Following the 3G tariff cut, Idea Cellular has started “Fuel price up 70% and 3G price down 70%” campaign, but it seems on the other side coin, it is written ’2G data price also up’.
Idea started sending SMS to its subscribers that benefits of Rs 15 2G data recharge via flexi/USSD will be changed to 250 MB, valid for 2 days w.e.f June 18th.
As of now you can get old benefit of 500MB for 3 days in case you get the paper vouchers of Rs 15 data pack.
Earlier Airtel, Vodafone and Idea cuts 30-day pack benefit from 2GB to 1GB, and recently Tata Docomo slightly hiked pack cost following service tax revision.
It has been seen that operators in order to push 3G adoption, hiking the 2G pricing, so that the price barrier between 2G and 3G can be close.
Thanks To Tharun George
Tharun George June 20, 2012 at 2:05 pm
@Saurabh
Aircel and Tata have good speed all over india but has poor coverage. In order to get good speed atleast 3-4 bar signal is needed.
I suggest you switch to Reliance they provide 20GB for Rs 248 90 days, ie, more than 6GB per month for less than Rs 85 per month. Reliance has pretty good coverage all over india. Even though customers are not satisfied by there voice and other services, they are pretty good at data.
Also Aircel use reliance bandwidth for internet in back end. All other operators including idea uses VSNL for international connectivity. So VSNL is pretty busy line.
Saurabh June 19, 2012 at 10:50 am
Now a days Tata Docomo’s 2G speed is back on track with 20-25kB/s at my place but don’t know until when it will continue. But one operator in my town which is consistent in performance since they started is Aircel. They have lowest 2G ping at 180-220ms and speed 30-45kB/s. They provide 3GB in 98 and truly unlimited plan cost 251 for 90 days with 150 A2A Free calls. So it’s like truly unlimited at nearly 83/month with great speed. But problem is Aircel is not present everywhere and they are using Tata’s network in most parts of Haryana and Tata caps speed to 128Kbps for Aircel users. Aircel’s biggest plus point is they have least customers in our circle at around 6.5 Lakhs with only 53 percent active users and 80 percent of these have access to Tata Docomo network due to unavailability of Aircel’s own network. So network is not over loaded. Will recharge my Aircel number with 251 pack once Idea’s pack expires on June 23.
Saurabh June 19, 2012 at 10:30 am
@Tharun George
You can’t say operators increased data in packs again due to MNP. Look MNP was started in Haryana in Oct-Nov, 2010 and then on Pan-India basis in January, 2011. It was Tata Docomo who took the centre stage by bringing 2GB for as low as Rs.48 in Feb, 2010 (28 months ago) and then Aircel who brought truly unlimited plans in all their packs. When GPRS charges came down, there was no MNP. So, other operators like Airtel-Idea-Vodafone had to follow the suit in order to not to lose customers. But after MNP launch when they saw that port outs are very little i.e less than 2 percent each circle, the TRIO i.e Airtel-Idea-Vodafone reduced data.
You are right that unlimited plans are still there with many operators but Quality of Service is not the same as it was when there were no low cost plans and users were less.
In 2007, Airtel was providing unlimited for Rs.299/month in Haryana. I used it for some months but when Idea launched unlimited at Rs.10/day, I shifted to them as Idea had EDGE network and Airtel had GPRS only. The speed I used to got in Idea was 28-40kB/s as against 6-7kB/s on Airtel’s GPRS network. So quality was good at that time. Until Oct, 2009 I used Idea and they then increased the charges to 20/day. It went out of my budget. Then I took Idea Himchal SIM as unlimited plan in HP was available @275/month and also there were no roaming charges. So, I used it in Haryana for about 15 months. We still have this unlimited plan for 275 but now Idea charges in roaming.
Then Docomo brought cheapest plans and I shifted to them. Their speed was really good 25-30kB/s but with increased in users, speed came to as low as 4-5. I left Docomo in March, 2011 and since then sometimes using Reliance and sometimes Aircel or Idea.
