India Magazine

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited launched 3G service in Chennai on November 23rd 2009 – it’s first launch in South India.

3G is capable of transmitting high speed data, voice and video transmission which helps subscribers to surf net at high speed, watch online TV, download files faster and make video calls with a 3G supported handset.

As a promotional offer BSNL is offering video calls at 30 paisa per minute and data at 1paisa per 10kb or Re 1 per MB.

As usual we received the BSNL 3G SIM without any manual or instructions. The agent said it will become active within 24 hours. But as a surprise it got activated within few minutes of purchase and able to make and receive calls.

There was no instruction about setting up the 3G. Then we searched the net for configuring BSNL 3G and followed the instructions found in some sites.

Send an SMS to 58355 (toll free) with phone model number. (Eg : NOKIA N97 to 58355).

Then received a return SMS saying that configuration files received and phone successfully configured for BSNL 3G services. But Internet didnt work. When tried to connect it said Please subscribe to packet data first. So we decided to wait for 24 hours.

Even after 24 hours no SMS or information from BSNL so we called up the customer care then they said configuration is not downloaded properly that is why this error message is coming. They said they will send the data after few hours.

Again we started trying with different options found on net like gprsnorth3g.bsnlmobile.in, bsnlnet, gprs3g.bsnlmobile.in, gprssouth.cellone.in etc

Finally gprssouth.cellone.in worked and it downloaded more configuration details from BSNL server.

With the Nokia phone we tested BSNL 3G SIM was able to upload and download files at very good speed like a fixed line broadband connection.

Only thing is nothing documented properly like supported phones, activation procedure etc may be because it is still in the early stages. But overall it is very good in terms of speed and value for money as BSNL is charging just Re 1 per MB compared to GPRS (most of the GPRS providers charge Rs10 per MB).

So if you are looking for a mobile internet then 3G is a good option as it is fast and reliable. Once the spectrum allocation process is over more providers will enter the market and hopefully that will trigger a price war in the 3G similar to mobile voice sector and that may bring down 3G tariff further to more affordable rates.

Technology, Telecom 3g, 3g india, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, BSNL, GPRS

What is 3G ?

3G  refers to the third generation of mobile communication technology. 3G offers high speed data transfer rates, video calls, mobile tv, video conferencing, video on demand with improved security.

The major 3G technologies are EV-DO for CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) networks and HSDPA for GSM (Global System for Mobile communication) networks.

3G in India

In India State Player Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited launched 3G in some parts of the country recently. Government of India is yet to finalize the 3G Spectrum Allocation. Private Telecom Players can enter the market only after that process.

BSNL 3G Promotional Offers

BSNL’s 3G SIM (called USIM or Universal Subscriber Identification Module) comes with a price tag of Rs 120 with a validity of 180 days and free usage of Rs 20.

As per the latest data available from BSNL (as on 28th Nov 09) it is available in two plans – 3G general plan and promotional plan.

In General Plan Local on-net calls are priced at 50 paisa per minute and local off net calls at 70 paisa per minute. In promotional plan it is 30 paisa and 60 paisa respectively.

In promotional plan all local video calls at 30 paisa and all std video calls at 50 paisa per minute.

The most important thing is data charges are priced at 1 paisa per 10kb. ie Re 1 per MB. or Rs 1000 for 1GB. This is in very cheap compared to the current GPRS plans which charges 1 Paisa for 1KB.

Recharge Vouchers

Recharge vouchers are similar to normal prepaid connections – Rs 110 recharge voucher will get a usage value of Rs75.

Promotional Offers

Also BSNL offers some time limited promotional offers to attract more 3G customers like

50 Minutes free local video call will be allowed to all new 3G prepaid and postpaid connections activated upto 31.12.2009.

Customers purchasing 3G Data card from BSNL and activating the same will get free data usage of 6 GB per month as 1GB day/any time and 5GB night usage for two months, as a promotional measure for 90 days w.e.f. 15.08.2009.

Summary

After 3G Spectrum Allocation more players will enter the market and which may lead to further tariff reduction as the entry of  Tata Docomo recently triggered a tariff war in the Mobile Phone voice Tariff which implemented Pay Per Second scheme and reduced call rates.

Technology 3g, 3g india, 3g tarriff, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, BSNL, cdma, ev-do, gsm, hsdpa