Commented on sunilmansa's review
Apr 07, 2003 12:11 PM
(continued)...for a simple average GSM connection you approximately pay a minimum rental of 295+CLIP(50)+840(400*2.10) = 1185 for the same talk time buddy!.....work it out!!
Regarding your statement about its agreement with QUALCOMM....you have overlooked one very very important fact. The agreeme...nt is not a single agreement bu consists of TWO TRI-PARTY agreements, one between reliance-samsung-qualcomm and the other between reliance-LG-qualcomm. According to this agreement qualcomm reduces license rates for SPECIFIC LG and Samsung sets since RELIANCE is providing a BULK and continuous annual order as well as a seperate royalty to QUALCOMM..besides license fees being paid by LG and SAMSUNG....on their part, LG and SAMSUNG have agreed to stick to only specific models for this concession.
So....yes, reliance are getting their sets for as low as 2400 bucks!(read my review) and you CANNOT get your own set because if everybody got their own sets then Reliance wouldnt be able to fulfill their part of the agreement to purchase BULK number of sets from LG and SAMSUNG every year!!
You should realise by now that anything that comes in Bulk is much cheaper than a unique product. Even in this case, everybody is happy because of their deals in BULK. otherwise if people want something unique then its better to stick to GSM handsets!Read More
Commented on sunilmansa's review
Apr 07, 2003 12:06 PM
excellent piece of information there...
a couple of things that you could preferably keep in mind are given below however:
(a step by step analysis of your review)
yes they are looking for a very big customer base in india, in fact, in an interview with mukesh ambani, he explictly mentioned i...t. However, their customer base would not only include india mobile users but would also include many corporates, households, and small businesses. By the end of 2004, the same IT infrastructure used to carry India Mobile signals would also be used to enable internet connectivity, public telephone connectivity, B2B communications facilities and much more...(source:www.business-standard.com).
Another point to be noted is that you have said that GSM operators WONT allow (in your review) SMS from reliance free. So you CAN'T send.....
NOTE: the point is that reviews hold much more value when backed by hard existing facts...so no assumptions please!
Third point: regarding what you said that WORLD ROAMING is NOT possible on CDMA...please do some more research. For starters, check out the site given below:
http://www.qualcomm.com/press/pr/releases2000/press280.html
u will get your answers. Please not that development on the CDMA front is so fast that it is even comparable to that of the developments in IT segments.
Also, Global roaming is possible between standards as you can see from the link below:
http://www.gsmworld.com/news/press_2002/press_01.shtml
However, what is surprising is that as an end user of a mobile phone, how many people within the Indian population use the GLOBAL ROAMING facility? check out the statistics on the net for yourself....and you will realise that the issue of GLOBAL ROAMING isnt relevant at all when it comes to choosing a handset...
Fourth point: when you say 600 rupees for 400 minutes...you are talking about a lot of charge break-ups just like you wrote, how can you then say that it costs 1.25 per minute?
for a Read More
Commented on astlavaestlababy's review
Mar 18, 2003 06:03 PM
hey there guys!..where the hell did ya all get this info from?....i want some concrete evidence...like from the papers?...or from the net?...if from the net then what source?...
or is it just pure and simple speculation?!!....please remember here that even asking the local reliance WebWorld outlets... here in hyderabad hasnt helped me much bcoz nobody seems to be knowing the exact details of the scheme!!
thanks and PeaceRead More
Commented on dennyjos's review
Mar 18, 2003 03:31 PM
well, i think chinni has a point there.
Like everyone says, wait and watch is always the best option when it comes to going in for any new product or service!!...
But THAT is where the difference between Pioneer Subscribers and standard subscribers come into play...
One of the reasons it alw...ays seems that the pioneer subscriber gets a good value for his/her money is because he is taking the RISK on UNCHARTERED territory!
A simple analogy would be :
consider the launch of a new soap! sometimes they come up with the advertisement that says 'INRODUCTORY OFFER: BUY ONE, GET ONE FREE!!' out here also, they are doing the same thing Reliance has done, except in a much smaller way!!...and we have never noticed that!...unfortunately, Reliance, out of habit, is applying the same analogy to IndiaMobile!
Another VERY VERY IMPORTANT FACTOR that NOBODY has considered (read my review on RIM) as to why Reliance Mobile services are dirt cheap is given below:
Reliance is just using the Mobile Services as a launch pad for other telecommunications services throughout the country (ref: www.business-standard.com). Mukesh Ambani has EXPLICTLY mentioned that (quoting industry analysts also) by the end of 2004, the SAME fibre-optic infrastructure would carry internet, telephony, enterprise communications services, etc. throughout the country!!
