Pathik Shah

Again!

Today – 16/02/2010, MTNL has upgraded the speeds of its unlimited broadband plans. It seems to be doubling broadband speeds every six months.

These are the new tariff rates for the new Broadband plans.

MTNL Triband Tariff Plans – 16/02/2010

Triband 512 KBPS Unlimited –  Rs. 599
Triband 752 KBPS Unlimited – Rs. 749
Triband 1 MBPS Unlimited –  Rs. 999
Triband 1.34 MBPS Unlimited – Rs. 1599
Triband 2 MBPS Unlimited – Rs. 3999
Triband 4 MBPS Unlimited – Rs. 9999

Awesome! Who said PSUs in India can’t be competitive. Suck on it, Airtel and Reliance. Muhahaha!

MTNL Triband Tariff Plans

MTNL has launched the 3G Jadoo service in Mumbai today, May 15, 3 months after it was launched in Delhi. (MTNL 3G Plans – Delhi)

It’s just a soft launch, the commercial launch should happen in June.

The 3G tariff rates are expected to be the same as in Delhi. Yea, they still suck.

MTNL 3G Plans – Mumbai

- One Time Activation Charge – Rs. 500
- Monthly 3G Rental – Rs. 599
- 3G Data Monthly Service Charges – Rs. 149.
- Download Charges – Rs. 5 / MB

There hasn’t been any official announcement by MTNL yet. Details will be updated as soon as they come out.

MTNL launched 3G in Delhi officially, on Feb 5, yesterday. So finally 2 years after the USA and many other countries, we have 3G atleast in one city in India. Time to rejoice…? No!

MTNL has priced 3G services so exorbitantly high, that no one except the upper echelon of society will be able to use it. So much for the talk about bringing mobile internet to the masses.

The 3G Jadoo service by MTNL is priced as (MTNL 3G Tariff Rates):

- One Time Activation Charge – Rs. 500
- Monthly 3G Rental – Rs. 599
- 3G Data Monthly Service Charges – Rs. 149. (Still not sure what it means.)
- Download Charges – Rs. 5 / MB

You can check out the detailed tariffs here – http://mtnldelhi.in/dolphin/tariff_3g.htm

These rates are complete BULLSHIT. After paying Rs. 599 / Month, you still have to pay Rs. 5 / MB for downloads. 99% Indians can’t even afford the basic rental, the per MB download charges are just killing. What’s the use of having a 3.5 MBPS download speed, if you can’t download enough without getting bankrupt.

Currently, I’m using the Airtel NOP plan, Rs 2 / day for unlimited downloads. The speed is decent – around 10 kBps and net around 3-4 GB a month with moderate downloads. MTNL 3G would cost me Rs. 599 + 5*4000 = Rs. 20599. Not to say, that if the speed is actually 3.5 MBPS, one would normally download much more. There is no unlimited plan, even, for say Rs. 5000. Even that would be relatively acceptable (Not really).

Sorry to say, but this plan sucks. I’m hoping Airtel or Reliance roll out 3G / EVDO soon and give us better and competitive pricing with atleast one reasonable unlimited plan.

MTNL Mumbai has finally revised the Triband rates.

New MTNL Triband Unlimited Plans:

Triband 256 KBPS Unlimited – Rs. 999
Triband 512 KBPS Unlimited – Rs. 1599
Triband 1 MBPS Unlimited – Rs. 3999
Triband 2 MBPS Unlimited – Rs. 9999

While it still isn’t as cheap as MTNL Delhi, it is a good start.

I will be shifting on to the 256K UL plan soon, my current 849 NU plan has almost transformed me into a complete insomniac. And most of the times, the net conks off at nights when I plan to download stuff to sate my movie hunger. Finally, a good start to 2009.

Woohoooo!!

MTNL has finally launched 3G in New Delhi, India. It is just a soft launch yet, free for all users, but available only in select areas in New Delhi. The much awaited 3G service was inaugurated by the PM himself. It is named.. wait for it… – MTNL 3G Jadoo!!! WTF?

It should hopefully come to Mumbai in about 2 months according to some dudes from MTNL. <sarcasm> Greatly timed move, considering half the world is already planning to move on to 4G. </sarcasm>