How to choose the right GPRS connection in kerala
78GPRS shootout in Kerala
As a person, who is constantly testing various GPRS data connections( commonly known as mobile internet ) in Kerala, I decided to make a review on the same.
There are four major GSM players in kerala. The state owned BSNL Cellone, Vodafone, Airtel and Idea. All the four GSM companies are having facilities of GPRS data on their network. To decide which one of them is the best option, I have taken into consideration the following factors
- Network Availability
- Price and options
- Speed
- Reliability
- 3G and EDGE availability
Network Availability :
Eventhough the state owned BSNL (Cellone) is having the highest network availability among the four, companies like Vodafone and Idea are also providing almost the same network coverage. Since network coverage varies from place to place, I can't make a decision on the same. I would suggest each one of you to check the networkavailability of all the companies in your area. The higher the network availability, the higher will be the quality of service. Atleast 60%(3-4 points) signal strength can be considered as a good connection.
Price plans and Options :
Plans available on all the four major players are different. I would suggest you to have an unlimited data plan, if you use internet for downloading and VOIP applications. For those who use it for just viewing or sending e-mail, a limited plan is adviceable.
Among the four companies Vodafone is not having an unlimited data plan as per my knowledge. So it is not adviceable. So Vodafone is out of scope for those who are looking for unlimited plans
All the other 3 companies have unlimited data plans. In kerala Cellone is charging Rs. 199 for unlimited data plan ( only for postpaid connections ). Airtel and Idea charges Rs 250 each for unlimited plans.
Speed :
Speed of a data conection depends on a lot of factors, in which the most important factor being the priority given by operators for data connections. Cellone has a consistent speed of around 40-48 kbps ( dowload speed of 5-6 KBPS ). Airtel has a slightly less speed of around 32-38 kbps ( download speed of around 4-5KBPS ) and Idea is offering speds around 15-170kbps ( download speed of 2-22KBPS ). You can see that Idea offers the highest speed, but the least consistent connectivity.
3G and EDGE availability :
3G has not been rolled out by any of the cellular operators in India. All the existing cellular operators are having their network ready for 3G and are waiting for govt. approvals. Airtel and Cellone has EDGE in selected cities. So if you are planning for Airtel or Cellone, confirm the availability of EDGE in your tower. Almost all the towers of Idea have EDGE capabilities, thats why they are providing very high top speeds.
Verdict :
As per my tests, I would say that Cellone will be the most cost effective and reliable network option for postpaid users.
For prepaid customers, Airtel will be a better option, since Cellone doesn't have any unlimited plan in prepaid.
Idea will be good for thos who are ready to wait and pray for their luck to get good download speeds
Various GPRS Plans
- Cellone postpaid GPRS tariff
Cellone postpaid GPRS tariff plans available in kerala - Vodafone Tariffs
Vodafone Tariff Plans - Idea Tariff Plans
Idea Tariff Plans in Kerala - Airtel Tariff
Airtel Tariff Plans
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Comments
Arun, you told their about waiting till mid night?... Its really useless.. Now i am having a download speed of 2kbps and sometimes 0.5 kbps :D
Its really--- " An Idea Can Change Your Life"
Hi, Aravind... thats what I was also trying to say, regarding Idea GPRS. The thing is that the speed of GPRS depends on the no. of data channels they are using, even if the network is edge compatible. Idea is giving more priority to its voice network than data, thats the reason for slow speeds. And yes, it depends on place aso. So I'd never ever suggest Idea GPRS for those who are frequent browsers
hi aravind, these days I noticed Idea GPRS is getting worser, even at nights am also not getting any commentable speed !!! So better stay from !!!
Hi,
I had been using Airtel and it was very difficult for me to get connected. When connected, it automatically disconnected afer a while. Also they decreased the period to 15 days for a Rs.274 recharge.Now I am using Idea and i am happy with the speed and connectivity.I never had to wait to get connected. I think airtel has the poorest network in kerala. So i suggest idea...
Hi,
i am having prob with my GPRS connectivity (airtel) off late. it says 'packet data connection closed by the network' repeated after connecting. pls help me if you have any solution.
thanks!
airtel unlimited gprs is 374 per month now. You might wanna correct that.
And airtel is connection is soooo inconsistent. And customer care is very poor.
Also takes 3 days for them to activate gprs.
airtel
274 rs -15 days unlimited
374 rs -30 days unlimited
This includes 3 days you spend waiting for settings to be delivered to phone.
