Feb 14, 2013 11:23 AM
16644 Views
About the product & services -
I have been a recent subscriber of the Idea 3G Data Card (branded as Idea 3G NetSetter) in Mumbai. I opted for the same as the 3G Data Card (Huawei Model-303d) was economically priced at Rs. 700, and the tariff starts from Rs. 250/pm for 1Gb Free usage for the month. As I travel often, I had been using a Tata Photon+ Data Card & connection which seemed to be slow when in smaller cities. The difference between the two is that Tata Photon+ works on CDMA technology, while Idea 3G NetSetter operates on GSM (3G) technology.
The world over CDMA is used for data traffic, while GSM is used mainly for voice traffic, as the CDMA technology is more spectrum efficient, and also better suited for data traffic compared with GSM. Though I have been trying to use the Idea 3G NetSetter Data Card for sometime now, even in Mumbai city, it has never given my the promised speed as it almost always operates on the slower 2G EDGE tech rather than the WCDMA which is the real 3G tech (the Huawei Data Card it operates on is capable of speeds upto 7.2 Mbps).
Noticed in the NetSetter program that speeds vary between 0-10 kbps over EDGE network, and rarely do I get the WCDMA network even in prime locations in Mumbai. Hence, I have decided to close my 3G account with Idea and continue with the Tata Photon+ connection, though it is more expensive at Rs. 450/pm for 2Gb (lowest postpay tariff).
Hence, my review summary of Idea 3G NetSetter Mobile Data Connection in brief is as below -
Pros -
Idea 3G Data Card is economical compared to CDMA Data Card which cost about Rs. 1200
Tariff Plans of Idea 3G connection in Mumbai start from Rs. 250/pm with 1Gb Free usage. Most other popular 3G / CDMA-based Data Card connections charge min Rs. 450/pm for 2Gb. So, for low usage, Idea seemed more economical.
The 3G connection was activated in 48 hours after physical verification of address & documents submitted at Idea Store
Cons -
Idea 3G NetSetter NEVER offers the promised speeds of a 3G network, as it connects & stays with only the lower speed of EDGE which barely offers 3-4 kbps. Too slow for even casual surfing.
Gets disconnected each time it tries to switch between 3G (WCDMA) and 2G (EDGE) networks. One has to use the option to "reconnect automatically when disconnected" thru the NetSetter s/w
Impossible to surf even common websites like GMail, Yahoo to check mails. as Idea 3G operates mostly on EDGE network which is extremely slow, to put it mildly
Unlike CDMA-based Data connections which offer Free All-India roaming, 3G connections have higher tariff while on 'roaming'
In conclusion, I would like to mention that one would be better off opting for a CDMA-based Mobile Data Connection from reputed operators who have a wide network, rather than experiment with a 3G connection from any operator, as most don't have a good track record in this regard. If at all one needs to opt for a 3G connection on Data Card, it's better to opt for a pre-paid connection which one can close if the services are not satisfactory. I welcome comments from those who have had a better experience than I did, who can suggest better options based on personal experience.