Finally, i also am a user of Reliance Mobile Services. The network coverage here in Hyderabad is Excellent! connectivity is good!
All said and done i have no complaints!
Thanks and peaceRead More
Commented on dotcompals's review
Mar 18, 2003 12:36 PM
considering the fact that you have a genuine doubt, and in the spirit of brotherhood, i can try to answer your query:
Yes, it is possible to connect your phone to the PC. This option is possible on both the sets(black and white as well as color). However, Reliance does not provide the connector c...able as a standard accessory to the initial kit!
These accessories would be available at Reliance WebWorlds from the first of April tentatively. They would however cost extra. The cost of this particular connector cable is around 1000/- so be sure you need it before opting for it!
For more information please read the review by khajster titled 'Is is all worth it?' . You may probably find answers to all these there!
Thanks and peaceRead More
Commented on khajster's review
Mar 18, 2003 10:43 AM
thanks dude for giving information on the LG RD 2030 handset. Even i was on the lookout for the connector cable costs and other features of the handset!.....thanks once again...
One more thing Khajster...i am also from hyderabad but i think the connectivity issues have almost been sorted out...
re...liance - Airtel = done
reliance - hutch = done
reliance - tata = dont know
reliance - BSNL = done
lets hope for the best. happy talking!!
Thanks and peace
Read More
Commented on sirdj's review
Mar 18, 2003 10:18 AM
Very well written buddy!
One of the best and most indepth reviews here on MS. Totally unbiased and yet informative...thats the way to go!!!
A major point to be noted here is that what you have given is a genuine representation of facts AFTER owning a handset for yourself. A lot of reviews on MS ar...e based more on speculation rather than hard facts!
Keep up the good writing buddy. Ill definitely recommend it highly.
Thanks and peaceRead More
Commented on ajuk's review
Mar 17, 2003 10:43 AM
Im surprised that in this age of technology people will still compare only cellphone sizes to fix their rates!!
The India Mobile wins on both the grounds. One look at the phone will reveal that:
The LG RD2030 handset weighs only 83 gms which is much lighter than the nokia 3310!
the screen s...ize is almost the same but the resolution is much greater than the 3310!(compare the resolutions in pixels for yourself)
The RD2030 has all the features of the 3310 and much more!(i myself own a reliance mobile as well as a 3310!)
Some of the extra features are:
:polyphonic ring tones
:tone assignment
:data connectivity,etc.
The only thing of concern is the fact that none of the phones in the market today have the durability factor pitched in!...in this respect NOKIA PHONES are very rugged and damage resistant. But NOT TO WORRY! All reliance phones are insured against DAMAGE and THEFT! Read More
Commented on nishanth_nb's review
Mar 17, 2003 10:19 AM
Yes, i agree to the fact that CDMA technology is more advanced than the GSM Technology. The first versions of this technology had a lot of loopholes which led to its initial downfall. But QUALCOMM, the pioneer in this field, has made those corrections to bring out the CDMA 2000 1X standard which is ...much better than GSM. Also the only reason why roaming hasnt been provided in India for CDMA users is due to the Market wars!! in places like North America (where CDMA rules!) users can travel long distances across different states and are still able to communicate with their phones!
Also, correspnding to a voice rtansmission of 9.6kbps on a GSM, CDMA can provide speeds up to 144kbps. or more.
Please do your groundwork more carefully before making any speculations about technologies!!
also, I already have a Reliance handset and its service and features are awesome! I have even posted my review on reliance on MS. Check it out!
Thanks and PeaceRead More
Commented on kalind's review
Mar 15, 2003 05:42 PM
well...it seems highly unjust to comment on the fact that their services have loose ends...
first of all, their official launch of services are from April 1st!...anything before that is an added bonus...even if it is half done!
All R-World services are ADDITIONAL features to the Mobile Services.... Their presence or absence shouldnt be the sole reason to accept or Reject the Mobile!Read More
Commented on ackava's review
Mar 15, 2003 05:35 PM
sorry to see this happening here ...but....yep...the mobiles are already in the market...i have one too....have had it since the 2nd of this month...services are doing fine...though there were a lot of problems for 2 to 3 days out here....not getting connected at all...but one cannot blame them for ...this....u know what happens when it becomes possible to make std calls for free!!..he he he...well....now that they have removed the feature and 'fine tuned'(this is quoting you ferrari ;)) the network...things are pretty much the same as that of airtel or hutch.....for the rest we just have to wait and see what happens.....
technologically speaking...reliance is way above the rest.but the important part is whether they can carry it out well..without interference from cell operators and the govt.
thanks and peaceRead More
Commented on kapilchahal's review
Mar 13, 2003 01:14 PM
(continued from above)
Being a marketing person, I think it should be very easy to understand that this service is meant for people who are planning to STICK to a service, and COMMIT to it. They would at least use it for a few months rather than surrender the set immediately after taking it. People... who are unsure wouldn’t take the service at all!