Very poor service
Hi there..Iam a user of idea internet..it is good and the best when comparing to other provider.am getting an avg. of 25 kBps download speed when using DAP. and the video conferencing is also good when using skype.the prob is for new user the charge is 25/day.The idea is increasing their charge frequently.first it was 5/day then it comes to 9/d and atlast 25/day.i would recommend bsnl ev-do card which is only 550/month.The ev-do is oferring 2mbps speed for such an amazing price with unlimited download.Thankyou
airtel gprs onli 2700Rs on velideti in to life time free dowonload free sarchin oll web.. in to life time freeeeeeeeeeeeeee ane help pls call jasoliya10@yahoo.com
hai arun, i found your page useful. As i am not aware of any of the GPRS connections in Kerala, could you help me by suggesting an apt service provider. Do you think cell one ( i am guesing it i from BSNL) post paid is the best? and next would be airtel?. I read from the comments posted it looks like idea is the choice! As i would be in kerala for only 3 weeks getting a postpaid is not an option for me. Will my nokia 6110 works with these specifications?
Thanks
hey dude....the plans you have given is of some year BC.....
whazz the plans for now??
which you think is the best plan for 2009??and take these plans to hell.....
And FCUK U.... hack u.......u can either tak it or GO TO HELL URSLF...... think ur smrt huh....mak a page by urself & keep updating them instead of surfig thru old pages....dum ass
And FCUK U.... hack u.......u can either tak it or GO TO HELL URSLF...... think ur smrt huh....mak a page by urself & keep updating them instead of surfig thru old pages....dum ass
And FCUK U.... hack u.......u can either tak it or GO TO HELL URSLF...... think ur smrt huh....mak a page by urself & keep updating them instead of surfig thru old pages....dum ass
hi
There are many free gprs hack for airtel(T-shark) and forget the plans .Does any on know free gprs hack for vodafone in kerala
Airtel speed sucks
All Data plans now sucks In Kerala Airtel cost 174 for 1 week Unlimted.Vodaphone still dnt have a good plan for pc users.And despite the good speed and po0r and unstble network Idea charge the rocket high charge 35rs perday or 750 flexi rechrg!But any way mobile browsers can chill coz Airtel,Vodaphone,and Aircell have NOP plan for about 99rs per month for browsing via phone.But no pc connectivty with these plans.Still Idea and BSNL dnt hacve such plans.Aircell also have a nIce plans cost 17rs for 3Days but speed is looooow compared tio others.Any way Idea still leads the speed mark.Hop this critera will change when 3G Kicks off this year
All Data plans now sucks In Kerala Airtel cost 174 for 1 week Unlimted.Vodaphone still dnt have a good plan for pc users.And despite the good speed and po0r and unstble network Idea charge the rocket high charge 35rs perday or 750 flexi rechrg!But any way mobile browsers can chill coz Airtel,Vodaphone,and Aircell have NOP plan for about 99rs per month for browsing via phone.But no pc connectivty with these plans.Still Idea and BSNL dnt hacve such plans.Aircell also have a nIce plans cost 17rs for 3Days but speed is looooow compared tio others.Any way Idea still leads the speed mark.Hop this critera will change when 3G Kicks off this year
All Data plans now sucks In Kerala Airtel cost 174 for 1 week Unlimted.Vodaphone still dnt have a good plan for pc users.And despite the good speed and po0r and unstble network Idea charge the rocket high charge 35rs perday or 750 flexi rechrg!But any way mobile browsers can chill coz Airtel,Vodaphone,and Aircell have NOP plan for about 99rs per month for browsing via phone.But no pc connectivty with these plans.Still Idea and BSNL dnt hacve such plans.Aircell also have a nIce plans cost 17rs for 3Days but speed is looooow compared tio others.Any way Idea still leads the speed mark.Hop this critera will change when 3G Kicks off this year
any idea about new oprators like tata docomo & reliance gsm
Bsnl launches prepaid unlimited plans 20 perday and 230 for a month if you have edge network you are sure to have 15kB to 20KB(in and around 144kbps) per second download speeds on your edge phones but that depends on the place you live ofcourse..in some places the speed is terrible esp at peak hours ...just confirmed this news...
Hi,
im a new bie 2 kerala..
Can any1 suggest a plan 4 me.
I browse frequently.wat abt bsnl unlimitd for 230.
Is aircel 3 days unlimtd availble for 17rs
Yes, the other players are no where near BSNL. I am enjoying unlimited GPRS at 10 to 16KBps(80 to 128kbps appx,)from my laptop in Kozhikode city @ just Rs.199 per month on postpaid!!!
Aravind says:
2 years ago
Hi Arun
Now i am using idea internet connection. Before a few months idea again raised the Internet plan tariff. Now it costs 9Rs/- per day.. Its really hard!
Also their is an other problem. Some times i am havind a download speed of 20 - 25 kbps when using DAP. Its a good thing but their are some other problems.
Most of the time Idea is having some network problems.. "Packet data connection not available", "Packet data connection closed by network", "packet data connection authentification failed", "Network busy"... I still remember all of these notifications becoz i always see it!
What do you think now?