Ever confused how are you switched between 2G & 3G Networks when on different data plans?
Sometimes even though a 2G data pack is activated you may be charged for switching between 2G & 3G. This tabular form clearly explains how you will be connected with data on different networks in AP Circle.
| 3G Network Operator | How data is consumed between 2G & 3G Data Packs | Default Pack Availability | Video Calling according to Data pack |
| Airtel | Airtel is providing seamless Connectivity experience between 2G & 3G Networks.When a 2G Data pack is activated, in regions of only 2G Networks you will be connected to it and in Regions of 2G & 3G availability you will be connected to 3G Network at 2G speeds and Data is counted from your 2G Data balance. | Airtel is Providing 2G & 3G Pay as you Go Data plans by default. | Can make Video calls even on a 2G data pack when in 3G Network areas with 2G Browsing speeds. |
| Aircel | Aircel showed off something different irrespective of its unlimited and affordable 3G Data tariffs in a bad sense here.When a 2G Data pack is activated you need to be only connected to 2G networks (Via Network mode Settings) even though 3G Network is available, else you will be charged according to 3G default base data tariff and your 2G data is not counted. | Aircel is Providing both 2G & 3G Pay as you Go Data plans by default. | Can’t make a video call when on a 2G data pack even in 3G available areas (You need to switch between different Network modes always incase if you want to make a video call) making this as a disadvantage. If you are on 3G Data pack or Pay as you Go pack you can enjoy Video calling along with high data speeds. |
| BSNL MOBILE | BSNL is also providing seamless Connectivity experience with its Data packs used between 2G & 3G Networks.Whenever you activate a 2G Data pack it is shared between 2G & 3G networks and on 3G networks you get 2G speeds. | BSNL is providing Pay as you Go Data plans in both 2G & 3G by default. | Can make Video calls even on 2G data packs whenever you are connected to 3G Networks irrespective of what plan you are.BSNL Made Video calling facility a default feature even on 2G plans and to all customers with a compatible handset. |
| IDEA | IDEA is also providing seamless connectivity experience with 2G & 3G Networks. You can use 3G Data pack on both 2G & 3G Networks with respective speeds. | IDEA Cellular is also providing Pay as you Go Data plans in both 2G & 3G Networks. | You can enjoy video calling facility Whenever connected to 3G Network irrespective of plan activated. |
| VODAFONE IN | Vodafone is providing 3G in AP via IRCA in non 3G Circles.Though it is good to hear that Vodafone is caring for its data needs in AP it is also following the same way Aircel is doing but with more complications.Whenever a 2G Data pack is activated we will not have access to 3G Network at all. Though only 3G Network mode is selected via Network Settings you will not have access to any network. So you can use 2G Data plan only with 2G Networks.Whenever you activate a 3G Data plan while you are on 2G Data pack you will immediately loose all 2G Data Balance and get connected to 3G Networks.Also the Activation of 3G Pay as you Go plan is a bit irresponsive via SMS. | Vodafone recently started providing Pay as you Go Data plan facility for 3G too before which we need to compulsory activate a 3G Data pack to enjoy video calling and High Speed data. | Can make video calls only when on an Active 3G Data pack be it pay as you go or any 3G Data plan. |
*By default Video calling facility is available whenever you have access to 3G Networks.
*By default you can use 3G Data pack even on 2G Networks incase if 3G Network is not available.
Obaid November 3, 2012 at 8:10 am
Would there be any internet speed difference btwn 3g and 2g? If so, which one is better? As I have activated 3g data for my bsnl network for a month for my android phone, but I am experiencing a really bad internet speed even though the signal is always strong. So any comments about this?
srikapardhi August 9, 2012 at 10:00 am
TATA DoCoMo is not having 3G license in AP. as the title says only AP analysis.
Anush August 8, 2012 at 6:12 pm
Share the detail of TATA DOCOMO as well.
Ashwin August 8, 2012 at 1:52 pm
@Adil
It is capped at 32KBps and not 128 Kbps(16KBps).. thats very good
Kunal August 7, 2012 at 5:05 pm
no 3g network till now in south 24 dist. in west bengal.
Adil August 7, 2012 at 12:36 pm
@Mayur
But, Mayur people said that bsnl capps it’s speed on 256kbps i.e.32KBps is that true?
Vikram August 7, 2012 at 12:18 am
thanks for sharing this, It will certainly help those who are not aware of the charges deduction and other cost factors.
Mayur August 6, 2012 at 9:00 pm
@Adil
Your speed will be capped on 128kbps and 2G 2gb data pack will cost you Rs.98(COST MAY VARY FROM CRICLE TO CRICLE. PLZ GET CONFIRM FROM CUSTOMER CARE OR RETAILER)
ram August 6, 2012 at 7:57 pm
I am using aircel prepaid sim card for internet usage from my laptop. I recharged with rs.197/-(pocket internet – 3g)plan. The internet speed was good for first 10days. I was able to watch videos directly from websites like youtube etc. After 10days, the speed is not reaching to 10kbps atleast. Many times it’s speed is ranging from 0′bps to 10kbps. I could not able to view emails with better speed.
