3G is double edged sword for the operators. First they paid huge to get the spectrum, secondly 3G did not take off properly among the Indian consumers. For 3G operators mistook in many terms, they didn’t anticipate the failure of 3G on the contrary to very successful 2G, they probably did not estimate the cost for network expansion and spectrum buy out as well. So after nearly 2 years of 3G from private operators debuted in India, India does not see massive uptake of 3G.
Operators must note that recovering costs on 3G is not easy, and it will take time. All operators are offering plans at almost same tariff except MTNL which offers low-cost as well as some true Unlimited Plans with Home and Roam tariff without FUP, But MTNL is just in Mumbai and Delhi circles. In terms of private operators no Pan-India operator makes 3G a bad business case, even for the consumers.
Innovation can be the point for 3G growth, data plans can be tailor-made for each and every customers to attract them to use 3G. Following are some suggestions to 3G operators.
Network Expansion - More focus on Tier II & Tier III cities
Reports are saying operators are not expanding their 3G coverage at good pace, as they fear they may not get back their investments. Operators are waiting to see 3G to take off first in metros and then to surrounding region.
The people at tier II and III cities often get compromised broadband services. Give them the taste of wireless broadband via cheaper tariffs like night plans and weekend plans (read below).
Equitably Priced Data Plans
On 3G auction, different circles get different bidding prices, yet operators offering same tariff to all customers. Why a customer at Orissa pays the same price of a Delhi/Mumbai customer? So bring different plans for different circles, but restrict free roaming on these packs as this can lead to people using other circles’ SIM. So basically there will two kind of packs – roam free and home free packs, while home free packs will be way cheaper than roam free packs.
Night Plans & Weekend Plans
3G is something very new to many Indian consumers. I faced a question many times that what is 3G and 2G. So offer them something tempting. Bring night packs or weekend packs for 10GB on both at a very cheap price, say Rs 300 for a month. Even I would rather suggest to bring night true unlimited packs (in between 1-5 am) for Rs 250 for 30 days.
WiFi Offload – Extra data on WiFi
Aircel has launched WiFi services partnering SpectraNet. Even Airtel is also working on a WiFi service model. With usual tariff plans people will not be lured to use WiFi. So promote WiFi as extra data will be given if the subscriber uses WiFi instead of 3G mobile network. It will also help to cut down load on mobile network.
All packs are unlimited, FUP applicable
With 3G being so fast, subscribers may not able to keep track of their usage, so better than giving bill shock, make all plans unlimited with FUP applicable like Aircel. Those are on more than 5GB pack, give FUP of 256kbps (as BSNL giving with its Unlimited Plan) and other lower denomination packs gets 128kbps post-FUP speed.
Data top up
If you can remember the top up system when introduced in prepaid market it changed the concept on voice telephony. Why should not telcos approach to 3G with data top up. Airtel already tried SmartByte on 3G, 4G and broadband and this is damn costly. On topup 1GB data should not be priced more than Rs 50 and valid for main account validity.
Now if you think that my personal opinions are only for the subscribers, and no thought remaining for the operators’ profit, let me show you Idea Cellular’s 3G statistics. On 30th June 2012 Idea reported to have 3.1 million active 3G subscribers, average data usage stands at 375 MB per month and 3G data ARPU is just Rs 88. Compared to 10GB/month data usage in many early-3G countries In
Well the 3G scenario is same for 4G also, Airtel is reported to have only 3,000 around customers who opt for 4G services. We suggested some steps can be taken by Airtel. But being the only player in the 4G market Airtel probably took a note of those and waiting second player to come.
P. Abraham Paul December 1, 2012 at 2:52 am
As the world move on, advancement in technology happens and none can stop it. However, the new being ushered should be better in every respect than the old being discarded. The managers need to learn from what happened with Concord supersonic service. 2G GSM have been a success story across the world. 3G is great and then 4G shall be much better and LTE is super and more NGN are yet to come. It is all great business opportunity for Telecom manufacturers, their marketing gurus always hyping up the new. The wise ones in the business need to look where his business volume come from. Please see my blogs: Impact of transition from Voice to Data and Multimedia.
harman othee November 30, 2012 at 4:09 pm
basically the main cause for not popularing 3g is limited cellular companies in each circle with 3g licence. for example. in punjab bsnl, reliance, tatadocomo and aircel have 3g licence. but mostly users are using airtel and vodafone. and these companies dont have 3g licence in punjab. and mostly people dnt want to port their no. and would not use 3g service though they have 3g enables handsets.