Currently on Idea 159- 4GB pack and speed on EDGE network with 3G de-active is 22-32kB/s.
Idea has really a robust 2G and 3G network in Haryana and all credit goes to Escotel Mobile whom they overtake and maintained well until now but unlimited plan is available for 601/month with 10GB FUP and then speed reduction to 50Kbps but it’s out of my budget. I can pay a maximum of 300 for unlimited 2G.
Used 3G also for few months. Now Idea speed is about 8-12 Mbps on an average using 21Mbps dongle.
Tharun George June 19, 2012 at 8:11 am
@Saurabh
About 8-9 months ago idea, vodafone and others were offer 200MB for 3 days pack. But when MNP came they offered 500MB. Now they are going back to the old 200MB stage. May due to high data traffic on there network and less profit.
Operators still charge 500 and above for unlimited 2G. Vodafone offers 6 months unlimited at Rs 3000. Idea offer unlimited at Rs 398 with 5GB FUP. Only Aircel is offering unlimited at Rs 97.
Saurabh June 18, 2012 at 8:57 pm
Operators reduced data in packs like they have made nothing in past 10 years from 2G. There were times when they charged as high as Rs.600-900 for unlimited 2G plans and yet there were takers. After bringing 2GB under Rs.100, they made profits like heaven from data.
Reducing data in 2G packs or increasing 2G is like throwing your own bread and better. Their policy of increasing 2G charges in order to push users to 3G will have adverse affects on their business as in order to bring users to 3G they have to atleast provide 500-750MB under 100 and also double the data i.e 2GB in 2G so that they won’t lose customers in areas where 3G is not present.
2G like GPRS/EDGE is ubiquitous but not 3G. So either make 3G avialable everywhere or stop reducing data in 2G packs.
Best of Luck to telcos…
sajjad June 18, 2012 at 12:49 pm
@Tharun George
thanks INSHA ALLAH I WILL TRY.
Tharun George June 18, 2012 at 12:38 pm
I think reliance is now best for Data in kerala or India.
Reliance have very good speed around 29-31kbps with good coverage. For Rs 248 we can get 20GB for 30 days. I think this is the best plan in the country, more than 6GB per for Rs 82.6 / month.
But I have heard lots of complaint from reliance users about looting customers.
Tharun George June 18, 2012 at 12:14 pm
@sajjad
I suggest you port to vodafone next time.
You can get your money easily. Just email to appellate.kerala@idea.adityabirla.com saying you lost Rs 200 on data usage. Also tell them you ported in to get good service and lost money. They will surely refund the money. I have got all money back in these types of situations by contacting nodal officer.
Tharun George June 18, 2012 at 12:05 pm
@vaneesh
@dhanesh
@Rajesh
BSNL 2G speed is worst and around 10-13kps when I setting below its tower. But when using 3G network with 2G packs speed is superb at 32kbps consistent without any drop. Still there DNS servers are slow and browsing very slow even on 3G.
At my home I get best speed for Docomo followed by Reliance and Aircel. Vodafone and idea speed varies time to time from 15-23kbps.
Idris June 18, 2012 at 11:57 am
I am okay even if Service providers offer 1 GB for Rs. 100 or less for 2G with a good speed, but if speed is not good it not worth to buy a 2G pack for even free.I have observed in this circle DOCOMO, Virgin, T24 offer internet between Rs. 50 to Rs. 103 for 1GB of 2G internet.but it sucks big time speed is like shit. As compared to DOCOMO and its associates Airtel offers better speed without additional terms and conditions, so Airtel is popular in youth, talking about Idea in Pune 2G speed has decreased a lot since last one year ,idea also offers 1GB for 98 but not valid while roaming so Idea Sucks big time and many business class people have started switching from Idea to Airtel because they need net access while roaming, Vodafone is a big time thief when ur balance will be vanished u never know , speed is not satisfactory.