Talking about Reliance getting the Mobile cheap in bulk!…what is important to YOU and ME, as an end user, is not how much their procurement cost is. In fact, if you do some research on the net like I did before I bought the service, you would notice that the SAME set that they claim costs 10,500 actually costs them 2400/- and not even 7,600 like you suggested. But that is beside the point! In the Market…YOU get the set elsewhere for Rs.10,500/- .
Again, according to your next paragraph, CDMA2000 1X infrastructure may be cheaper than a land line. But what is important to YOU as a user is the fact that getting a Mobile Alternative would and should definitively be costlier than a landline, be it GSM or CDMA! YOU PAY FOR YOUR LUXURY! How they do it is none of OUR concern!
For further details
Read More
Commented on kapilchahal's review
Mar 13, 2003 01:09 PM
well, getting into the crux of things, lets have an unbiased analysis of the offer :
Yes, The Mobile has to be returned to Reliance at the end of three years!
Reliance says that the Mobile is FREE!!...what they mean though (and this is their marketing gimmick!!) is that the Mobile is FREE...to ...use for 3 years!!! ...
SO WHAT?! which company would give you a mobile to use (even if on rent!) for three years?
Now, considering that they are charging for club membership fees....3000/- ...add to this the monthly finance charges of Rs.100/- ...that makes the total 6600/-
divide this with 36 months and you get an approximate value of 186 rupees per month
inference: You are paying 186 rupees as monthly handset rent...
One other thing that NOBODY has mentioned yet in MS (correct me if im wrong!) is that the handset is insured!!! ....
Now, typical insurance ranges from 2 to 5% of the total cost of any equipment.
So, 5% of 10,500/- = 525/- = 600/- approx. per year. Therefore insurance cost per month = 50/-
deducting insurance charges from 186 rupees, 186 - 50 = 136/-
NOW, getting a sleek, state-of-the-art, Java-Enabled, Internet-accessible Handset for a monthly rental of 130 rupees approximately is not a bad deal at all!
And even if you think that it is still too much then consider this: At the end of three years it would be better for you to give back the handset since it is gonna be TOTALLY SCREWED!....its gonna be THAT old and used, what with the cheap call rates and all!!!
Now for the 100/- club membership charges per month! Well, that’s the least you can pay for Internet Data access. It is all inclusive of information updation, addition, modification, maintenance, etc.
Another point. In case you want to surrender your set then YES…u LOSE 3000 bucks! However, you get back your post-dated cheques at a loss of:
40*36 = 1440/- The point is, if you are THAT unsure of sticking to a Provider then why the hell even THINK about taking it?!!
BeRead More
Commented on ferrari3692002's review
Mar 12, 2003 04:44 PM
like icomment mentioned, there are a couple of services that could be provided by GSM...one of them is that it is very easy to interface the GSM infrastructure with worldwide GPS to give rise to a system that can detect the location of a person to the accuracy of a few feet in diameter (approx. 15-2...0). In fact many providers in the US are already availing of this benefit. CDMA on the other hand, needs a costlier infrastructural set-up when it comes to interfacing with GPS systems...however, very very recently, QUALCOMM has introduced a cheap alternative to the older version for GPS connectivity.
One thing is certain however. Ultimately, the success of any provider (irrespective of technological constraints) depends on three factors:
Affordability of service
Quality of Service
Reliability of service
thanks and peaceRead More
Commented on bijutumba's review
Mar 12, 2003 11:42 AM
As a musician, what i personally perceive good music to be is not loudness...not even clarity!!....a sound system should be able to produce an exact replica of the original instruments being played elsewhere, within your living room, etc.
These things are so subtle to everyone that nobody notices ...it but subconsciously everyone perceives it nevertheless!!!...
other examples could include patents like AVLS in walkmans (auto volume reduction mechanism) to protect your ears, higher levels of low bass output (generally not heard unless you concentrate), etc.
Thanks and PeaceRead More
Commented on bijutumba's review
Mar 12, 2003 11:38 AM
well, this is in reply to it being said that reduction in the technological gap makes everything similar...
According to some personal research done by me on the net, i have learned of a few things...