Ashish October 7, 2012 at 11:21 pm
The problem with 3G is that it drains battery super fast because of poor network and the handset gets hot while using it
Tassavur October 7, 2012 at 6:09 pm
Dear Author,
Dont you think the operators can figure out similar plans themselves, or perhaps even better.
Its the cost at which these 3G licenses were acquired because of which the operators cant offer 3G services at windfall prices. They are forced to take out a certain margin with 3G because 2G services no longer enjoy the kind of margins to sustain continued growth. VAS margins have dipped as well due to the intense competion and deop in proces of 2G services.
So naturally the 3G prices will remain a little high for some time unless there adoption rate increases to allow the operators to introduce low cost plans and still enjoy profitable margins.
P. Abraham Paul October 7, 2012 at 4:28 pm
Make Telecom Systems, network, Phones, product and services for the common man.
PD September 29, 2012 at 8:20 pm
Absolutely correct…..! Tata docomo has reduced the 2G tariffs but their networks are “always busy” even in metros like Mumbai. Others, for example airtel (Mumbai) is now giving unlimited 2g for a month for just Rs.149/-. But after 2GB limit, in controlled speed ….??????????????. The operators have paid hefty sums to grease the palm of Raja and now have no money to buy 3G spectrum on their own. – Therefore some have made agreements to share 3G network. Unfortunately they can’t afford the cost for such arrangements and therefor will not lower the tariffs.
techfrick September 28, 2012 at 7:21 pm
absolutely, 2G internet service is in bad condition.. I noticed that the operators which have 3G licence are decreasing the quality of 2G internet as well as they are forcing customars to take 3G. They are doing it intentionally.
PD September 28, 2012 at 5:06 pm
The operators are interested only in making windfall profits with minimal investments in infra as well as for spectrum. Even the 2G services are in bad shape in many circles with metros exempted, so 3G and for that matter 4G will not find takers. May be data users go for 3G/4G and that too with an ‘eagle eye’ on the cost facator!
Abrar Shaikh September 24, 2012 at 9:40 pm
Well the operators can also offer data plans at a cheaper rate to the consumer if they consider limiting the speed to say 512 Kbps. I am sure surfing as well as video streaming needs of most users will be met.
krishnan September 21, 2012 at 11:21 pm
@sushil
of course the handset cost is a major issue…that cant be ignored.
Kapil September 20, 2012 at 10:20 pm
currently 3g spectrum is in 2100mhz which dont have good indoor coverage. 900mhz spectrum will launch in new auction. even in 2g 1800 mhz dont have good coverage in my home. i have all operators sim except mtnl. i have checked network on my nokia s40.
Loop and voda have 900mhz and all other have 1800mhz.
Loop and voda have 100% network while airtel 75-85, Aircel and idea 80-90, uninor 60-70, Tata docomo 40-50(td is now icra with loop provides good coverage).
After 900mhz spectrum in game will change…..
angchuk kapoor September 19, 2012 at 12:46 pm
I think the problem lies with cost , which is more as compared to the wired broadband,If 3g has to be popular then it has to be competitive with wired broadband .1000 rs for unlinmited net would be worth the price.
Logesh Kumar September 19, 2012 at 12:07 pm
Reduce d tariffs . den it ll be damn popular
sushil September 18, 2012 at 5:05 pm
the future is 3G is very poor, as to get this facility customer has to changed his handset and the service cost is more w.r.t. 2G. so unless atleast 25% of whole customes donot go for 3G, it will not be viable to operators.
