The Best 3G Plans in India... And the Winner is..

With 3G exploding all over the country picking the right plan can be a little harder than it looks. This is especially true since we have to deal with a plethora of service providers and their in-your-face-ads.

With 3G exploding all over the country picking the right plan can be a little harder than it looks. This is especially true since we have to deal with a plethora of service providers and their in-your-face-ads. Airtel, Vodafone, BSNL (MTNL), Idea et al have come up with a massive range of plans to ‘help’ us consumers, but it can be quite a confusing task for some. With 3G being quite expensive, choosing the wrong plan would mean an instant increase of a few Thousands in your bill. It’s imperative to make the right choice and that’s what we are here to help you with. We’ve analyzed all the available plans in five of India’s metropolitan cities viz. Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata and Bengaluru. We’ve computed a comparison chart on the current available plans on the basis of three different user profiles: Low-end users, Intermediate users and Advanced users. Each of these profiles have a separate plan for BlackBerry as well, just in case that’s your preference. We’ve also created two separate comparison charts for pre-paid and post-paid users. To give you a better idea of what we mean, here’s a short description of the profiles we’ve taken into account – Low-end users – People wanting to access basic e-mail, social network and chat on the go, all fall into this category. We’ve capped off the data usage patterns up to 2GB per month with video calling of 100 minutes. Intermediate users – This category comprises of individuals wanting ‘more’ out of their mobile internet connection. Their usage includes office email synchronization, access to multiple accounts simultaneously, increased social networking, video calling, downloading of games and applications; and occasional tethering to use 3G services for internet connectivity on other corresponding devices. The usage patterns we’ve identified for this profile are up to 5GB per month with video calling of 200 minutes. Advanced users – This last profile would includes people who require high levels of data usage. Besides the usual social networking and multiple email accounts these users would also use services for intensive video calling, frequent downloading of a range of applications and sending and receiving emails that contain large attachments of data like presentations etc.Accessing and downloading files off of Cloud-based services like drop box etc. and tethering or sharing of their 3G connection by using a device as a modem or Wi-Fi hotspot would be characteristic of those in this profile. Their usage patterns have been set at 6GB and above with video calling of around 500 minutes. Based on the parameters mentioned, choose your profile, select if you're a BlackBerry user (check box) and choose your city from the list. The best available plan will simply show up in the box below. If you happen to be a post-paid user and prefer to stick to that, you need to follow the same procedure in the box below. Depending on your location, the plans will vary. There are also other plans that vary on a daily basis so you might want to check with your service provider before getting into anything. The plans we’ve selected currently cover five of the main areas in India. However, please understand that prices and plans will vary with the state and the city you currently are in. Also, mobile network operators are known to change plans without prior notice, so that should be another factor to be taken into consideration. Always check with your provider for more information.

BSNL Launches Voice & Video over Broadband (VVOBB)

After the launch of IPTV and 3G services in the recent past, BSNL have now tied up with IT solutions provider, Sai Infosystems India to introduce voice-and-video facility on BSNL's broadband service. This voice-and-video service will cover a wide spectrum of telecom services like video telephony, conferencing and integrated mobile advertising. 

Another sector where this technology could be of use is security. Video telephony also offers video surveillance, which could help substitute analog CCTV systems with security systems using IP cameras.

VVOBB Tariff Plans

A range of phone equipment from simple to high-end models will be launched for enabling this service. A PC is not required for making calls. The connectivity for the service will be provided by BSNL. 

Although video telephony has been widely available in other parts of the world, till now it has been mostly restricted for business purposes. BSNLs foray into voice-and-video over broadband (VVOBB) for homes seems like a fresh initiative to provide its users with additional facilities for audio-visual communication.

TATA Docomo Introduces Facebook, Twitter Access via USSD

Social networking access seems to be that one important feature that would complete a mobile service. Taking a cue from this, one of India’s rapidly growing mobile service providers, Tata Docomo have announced their USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) based access to popular social networking services like Facebook and Twitter. According to a report in TELECOM TALK, the catch here is that users will not have to subscribe to any data plans to avail these services.

Now, USSD-based access

By dialing *325# and *515#, users will be able to access Facebook and Twitter – can see and post status updates, post comments, poke, like, among others. In order to subscribe to Twitter, the user can dial *515#. On reaching a landing page, hereafter, customers can punch in their Twitter details, and begin tweeting. Facebook services, on the other hand can be accessed by dialing *325#, and like mentioned before, users can enter their details on the landing page that follows.

Airtel, Vodafone and Idea Lock Pan-India 3G Service Agreement

It’s official now. According to the reports, India’s premier mobile service providers – Vodafone Essar, Bharti Airtel and Idea Cellular have gone full throttle with their plans of rolling out revolutionary 3G Roaming services in the country, on a massive scale. Interestingly, the 3G Roaming services are being planned not only on a massive scale as far as the reach is concerned, but also in a manner that is not too heavy on the pockets of the average Indian.

Let's hope the prices drop

Signing on the dotted line of the ICRA (Intra – circle roaming arrangements) agreement, the leading telecom trio has agreed to roll-out the 3G services by using each other’s networks. Vodafone Essar has got into what it calls a bilateral agreement with Bharti Airtel and Idea Cellular to bring forth to the customers 3G services, across major demographics. For example, Bharti Airtel that has a considerably widespread presence in the country doesn’t possess a 3G presence in Gujarat. A void, it hopes to wipe out with its agreement with Vodafone Essar and Idea Cellular.

