Broadband in Chennai

Hello people,I'm new on the forum (Though i've been reading thro your rantings for a coupla days).I'm from Chennai, and i would like to go 'the broadband way' 😉Could anyone recommend any providers for chennai? When i first decided to get Brdbnd (after my exams finished last week), i thought i should go for sify (but this forum changed it all!!)What i need is - > 1) Unlimited downloads2) any download speed better than dial up ( an overall 'promised' speed of 64 to 128 kbps should be enough i think?)3) preferable price range per month Rs500 to Rs.800....if the connection is good enough, i wouldnt mind even Rs.1000...4) i dont give much a damn about timings (for eg. 9pm to 9am). mainly need it for 'em downloads. 😉 I'd just leave my pc on the whole night i guess...I am a bit apprehensive about getting Cable internet, coz that would mean 2 major idiots(i.e for eg. Sify and my cable operator) will be responsible for any problems, and I will have to shuttle between the two...But for good service......I would go for it..But i hear that BSNL are gonna slash their prices by the end of june. So maybe a 2GB/month plan of BSNL should suffice?Any recommendations on what type of modem to buy? Or do i go for the service provider's choice?Thanks in advanceVince

grab airtel broadband if it is available in your region...

Exatt operates in the price range that you mention, but I don't know if it is available in your area, and also don't know much about it's service (seems like they are not many exatt users on this forum)....Other than that, if you can increase your budget (or better yet if you already have an airtel landline), then you can get the Airtel Home 128 package, the speed and reliability of which I can personally vouch to be very very good. However, if you don't already have an airtel landline, you will need to get one for this package, which puts at least 300-500 rupees more to the Rs.1,000 monthly cost of the internet access as well as rental modem, putting it at a minimum of Rs. 1,600 or so including all taxes and educational cess per month.

Vince,Your options are:A. Reliance Infocomm, 128K for Rs 750 per month (it is currently available in select areas of Chennai) (Rs 1200 for 256k )Ask to speak to a customer manager in the broadband division. Ask for the "Consumer DIA" plan. Make sure they will give you a receipt stating that it is unlimited with NO data or time limits. (have checked twice, there is NO data limit of 10GB per month on DSL Consumer DIA plans)Advantages:1. Static IP address2. No need to take a voice line. (you are forced by Airtel to take one)3. Ethernet direct within 100ft of PoP4. best fiber optic network (with gateway soon to FLAG undersea fiber network via Mumbai)B. Airtel 128k , unlimited at Rs 900 + Voice line minimum Rs 250 -- Rs 1150Good, reliable and available in most of Chennai. But Rs 400 more than Reliance. They also have a direct gateway to Singapore via undersea fiber from Chennai itself.C. Tata Indicom Metro EthernetSupposedly in trials in Chennai 🙂 D. Dishnet WiMaxIn trial mode. Eqpt is very costly for now.Also EDGE service from Airtel wireless is worth considering. (You will have to buy a Nokia 6880 or equivalent )---Am currently using BSNL DataOne. Very satisfied with it, till June 30th only 😛 at Rs 500 for 256k unlimited. Hope they extend this or come out with a new scheme or it is Bye,Bye BSNL!

Thanks Sushubh, vebmetal and videshi laloo!!Some things i would like to add are1) Airtel FORCES you to buy another connection, but what do they expect people who have a phone line of BSNL (like moi) to do?? Have two phones and enjoy talking to friends??? Take a hike Airtel!!2) Never heard of Exaat. Will try to finds out if they exist here..3) Thanks for the info videshi! i'll call up reliable 😉 Reliance and ask about their plans. It seems to be the best bet for now.BTW any idea on when BSNL will reduce its prices? Or introduce reasonable data limits? Or if Sify will remove those data caps?Thank you guysVince

BTW dudes, Do i need to buy a reliance mobile? I'm already on an Aircel Mobile and i do not need another hole in my pocket.... and is this plan separate from Rconnect?Well, i seem to have too many questions. sorry. i'll ask some one at reliance 2mrw mornin.Vince

Originally posted by Vince@May 24 2005, 11:44 PM
1) Airtel FORCES you to buy another connection, but what do they expect people who have a phone line of BSNL (like moi) to do?? Have two phones and enjoy talking to friends??? Take a hike Airtel!!
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Yeah, that's my biggest problem with Airtel, followed by the dumb people they outsource Customer Service to, and the fact that like all ISPs they don't follow the TRAI definition of broadband as an always on, minimum 256kbps connection.