Kamal September 18, 2012 at 2:31 pm
Main problem with 3G is coverage. In Kolkata Aircel, Reliance , BSNL and Vodafone have 3g licence. I have checked them all. Aircel is totally useless same as for Reliance. Few of my colleague have frustated by taking their service and opted for others. Vodafone better among them in Kolkata. First they need to improve coverage then any other issues to attend later.
techfrick September 18, 2012 at 2:00 pm
but they can give 30gb at the same price.. 30 gb will not affect their towers
anupam September 18, 2012 at 11:05 am
3G cost too high .. @1000 unlimited they give FUP een bsnl while it is unlimited (100 GB mm ) for landline
C K Swain September 18, 2012 at 6:58 am
In INDIA where 45 people out of 100 is covering under Below Poverty Line how can you espect the growth of 3G and 4G service than 2G. It’s also not affordable by lower middle class. The Device and Service both should cheaper than the current sinario. Then 3G will be popular in India.
krishnan September 18, 2012 at 12:07 am
As to lower the 3G tariff may not be a viable idea for any operators who have paid crores of rupees for this spectrum.
But the real problem here is “Aam admi” dont know what the real 3G speed is….
So they have to experience what they are missing….
For that :-
1.Promotional offers are to be given for a week or like festival offers to be given.
2.For new customers or Ported In customers should be given promotional offers for first few months(say three).
3.All the 2G customers should be given 3G speed for short period freely, so that they can realize what 3G speed is
Once they started enjoying the 3G speeds,the 3G customer base will increase thereby operators can reduce 3G tariff.
suneel September 17, 2012 at 11:24 pm
Problems faced by Telecom Operators are..
1. First of all, 3G tower cant cover more than 1km radius. Where as a 2G tower can cover even 10km radius.
So to cover the whole 10km radius, how many 3G towers do we need..?
2. If you install 3G towers only near crowded areas and if you move away from those areas, can you get good 3G Signal Strenth to browse at 3G Speed..? (Slow internet on the move and they cant install as manay towers as required..)
3.
Ramesh Darji September 17, 2012 at 12:31 pm
Nice article Rudrapratap. Best thing for cheap 3G is do R&D and telecomtalk team has to suggest some such option trick also. I am using Tata docomo in gujarat and recharge 246 and 4 for 1GB data and 219 talktime. Now some people want to use only for 3G data then what about balance? or Why to recharge with everytime if no use of balance.
Still I have trick where u can use your own balance for activation and so it will cost only Rs. 35. Tata has removed option of own balance from main page, but if you go to online recharge and then if you select 3G recharge option, there 246 recharge option is there and there you can use own balance option. So need to recharge everytime. This is applicable where tata has 3G coverage. Also this applicable in roaming. I am using the same in mumbai also but for 2G.
Avinash M September 17, 2012 at 11:30 am
Operators should give service at an affordable price then only it will be an hit, or else it will be a loss in-turn to them.. i.e. After setting up the infrastructure of that technology and if only few people use it then there is no meaning.. And about its popularity – when the service becomes affordable it will automatically become popular.
sam September 17, 2012 at 11:20 am
If operators provide 5GB 3G data at INR 500, the scenario will change. For wired broadband 256 and 512 kbps still remains the minimum speed and these companies charges 500 to 649 INR for unlimited downloads. Currently I use MTNL 3G of 1GB data for INR 76 for 7 days, and thats enough for me by which I get 4GB data for INR 300 a month. So either customers should keep on searching for the cheapest option OR operators should provide more GB in the FUPs, rather than keeping GB low…
Ganesh Srinivasan September 17, 2012 at 10:18 am
Recently I was coordinating with Airtel for getting wired and wireless broadband to our flat complex of 500 flats. About 350 are serious customers
Their 3G and 4G signals are very much available in our area which means infra already exists
Yet they were very keen to dig and lay cables for over 5 kms to cover the entire flat complex – which by itself costs a lot
Rate wise the plans were comparable for example for Rs 999 there is an unlimited 4G plan (with FUP of 6 GB) and a very similar plan is available for wired plan although at 2 Mbps speed (in our tests the 4G gave us steady speed of 11 Mbps)
In the end the initiative got aborted as there were restrictions for digging and cable laying
In my opinion there is a change of mindset needed with the telecom operators – wireless 3G / 4G is still perceived to be an “add on” Internet access medium instead of being the “primary” Internet access medium
After all the same companies offer comparable and similar broadband plans on wired and wireless options
Summary: change of thinking required to make wireless as primary Internet access medium
Jhupoo September 17, 2012 at 8:13 am
Bsnl can give us proper network,
they have huge proper infrestructer.