One of the greatest technological breakthroughs by this company has been in the field of video ...displays...the sony patent 'trinitron technology' speaks for itself, the advantage being that pictures delivered by a trinitron picturetube are much sharper and accurately 'internally projected' than other tubes even today. Now dont get me wrong. it is possible to come close...very close...to this kind of display using other existing technologies but the only fault this brings up is that increasing picture tube contrast using other technologies would drastically shorten the life of the tube itself!!!...a SONY on the other hand can just about go on and on....i have had a SONY trinitron for almost 24 years without one picture tube problem...secondly, the clarity in contrast and brightness levels is still pretty much the same...
The second option would be to increase pixel resolution!..this on the other hand would make the tube itself almost 3 times costlier!!....
A look at the circuitry inside a sony walkman would reveal that as compared to other personal stereo systems, much more emphasis has been given to filtering and noise reduction circuits. The majority of components inside a sony walkman are Surface mounted and hardly one third the size of existing components in the market!!
At a time when almost all electronics companies are going in for the common mans perspective of things, SONY has constantly been doing what it does best: innovating!!! thanks to their technical expertise!...the name WALKMAN itself is a SONY TRADEMARK!! all others are called personal stereo systems!
As a musician, what i personally perceive good music to be is not loudness...not even clarity!!....a sound system should be able to produce an exact replica of the original instruments beinRead More
Commented on own review
Mar 12, 2003 09:44 AM
well, what people had been afraid of seems to have finally happened! yesterday i got this message from reliance that all local and reliance-reliance STD calls will be free till March 31st. Immediately after that somehow all lines seem to be busy...now anyone can understand how!!!...well its really s...ad that this had to happen...the entire reliance network is fully congested almost all the time....believe me, i tried to make a call to a local BSNL phone for 51 times consecutively!!! didnt get through...hope the situation improves when they start charging!!:(
Thanks and peaceRead More
Commented on own review
Mar 11, 2003 12:29 PM
yes milind i guess you are perfectly right in saying that Reliance has its own vested interest in the scheme of things! Also (and this is from personal experience!), when it comes to business, reliance is very very ruthless and cut-throat in its approach!
(just for information! - reliance almost bo...ught over L&T somewhere around 1994 by FORGING hundreds of signatures of existing L&T shareholders!!! can you believe that?!)
But they are ruthless ONLY TO THEIR COMPETITION!! ...so if you are on their bandwagon and on their side, chances are that you are safer than the rest!!;))
Secondly, no company would willingly go into a loss for no reason at all. so obviously reliance is making big money here!!...
Now over to answering some queries(kennyh)!
* 400 minutes are valid for all calls to all networks PROVIDED ALL INTERCONNECT ISSUES ARE SORTED OUT. According to sources though, as i said, TRAI has agreed to each provider levying a fixed access charge of 30 paise per minute to calls coming from another network to their customer. So any cellphone/WLL user will now have to pay 30paise per minute extra otyher than prevailing outgoing rates to make calls to other networks!(this includes reliance also) Hence, MOST PROBABLY, a one minute call from reliance to other networks would not cost 40 paise but 70 paise because they would have to pay 30 paise to the other network being accessed by you!!!
2)unfortunately,the handset will always be a property of reliance! they are only giving it to you on a 3 year rental basis!
3)Im from hyderabad...even my friends have had to wait for their set for almost a month now! i guess im just plain lucky;)...
you can always find out the status of your booking by calling *333 from a reliance mobile though!
Read More
Commented on ferrari3692002's review
Mar 11, 2003 10:45 AM
truly worked upon buddy!
a few minor opinions CDMA2000 1X is a 3G network all right. but the best advantage CDMA has over GSM is that THE NEXT STAGE of GSM evolution is GPRS, which is the final stage and unlike CDMA, GSM cannot go beyond that!! and GPRS is also NOT 3G but 2.5G (correct me if i am ...wrong)
On the other hand, CDMA2000 1X (which is already way more advanced!) can go all the way to W-CDMA (the ultimate in communications!) and GPRS is crap compared to that according to industry and technology experts!!
One more thing in support of this discussion(also posted on my opinion seperately):
Data access on the mobile hasnt picked up at all in countries like the US even with all the required infrastructure but there are 2 reasons for that.
1) The cost of data transfer fixed for these subscribers has been very high. On the other hand, reliance has made sure that data access is dirt cheap so that they can have people using all their services. they could even use it as their USP (selling point) in the future!!
2)For a very very long time all CDMA providers in the US shared the same CDMA network (taken from the internet). This was the QUALCOMM network!.Even now, 'verizon wireless' is still using the same network for CDMA connectivity. This network has become very outdated and congested due to the exponential increase in subscribers especially in North America! talk about giving a bad name to technology eh?;)
Thanks and peaceRead More