Each of these 3 telecom giants have bagged 3G licenses in various parts of the country. Bharti Airtel owns 3G licenses for Delhi, Mumbai, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh (west region), West Bengal, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, the North East, and Jammu and Kashmir. Vodafone Essar, on the other hand has 3G licenses for Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh (east region) and West Bengal and Idea Cellular has 3G licenses for Maharashtra & Goa, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, UP (East) UP (West), Punjab, Haryana and Kerala.

It was only recently that these mobile service providers brought this service down to India.

Idea Cellular Fined For Acquiring Spice Mobile Discreetly

Fairly popular mobile service provider in the country, Idea Cellular, recently acquired Spice Mobile, another popular player in the Indian mobile service provider market. However, a report in The Times of India stated that Idea Cellular apparently did not disclose all of the details of their deal to acquire Spice and hence the Delhi High Court has slapped a fine of whopping Rs. 1 crore on Idea.

Bad IDEA..!

Furthermore, the Delhi High Court has also asked Idea Cellular to seek prior permissions from the Telecommunications Ministry, before it proceeds with the transfer of six telecom licenses, which it gained as an outcome of its deal with Spice. Idea, however denies accepting that there was any glaring error in its actions, and that it would appeal against the HC order. In a statement, Idea stated that, “Idea stands upright, has not suppressed anything at all, let alone willfully, and will appeal for what it believes is right.”

Tag Heuer Announces Lamborghini Ltd Edition MERIDIIST Handset

Inspired by the mythic Lamborghini Murci�lago, TAG Heuer, a world leader in luxury sports watches and Chronographs has teamed up with the famous Italian super sports car manufacturer to create the limited edition MERIDIIST Automobili Lamborghini phone. In tribute to the year Automobili Lamborghini was founded, 1963 pieces of this finely‐tuned device will be sold worldwide. ModeLabs Group who provided its expertise and know how in the development and the manufacturing of exclusive tailor made handsets. “TAG Heuer has revolutionized first timekeeping and now luxury mobile phone industry by finding technological inspiration in professional motor sports and Grand Tourism cars,” said Steve Amstutz, General Manager for TAG Heuer Communication Instruments. Housed in black titanium carbide coated 316L stainless steel, the design of the MERIDIIST Automobili Lamborghini phone references the super sports car down to its famed signature on the battery cover – the same as on the Lamborghini Murci�lago LP 640’s V12 engine block. The back of the device is engraved with its limited edition number while the keyboard is customized with Automobili Lamborghini’s trademark Taurus bull on the steel central button. The MERIDIIST Automobili Lamborghini phone is luxuriously crafted and detailed, combining some the most prestigious materials and advanced components in the watchmaking and automotive worlds. The display is made from 60.5 carats of scratch‐resistant sapphire crystal. According to the company the battery life is capable of offering users at least seven hours talk time or 28 days standby power. "The MERIDIIST Automobili Lamborghini phone epitomizes TAG Heuer consistency in inspiring and framing its diversification, combining technology and design, and partnering with the best sports car brands.. We are very proud of this new partnership with such a great brand as Lamborghini" added Jean‐Christophe Babin, President & CEO of the TAG Heuer Group. The TAG Heuer MERIDIIST Automobili Lamborghini phone will be available in November at selected TAG Heuer and Lamborghini retailers. Click here for the list.

Tata DOCOMO Introduces Rs. 2 Per Day 'Endless Music' Plan

Mobile service provider, Tata DOCOMO, has announced the launch of its music service, today. Called Endless Music, this service by DOCOMO is a part of their attempt to boost their VAS (Value-Added Services) segment. Beginning from today, users will be able to access a wholesome bank of music, complete with categories, sub categories of music, allowing users to listen to music endlessly throughout the day.

Now, get music endlessly..

Also, for a subscription charge of Rs. 2/- per day, devoid of any additional costs, the brand adds, users can download their favorite ring tones, and for a rupee extra, they would get access to download unlimited Call Me Tunes (CMTs). The service is being made available to users in both, the prepaid as well as postpaid segments. The service can also be auto renewed on a daily basis. To avail this customers will have to dial their IVR Short Code 59090, which is a toll-free number.

MTNL Launches Uniform Pay Per Second Plan in the Capital

Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited, or MTNL, one of the country's popular telecom services provider has now launched its latest scheme for its prepaid users. The scheme, called ‘Trump 3G – All in 1 Paisa’ prepaid pack for Rs. 97, currently available in the Delhi circle for MTNL’s GSM subscribers, comes packed with a lifetime validity clause, as well. The tariff plan The pack also includes a Pay per Second plan that is applicable to all Local/STD/Roaming (both, Video, as well as Voice services). This plan will remain active for a period of one year from the date of activation. The new prepaid subscribers will be the ones to benefit from MTNL’s uniform per second plans. MTNL, however, will roll the Pay Per Second plans for its existing users soon too. Users will be charged 1 paisa/ second for Local, STD, Roaming (details as per mentioned above), while users availing the 3G data usage services will be charged 1 paisa/ 10KB. SMS, on the other hand, would cost users 25 paisa for Local calls, 50 paise for National and Rs. 2.50 for International calls.