Bsnl’s bad network its a scam.
Everyday a new scam pop out. Some day surely this scam will bust out by some news agency.
What we gonna expect from the govt….. Manu darling never take step.
Big upset, when i heard the a sort of private conversation tape of Nira Radia& Ratan Tata in news channel before it was banned,they are talking about who becomes next telecos mins for their profit.
What we gonna do nothing but shouting internet.
Yesterday, our home mins has said , Indian people forget boforce scam surely they will forget COALGATE SCAM.
ARE WE FORGET????
WILL WE FORGET??
G.p.kirankumar September 17, 2012 at 12:58 am
Such good and grate artical wiil operator think in the matter with the help arical is say ing that improving the business 3g but operator will show the taste of 3g to their customers
vijay September 17, 2012 at 12:42 am
Make the price of data on 3g and 2g same and then you will see the change. increase the price of 2g gprs a little and decrease 3g data plan price a little.
One more thing stop cap on 2G. previously i was getting upto 280kbps on reliance in 2g gprs plan, now only upto 64 kbps, so i thrown the sim.
Kunal September 17, 2012 at 12:08 am
I switched to MTNL 3G recently and found it better than its 2G network, though indoor coverage is still an issue due to low penetration on that spectrum, but it easily switches from 3G to 2G and vice versa. I usually get 2.8 mbps speed everywhere (in mumbai)
shivlu jain September 16, 2012 at 11:48 pm
now operators must convert 2g subs to 3g.
sand87 September 16, 2012 at 11:39 pm
@ Vivek
Bsnl stopped offering unlimited coz some people started taking advantage of the plans.at one place no calls were able to be made under a certain tower as people were downloading extensivly
Vivek September 16, 2012 at 11:15 pm
Really its gr8 Article.
Worth Reading.
But I would like to say that most of these 3G plans r designed by some old age uncles who r mentally retarded and physically too. they think that internet means only Emails. they might even dont know wats Youtube and Torrents downloads.
Just think Rs 450 for 2 GB? really no one interested in it.
if u give 20 gb in same price then u can transfer nearly 60% of ur 2G consumer to 3G.
BSNL was offering unlimited 3G at just Rs 1500 per month before 3G was launched by any other companies. and now bsnl also have increased their price. must smelling another scam between corporates and govt.
dont know wen can we have better and faster internet experience.
Lovegin September 16, 2012 at 11:12 pm
below are the main issues of 3g players that makes people rejects this service
1.non availability of constant speed which they offer
2.high charge ,tariff should come 1gb for 50rs, with mininmum seped of 1mbps
3.less coverage- coverage problem
4.unlimited scheme with hidden agendas
Huxley Dcruz September 16, 2012 at 10:39 pm
AIRCEL’S new innovative 3G plans has made me to switch from Docomo2G to Aircel3G. I am not worried if my 3G data limit gets exhausted as I can continue using unlimited 2G data offered by AIRCEL 3G PLANS. Aircel’s offers cheapest 3G data plans after MTNL. All others should try to replicate AIRCEL way of 3G DATA PLANS
Nilay September 16, 2012 at 10:03 pm
Is CDMA EVDO Rev A 3G based technology??
Kanaga Deepan N September 16, 2012 at 9:42 pm
Well done RDB… Great post as always… Congrats and Keep it up…
Sayantan September 16, 2012 at 8:38 pm
vodafone ought to privide free 3g activation,in prepaid atleast.
raj September 16, 2012 at 8:26 pm
The biggest problems is plans of 3g 3g is not good in small places but better in big places if companies gives some ulm plans and lim plans then people where 3g is good they will leave 2g and take 3g permanently also companies will recover their cost then expand networks than canbe only way if they thinks making all indian 3g will make 3g go then its is full wrong first where 3g is launched and good their should be plans to be used if they gives one gb for 500 rs who will take it even speed is good people will think better to use 98 rs 1 gb
Amitabh Banik September 16, 2012 at 8:22 pm
@ rajiv Hopeless speed Aircel Assam Network.
titu kalra September 16, 2012 at 8:16 pm
the main problem customers are facing is that 3g network is not available everywhere. People would pay happily if they get googd service. I activated 3g on my phone but reception of 3g is so poor that phone remains in 2g mode for most of the time. Then why customer should pay for 2g at price of 3g?