I didn't have an Airtel phone line either, but since they had some scheme in my colony, under which installation etc. was free for both telephone and broadband, I thought, "What the heck!"..... Don't get me wrong... I am quite happy with their reliability, and relatively their speed is quite good too.... It's just that getting an extra Airtel landline blows a hole in my pocket, and is a unecessary expense IMHO... oh well, in the absence of better packages and service, I had to bow to Airtel Marketing's tyranny...

Airtel FORCES you to buy another connection, but what do they expect people who have a phone line of BSNL (like moi) to do?? [/b]

What they want you to do? Simple, of course. Add another couple of hundred a month to the billion$$s of Sunil Mittal and his family 😛

Forcing people to buy a voice plan,when all they want is a DSL data plan is a ripoff. SHAME on Airtel :angry: (BSNL does the same but it has an entirely different legacy network and it may not be technologically possible for them to offer data only plan nationwide)

So far Reliance is not forcing consumers with such cheap tactics. Let us hope it remains good that way.

Never heard of Exaat. Will try to finds out if they exist here[/b]

Nope. Not in Chennai. Only in Vebmetal territory :lol:


Do i need to buy a reliance mobile?[/b]

No. Not needed. Ask to speak to someone in the broadband group. Dont waste your time talking to the "call" girls 😛

When you get to the person handling broadband DSL for your area, first check if Reliance is able to provide service there. Give him your exact street address/location and ensure that there is a PoP nearby with coverage of your building. Also ask whether they will give you a Terms of Service/contract which clearly mentions NO data/time limits.

Originally posted by videshi_laloo@May 24 2005, 08:16 PM
No. Not needed. Ask to speak to someone in the broadband group. Dont waste your time talking to the "call" girls  😛

Thats exactly what happened when i called Tata Indicom!!!!

I called 'em up. they filled up the EXACT online form up for me. gave me a customer number. some guy should come up within "72 hours" (sheesh, cant they just say 3 freaking days???).

But from friends i hear the problem is that I have to pay for their lines, i.e, laying some cable upto my home....

Originally posted by videshi_laloo@May 24 2005, 08:16 PM
When you get to the person handling broadband DSL for your area, first check if Reliance is able to provide service there. Give him your exact street address/location and ensure that there is a PoP nearby with coverage of your building. Also ask whether they will give you a Terms of Service/contract which clearly mentions NO data/time limits.



BUT THEIR BLOODY webworld near my home hasnt opened in 5 days (JUST WHEN I NEEDED THEM!!!!)

Could someone give me a contact number please? their number on the website doesnt work!!

Could someone give me a contact number please? their number on the website doesnt work!![/b]

Vince,

Check your PM (personal messages)

If they have started offering service in that locality/street, they will first send a service engineer for confirming feasibility of service to your house/building.

Again get the terms of service in writing, confirming unlimited usage (no 10GB data cap or any such nonsense) before you proceed. Have checked before and was told verbally it is unlimited. But on Reliance website this is not clearly stated. In fact the links to FAQ and User Manual is dead 🙄

Tata Indicom and Airtel clearly state on the their websites that one of the plans they offer is *unlimited*.

Originally posted by videshi_laloo@May 26 2005, 08:31 PM
Vince,

Check your PM (personal messages)



Thanks man!! That bloody TATA guy has to get here soon, so at least i can compare their services...