in metro trains..The people who lived in the hell of 2 G GPRS  can only apprised this good speed of 3 G and only they can enjoy its benefits. (remember how we all in the sancharnet era dialup with 56kbps modem just crawling at 10 kbps, than when maran throw 2 Mbps ADSL connection with 500 night un limited plan and UL900(now UL750)

So far as I have not any dedicated data plan , but two days ago I recharged with 4200/ (for sixmonths)  The officer asked me whether I want datacard.. As I don’t know how much speed that I got, I said no, but intended to use my nokia as usb modem with my PC ..

after configuring the 3 G settings in my ubuntu, just fireup it , and disappointed..I am getting just 2KB and 5 kB only..Because 3.5G just one bar appear(rather flickering) then go back to Edge(E) mode.. So I go to settings menu then tick the networks as ‘UMTS’ instead of ‘DualMode’.(Dual mode only work if you have strong 3 G signal minimum 4 bar)

This time I was stunned to see my torrents and my computer gone to gracy.. see the shots..

After 5 hours running this show burn 3 linux cd and two torrents worth 1.5 GB but one of the draw back is halfway my nokia battery dead, and heated like hot potato… So my advise is if you want heavy download purchase data card, dont use your phone..another draw back is as i am dead signal area the bar is counting 1,2,3 then dead, Ubuntu announced network disconnected.. only way again connected is draw out the USB cable from PC then again plug it) this is Linux basis proplem i am not aware how it happened in windows, perhaps it automatically reconnected?

so folks this is not full review i wish to get 7 Mbps card and test it in full3G signal available area..

another note is , speed is coming only during night between 10 to morning 7 a.m( maximum speed registered is 395KBps) after wards  average 60KBps occasioal peak at 200KBps)

although I don’t recommended BSNL datacards(Terracom) but one advantages is BSNL is issuing new cards whoever returning as faulty.. i am not aware how the other 3 G card dealers are accepting the return.. You may read out the return policy of them before buying ..

good luck folks,

with regards,

vaithy