Abhijit September 16, 2012 at 8:08 pm
Nice Analysis.. Yes, 3G roll out is very slow except IDEA in Rest of Maharashtra circle..
Now take Tata Docomo who was first in private operators to Launch 3G service in Maharashtra circle but today Docomo is worst in 3G coverage. IDEA & BSNL are better & Vodafone is okk..
My hometown has BSNL, IDEA & VODAFONE 3G services active & presence also but still NO DOCOMO 3G here !!!
And Speed wise Vodafone 3G is very best here..
Vodafone Download speed touching to 8.50Mbps & upload speed up to 4Mbps.
Idea Download speed touching to 5.50Mbps & upload speed up to 3Mbps.
BSNL Download speed touching to 2.50Mbps & upload speed up to 1.5Mbps.
Sudhakar September 16, 2012 at 7:23 pm
To Rajiv :
Here in Tamilnadu Aircel gives constant 16 KB/s (128 Kbps) speed in 3G after FUP.
rajiv September 16, 2012 at 7:02 pm
recently aircel 3G internet pack of 50MB @ rs 8. but fail keep the promise. just fail because if poor network.
they should bring cheap 3G data traiff with good marketing police
example
1 GB @ rs 100 for days @ 3.6mbps
1 GB @ rs 200 for days @ 7.2mbps
1 GB @ rs 400 for days @ 14.8mbps
and advertised by sms , tv ad
Amit Kumar September 16, 2012 at 6:41 pm
Telecom operators over estimated the demand and ended up paying heavily for the spectrum for a market which is cost-conscious. Operators ( Aircel, Bharti and Reliance) paid 42 crore each for 3G licences in Assam but the rates for the services are almost at par with that of Delhi.
Sudhakar September 16, 2012 at 5:24 pm
To Saurabh :
Device upgrade is not at a problem for 3G. People buy cheap modems which offer only 3.6 Mbps and they complain that device upgrade is costly. People should use 6th sense on buying modems. Huawei E182E offers upto 21 Mbps download and 5.76 Mbps upload speed. Which 3G network in India is providing full 21 Mbps DL and 5.76 Mbps UL speed?.
Do not keep limited spectrum as the reason. The operators are there to suck money illegally from the customers. The speed of 2G GPRS in most of the operators in India has come down because of the operators’ compulsion on the customers to move to 3G. Will you say that 2G spectrum has become limited in this case?.
Even wired broadband speed is nearly 95% to 100%. Why can’t the operators offer 100% bandwidth in 3G?. Think.
Falgun September 16, 2012 at 5:18 pm
agree
Saurabh September 16, 2012 at 4:50 pm
@Rudra, 70 percent of the points you made are already discussed via comments but you have done a good job by compliling the ideas in just one post as operators or their trackers on web don’t have enough time to read individual thoughts and having a one single article can make some of them read.
I’ve always been of the view that why a subscribers in B or C category circle pay the same cost for plans a user in A category circle is paying when License fee paid by operator for B or C category circle is much much less? I also discussed it here when first private Tata Docomo started 3G that why they kept the price similar in all 9 circles where they have 3G?
I remember when there was no data price war in telecom sector 2G plans used to price differently for every circle. Take example of Idea- For unlimited 2G pack in 2008, Idea was charging Rs.1000 in Mumbai and Rs.950 in Delhi. Same plan in Haryana/Punjab/Rajasthan/UP was available for Rs.500/month or Rs.20/day. Later it was reduced to Rs.10/day and in C category circle like Himachal it was available for Rs.275 only.
I bought Idea SIM when they introduced Rs.10/day pack in 2008 in Haryana and it was without any FUP. I used it for 3 continuous months. It was an auto-renewal pack and I used to recharge with Rs.300 FTTR. But service used to take 24-48 hours for activation. Later they increased charges to Rs.20/day and I bought Idea Himachal SIM as unlimited pack was still Rs.275/month. One of Himachal’s town is just 8 Kilometers from my town and I took SIM from there. Used it for around 15 months until Idea started charging in roaming.