Amit Deb Biswas June 18, 2012 at 11:20 am
haha.. sundor bolecho bro..
jeet June 18, 2012 at 9:02 am
idea gprs pack coastly or gprs speed slow,its nt gud sir ji
arun June 18, 2012 at 7:08 am
Idea is the best in coverage in Kerala and no. one in Subscriber base in Kerala. But their offer and plan where costly. Gprs offer not work in roaming but all other operator provide free net on roaming By roaming on their own network.
sajjad June 18, 2012 at 12:29 am
recently I ported in idea
from docomo, because of coverages. but worst in idea is internet & roaming charges. I recharged of 98 1gb pack while i was in roaming. but I noticed all my 200 in my main balance was deducted. I complaint also no solution. so I m waiting my remainging of 90 days to PORT OUT FROM THIS CHEATER COMPANY SIRJI.
Rajesh June 17, 2012 at 11:10 pm
@vaneesh
If u consider 10 or 15 KB/s speed as superrrr,then stay with bsnl…we r getting 30 – 40 KB/s with idea2G
dhanesh June 17, 2012 at 10:53 pm
thats because u never used any other operators thats y ur telling that bsnl is offering “super speed”just use idea or tata docomo and feel the diffrence@vaneesh
Sudhakar June 17, 2012 at 10:15 pm
To Tharun george :
1) Go to http://www.ideacellular.com/wps/portal
.
2) Click ‘personal’ category.
.
3) Then click on the circle for which you want to see the tariffs.
.
4) Click on ‘wireless internet’ under personal catogory. Then click ‘prepaid plans’.
vaneesh June 17, 2012 at 9:32 pm
in kerala bsnl provied bsnls 2G 89 plan,it give 2 GB .30 DAYS VALIDUTY.speed superbbbbbbbbbbbbb….
chandra June 17, 2012 at 9:16 pm
I USE DOCOMO FOR INTERNET
4GB FOR RS.102 30 DAYS
8GB FOR RS.149 30 DAYS
2.5GB FOR RS.69 30 DAYS
500MB FOR RS.15 3 DAYS
THE DOWNLOADING SPEED IS ALSO GOOD AROUND 20-30 KILOBYTES/SEC AND SOME TIMES IT REACHES TO 40 TO 60 KBPS(FOR FEW SECONDS ONLY) WHILE DOWNLOADING WITH IDM.
SD June 17, 2012 at 8:51 pm
Yap bro I also switched to Idea a month back. I am using 47 pack with 1gb for 30days. Speed is better than airtel/voda, 20-30 kB/s whole day. But if they hike they are sure to be kicked in no time. Apna mantra”Paisa dobo,maal khabo/Maal nei,paisa nei”.
Abhijith June 17, 2012 at 8:30 pm
What an idea sirji . .
Asit Paul June 17, 2012 at 7:44 pm
In my circle.
Rs. 4 – 50MB -1 Day,
Rs. 47 – 1GB- 30 Days.
Idea NE
Tharun George June 17, 2012 at 7:13 pm
Vodafone still offers Rs 14 for 500MB for days 3. Don’t know whether they also hike. It was only 8-10 months ago idea revised Rs 15 200MB 3 Days to 500MB.
Over 80% of data users were using this pack. They was very cheap when compared to 97 1GB 30days pack.
How much is idea or vodafone offering for Rs 15 or similar 3 days packs in other states?
Shan June 17, 2012 at 5:07 pm
This is absolute nonsense.
For 1GB bandwidth your expenses are about 3 Rs.
Yet, we pay 30 Rs for 1 GB 2G data ( 15 Rs, 500MB, 3 day validity )
Now it doubled ie, 60 Rs for 1 GB 2G data. ( 15 Rs, 250 MB, 2 Day validity)
Very shame game IDEA, Now you too looting Us.
Idea, you don’t think We(Students community) will go for 3G recharges.
Amit Deb Biswas June 17, 2012 at 4:56 pm
i am using idea 147 plan, 4GB for 30days… if they increase data charge / decrease data volume i will surely leave them… now a days with idea i am getting speed like vodafone in my home