Bad Aircel Plans…………….Cheating the Users……………Waste of money.
Adil August 6, 2012 at 5:32 pm
Hey guys what is the download speed of bsnl 2g pack in 3g mode and price of 2GB 2g data pack?
ganesh kumar August 6, 2012 at 2:32 pm
AIRTEL IN CHENNAI GIVING 64KBPS WHEN YOU USING 3G NETWORK WITH 2G PLAN
AIRTEL CHEATS
64KBPS IS WORST THEN OTHER NETWORKS
BSNL GIVING 250KBPS + SPEED BSNL IS BEST
Adi August 6, 2012 at 12:14 pm
Tata DOCOMO does similar to Vodafone.
If you recharge with a 2G data pack, 3G network is not accessible. We have to select “GSM only” mode.
Dont know about video calling. With 3G data pack, works fine only in outdoor. There is lot of signal fluctuations indoor in many areas. Also, when you move from one place to other, if your tower changes, data connection will not work most of the times. And as usual customer care is as they advertise ” pooch ke batata hu”. Hardly will get some RIGHT solutions. Else, common solution, ‘RESET’ everything!!!
Amit Deb Biswas August 6, 2012 at 12:31 am
i am using vodafone 3G … got a offer sim by a friend (rs80 – 2gb), but luckly after 1week i got 2gb extra… 4gb just for 80rs!!!! download speed 2-6mbps… using on huawei e171
pankaj August 5, 2012 at 11:31 pm
here in rajasthan too
bsnl 2g in 3g mode capped to 128kbps(15KB/s) before it was 256kbps …
Sudhakar August 5, 2012 at 8:40 pm
What ever it is, the upload speed is worse in BSNL 2G as Tharun has mentioned. Please do concentrate on upload speed also.
Sinoj August 5, 2012 at 8:29 pm
Yes, I am also getting32KBps steddy download speed in BSNL 2G plan in 3G mode. Earlier when Docomo introduced 3G, I got high speed more than BSNL provides with 2G plan in 3G mode in Kochi city area. But, soon they discontinued this facility and caps @128kbps in 2G.
@Tharun George
Tharun George August 5, 2012 at 8:05 pm
@novicefreak1
I get also pathetic 100-110kbps speed on 2G network.
Even at 3G 256kbps browsing is very slow on BSNL 3G network. Some wesbites shows waiting for long time. But youtube and google sites are fast. May be there DNS is slow.
Krishna August 5, 2012 at 7:52 pm
BSNL is very fast with steady speed of 500 – 650 KB/sec in any area in ap where 3g nw is available
Airtel is also very fast… in 3g only
Idea provides around 350 KB/sec
Aircel only 70KB/sec
*speeds are downloading speeding…..
Krishna August 5, 2012 at 7:52 pm
but BSNL 2g speed is waste only 10KB/sec
Krishna August 5, 2012 at 7:49 pm
BSNL is very fast with steady speed of 500 – 650 KB/sec in any area in ap where 3g nw is available
Airtel is also good
Idea provides around 350 KB/sec
Aircel only 70KB/sec
*speeds are downloading speeding…..
novicefreak1 August 5, 2012 at 5:35 pm
BSNL steady 256 kbps is a real treat for you guys…here its capped @ 128kbps (2g pck 3g mode) and not to mention 2g speeds in 2g mode its about just 20-30 kbps…I repeat its 20-30 kbps ie less than 3.75kBps.
h rajpoot August 5, 2012 at 5:25 pm
well said……i had reharged with 3g pack in bsnl but i get 2g speed……..c’care is very pathetic…..always gives ridiculous excuses………
Tharun George August 5, 2012 at 5:15 pm
I have checked few operators in Kerala too. I also noted the speed they provided using MDMA. Here are my findings.
There are also other things to be noted.
Only BSNL provide 256kbps full 2G speed when 2G pack used on 3G network.
Airtel Caps speed at 80kbps if a 2G pack is used on 3G network.
Idea earlier provided 128kbps download and 1.26mbps upload speed for 2G Packs on 3G network. Now stopped here in kerala. Not allowed to use 2G pack on 3G network.
BSNL even don’t need to activate 3G in order to use 3G network. 256kbps speed is 32kbps steady download on firefox.
Vodafone also don’t allow use of 2G pack on 3G.
Speed test results
BSNL 2G pack on 3G speedtest.net/result/1543720184.png
Idea 2G pack on 3G speedtest.net/result/1895164357.png
Airtel 2G on 3G (At 80kbps speed I cannot even open speedtest.net)
novicefreak1 August 5, 2012 at 4:58 pm
Good comparison. I +1 in case of unethical Vodafone. But in BSNL case I differ, when on 2G plan, migration and other procedure is required to get into 3G mode and only then One can have 3G plans, by simply recharging the data amount one is not assured of 3G mode, BSNL in this aspect has very very cumbersome approach and is not customer friendly. Also as per CC on 2G pack one cannot select 3G network (but earlier I was able to select manually 3G in 2G pack, speeds capped to 128kbps.