But the price war which started with Docomo’s cheap GPRS plans made the 2G plans identical everywhere. The quality of service become worst with more and more data consumption.
So, plans used to cost differently due to license or spectrum charges paid was not same.
Now in 2010 spectrum auction, operators paid Rs.3316.93 crores for Delhi circle and Rs.3247.07 crores for Mumbai circle while cost for a B category circle say Haryana was just Rs.222.58 crores which is 15 times less than Delhi and Mumbai but service cost is still same.
As per Head of VAS of Idea Cellular, they have already break-even in some circles i.e they have recovered spectrum fee and on a path for infrastructure cost recovery.
The points you have missed are:
1. Limited Spectrum- We know that operators have only 5MHz of 3G spectrum and by bringing unlimited plan either night or weekend, QoS will get badly affect. Some operators have upto 8MHz of 2G spectrum in many circles and yet they are failing to deliver quality services on 2G. So a compromise on price will affect quality and as a consumer I pay only for quality. But it may be possible if users are divided among operators but users run behind those who provide cheaper services. So keeping plans identical in a circle is a must for them.
2. Speed-Based Plans- Not all Internet users are download freak. So there must be different plans for surfers like 3GB @Rs.200 or 4GB for 250 with speed 512-640-768Kbps.
Besides this, lack of awareness among users is a big problem. I feel only those who had knowledge about 2G are early adopters of 3G. Many people are using smartphones but don’t know about 2G/3G. Many have 2G handsets and using 2G but don’t know for 3G you require a 3G handset or dongle. Some don’t know whether their area has 3G coverage or not. Some confused between why so and so operator not providing 3G in our circle? Some confused between WCDMA and HSPA. aaaaaaaaaaaaah.
A friend of mine called me some days ago to tell that he subscribed to 3G plan but not getting speed. I asked him which handset he’s using and whether their area has 3G available? He told that he’s currently using Nokia 7210 and don’t know about 3G availability as he don’t know how to check.
I told him to buy a 3G handset or dongle as 7210 is not 3G compatible and try to search manually for network but he tried his brother’s Nokia 2730C which has 3G but not getting speed though his 2730C was showing 3G sign. Now he wasn’t aware of the fact that it is a WCDMA phone and not HSPA or HSPA+ phone.
After I explained everything, now he’s using 3G via dongle which he bought from Idea. But now he bombarded why this and that operator not providing 3G in my area, why can’t I use SIM of any other operator? I just unlocked his device and told him it was a software problem. Lol don’t have time to explain to explain to him what network locking or unlocking means.
Sometimes even I feel helpless when a newbie asks questions.
Btw Idea Cellular’s 3.1 million 3G customers figure shows that not even 5 percent of total customers on their network are using 3G.
Device upgrade is also a problem for 3G. Who cares? I had both a 3G smartphone and Huawei K4505 28Mbps dongle even before service got launched in my town. But experienced 3G in my town on August 11, 2011 when Idea made signals live. Used BSNL 3G only in Chandigarh before that.
Now Airtel is going to launch 4G in Punjab during Oct-Nov festive season. Will give it a try in Chandigarh as it’s being the nearest to my town only 50 Kilometers.
Himangshu September 16, 2012 at 4:46 pm
first the operator should provide there low 2G calling plan in Assam and NE… than only they have to go for 3G … specially in Assam…. because here 2G is so cost…than what will happen to 3G???!!!!
Himangshu September 16, 2012 at 4:45 pm
first the operator should provide there 2G calling low plan in Assam and NE… than only they have to go for 3G … specially in Assam…. because here 2G is so cost…than what will happen to 3G???!!!!
