I am back again to talk about 3G in Mumbai. Telcos are gearing up to launch 4G but many mobile Internet users in India are yet to make a shift to 3G. What keeps them away? Exorbitant cost of 3G plans and equally bad on-ground speeds & coverage.
Reliance
Over the last few months, I’ve been using 3G “unlimited” plan by Reliance. It’s something Reliance offered as a custom data plan but does not offer any more. For the first month Reliance priced it at Rs 297 and for the second month at Rs 397. I feel, it was a response to tackle Airtel’s 4G launches and plans.
While Reliance no longer offers the unlimited plan, it still offers a good 3GB data plan for Rs 347. These plans are accessible only by dialling *129#. It’s 1GB per 28 days plan is also comparatively cheaper than the plans offered by other operators.
Vodafone
Vodafone offers 1GB 3G data for Rs 297 per 28 days. I’ve been using Vodafone 3G on my main phone, and I must say the 3G speed that Vodafone offers in Mumbai is just subpar. It’s almost equal to 2G speeds at most. Be warned if you are opting for 3G plans on Vodafone in Mumbai.
Airtel
Airtel too offers similar plans as that of Vodafone. It’s almost like if one of the operators decide to jump in the well, the other will follow them.
MTNL
Another noteworthy telco which most users don’t even consider is MTNL. It offers 1GB 3GB data at just Rs 152 per month*. Their network coverage in Mumbai is also fairly good, although there are some areas such a the stretch from Ghodbandar road (Thane) to Borivali where you’ll get patchy 3G coverage.
Do let me know which 3G plan you’re using in Mumbai.
* While most telcos have shifted from a 30 day a month to 28 day a month in order to earn more, I like the fact that MTNL still offers plans on a per month basis.