Ranajit September 16, 2012 at 4:42 pm
Reliance GSM West Bengal Circle has an autorenewal pack MN-97 (300MB 3G Data @97/- valid for 30 days) which when I tried to stop by talking & also sending e.mails to their Customer Care and also receiving assurance from CC that it will be deactivated within 24 hours, still they are deducting NRI 97/- from my main balance for the past 2 months without my consent. My advice never to activate any auto renewal plans of Reliance GSM. I will be soon porting out of Reliance.
birendra singh September 16, 2012 at 4:06 pm
I am using reliance 3g plan of Rs.800.under this scheme I am getting 5gb.after 5gb used, 2g unlimited, but than also they start deducting balance from main balance , I have given so many complaint’s but than also start deducting balance ; so please don’t use 3g plan operator are cheating to customer, specially reliance gsm, save ur money by not using any kind of 3g plan….
Srikapardhi September 16, 2012 at 4:05 pm
3G is a very popular Technolgy,only the thing is – “3G Networks Not available” which is the reason why it cannot be used by many users to become more popular.
Ratan September 16, 2012 at 4:01 pm
3 reasons
1.high cost 3g tariff
2.poor 3g coverage
3.lack of low cost 3g mobile
Nikhil September 16, 2012 at 4:00 pm
If any operator provide 3G plan without FUP, I will certainly go for that plan. Now a days operators are providing some foolish plans under UNLIMITED brand like 4GB unlimited. What is 4GB unlimited? You are saying unlimited and providing limited data? and moreover providing in the plan that after 4GB, 60kbps or 128 kbps unlimited speed. With this great speed i will do nothing but my laptop battery have to change suddenly if i work on that great(?)speed. Airtel giving 20kbps unlimited speed with 4G plans. Better you insult that 4G technology don’t provide this 20kbps speed.
At last i will say that if any operator come with truly unlimited plan with 3G speed, i will say “WELCOME”. We are waiting for such plans and don’t worry customer will also ready to pay for such plans.
Srikapardhi September 16, 2012 at 3:57 pm
Time for 4G as operators are already showing interest towards it.But fact it what ever the technology is – “Without Newtwork (Upgradation and expansion Needed) and Price affordability” these technologies are in no way use to a general User.
Shri September 16, 2012 at 3:21 pm
Yes, very true it is. Monday I had put TATADOCOMO 22Rs. 3G pack of 150Mb for some download. The speed was about 500KBps. So as it was getting to reach 150mb I opened the connection manager to disconnect the internet. It used 6 Secs to disconnect internet. So in this 6 Seconds it downloaded 3 Extra MB’s for which I got charged 35Rs. So what we should do in such cases? They must provide unlimited with capping or else the customer will get fear to recharge such small packs with risk. Atleast they should make it 1p/100KB To prevent the damage to customer.
jai September 16, 2012 at 2:30 pm
i think the main reason to 3G failure is network coverege if it coverd then subscribers to use it.
Sorry my eng.
Amit.G September 16, 2012 at 2:28 pm
Nice analysis, wrt no/poor 3G coverage in Tier 2 & 3 cities, The case is reverse in Karnataka circle, 3G is present in even Tier 3 cities like GADAG,BIJAPUR etc where Airtel( Idea & vodafone)/Aircel(TATA)/BSNL are present with good coverage.
Aircel & TATA Docomo have made a strategic agreement where Aircel covers Southern part of Karnataka & TATA northern part of Karnataka Starting with Hubli. AIrcel customer as soon as he enters north karnataka cities the phone will get latched to TATA’s 3G network ( No change in Tariff(voice & DATA) & same with TATA’s customers when they come to SK. But in Bangalore AIrcel & TATA have separate networks.
I have seen this model being replicated to 2G business also. Aircel/TATA/Reliance Have formed the agreement & Vodafone/Airtel/Idea on the other side. In highways/ Railroutes & small villages 2 out of 3 operators have switched off their towers & customers get latched to the 3rd one with no change in Tariffs. This will bring down 30% of operators cost but hurt tower companies. Very Innovative model!!!
Adil September 16, 2012 at 2:09 pm
Nice post Rudradeep…I too agree the ideas mention above should be followed to make 3G popular.
JOY September 16, 2012 at 2:00 pm
I completely agree with the author !! The data top-up plan will definitely revolutionize the competitive 3G market !! I think TRAI & DoT should work on these schemes & make 3G more popular in B & C telecom circles.