Internet connection in Pondicherry

existent · Jul 9th, 2009, 14:59

I was divided on whether posting this here or in the Tamil Nadu forum.

I am leaving shortly for Pondicherry University, and I have been wondering how easy it is to get an internet connection for my mini-laptop (Samsung NC10) that I just acquired. Is it possible to get some sort of internet stick for a portable computer in/from Pondicherry, or should I get it from some bigger city?

And, if the answer is yes, can anyone give recommendations on where or what store/provider should I get it from (in Pondicherry)?

I'd also be interested in the monthly costs as well as the connection speeds in Pondicherry and India in general.

Thanks.

Indizen · Jul 9th, 2009, 15:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by existent

I was divided on whether posting this here or in the Tamil Nadu forum.

I am leaving shortly for Pondicherry University, and I have been wondering how easy it is to get an internet connection for my mini-laptop (Samsung NC10) that I just acquired. Is it possible to get some sort of internet stick for a portable computer in/from Pondicherry, or should I get it from some bigger city?

And, if the answer is yes, can anyone give recommendations on where or what store/provider should I get it from (in Pondicherry)?

I'd also be interested in the monthly costs as well as the connection speeds in Pondicherry and India in general.

Thanks.

You should be able to get a USB wireless modem from a provider such as Reliance or Tata Indicomm in Pondicherry. It has to be activated by the local provider so I don't think you can buy it from another city.

existent · Jul 9th, 2009, 18:03

Thanks for the info, Indizen. I was hoping to get it from Pondicherry, as I don't have the time to prowl through the rest of India when I arrive for my stay at Pondicherry University.

fsg · Jul 9th, 2009, 19:07

It depends what speed you want to get for the connection, or what you want to pay! and what you want to do.

Airtel GPRS costs 75/- per week for a slow connection, thats for Tamil Nadu, I rather suspect Pondy will be the same.

That is for a prepaid connection. The usual conditions , photograph passport/visa copy, try to go to the main office in Pondy, not a hole in the wall shop

Suggest you look up the Airtel site for connections /charges.

The TN charge is allover India, buying in another state prices vary.

Vodafone is also very popular in the S

existent · Jul 9th, 2009, 19:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by fsg

It depends what speed you want to get for the connection, or what you want to pay! and what you want to do.

Airtel GPRS costs 75/- per week for a slow connection, thats for Tamil Nadu, I rather suspect Pondy will be the same.

That is for a prepaid connection. The usual conditions , photograph passport/visa copy, try to go to the main office in Pondy, not a hole in the wall shop

Suggest you look up the Airtel site for connections /charges.

The TN charge is allover India, buying in another state prices vary.

Vodafone is also very popular in the S

Thanks. I checked the Airtel site, and at least so far I couldn't find any prices or speeds (except that a USB modem costs INR 2,999). Now I at least know where to look.

I am also waiting to see if they have some kind of free-for-all-users internet connections at the Pondicherry University. I will be there by next Tuesday, and I will be staying at the Foreign Students Hostel. I am not holding my breath for it, as right now I'm more concerned about whether they have air conditioning or at least something that'll make the indoors weather a bit more tolerable.

fsg · Jul 9th, 2009, 20:10

Airtel is a horrible site to manoeuvre

http://www.airtel.in/wps/wcm/connect... Nadu&link=S#

This gives more info and it seems the speeds are a bit better on MOBILE OFFICE, [GPRS], also a tad more expensive.

Dont know about what might be available on campus.

How long are you there for?

Enjoy

existent · Jul 9th, 2009, 20:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by fsg

Airtel is a horrible site to manoeuvre

http://www.airtel.in/wps/wcm/connect... Nadu&link=S#

This gives more info and it seems the speeds are a bit better on MOBILE OFFICE, [GPRS], also a tad more expensive.

Dont know about what might be available on campus.

How long are you there for?

Enjoy

I will stay for one semester (July-November), so it'll be around 5 months. That's probably also something that needs to be taken into account when I'm considering my internet options. I need the connection mainly for keeping in touch with people (e-mail and possibly blogging), so it doesn't need to be super fast. I purchased the mini-laptop mainly so that I can type, since I hate hand-writing.

Here in Finland it is increasing in popularity for university students to have laptops on class, though I'm not sure if it is appropriate to do the same in India. I don't want to look like an elitist geek to my fellow students by using technology that they might not possess. Even if I won't be able to bring my laptop to class, I can still use it to work on papers on my own time.

Of course, there are probably computers for general use at the campus, but I'd rather not have to rely on something that might not be available at all times - at least not if I can help it. You may call me spoiled, if you like.

fsg · Jul 9th, 2009, 20:46

I too use a netbook there, that is when I am there, and connected to the mobile it worked very well, and do all the things you seem to want yours to do.

I dont think too many students will take a laptop to class, but I could be wrong.

No way would I call you spoiled, you just live a life style according to your country.

India is different

Indizen · Jul 9th, 2009, 23:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by existent

Thanks. I checked the Airtel site, and at least so far I couldn't find any prices or speeds (except that a USB modem costs INR 2,999). Now I at least know where to look.

I am also waiting to see if they have some kind of free-for-all-users internet connections at the Pondicherry University. I will be there by next Tuesday, and I will be staying at the Foreign Students Hostel. I am not holding my breath for it, as right now I'm more concerned about whether they have air conditioning or at least something that'll make the indoors weather a bit more tolerable.

Other than Airtel, you might also want to look at Reliance, Tata Indicomm and BSNL as well - they might work out to be cheaper.

existent · Jul 10th, 2009, 02:02

Thank you, all. I will keep all your advice in mind when looking for an internet vein in India probably next week.

Jul 9th, 2009, 14:59	#1
existent Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Finland Posts: 15	Internet connection in Pondicherry I was divided on whether posting this here or in the Tamil Nadu forum. I am leaving shortly for Pondicherry University, and I have been wondering how easy it is to get an internet connection for my mini-laptop (Samsung NC10) that I just acquired. Is it possible to get some sort of internet stick for a portable computer in/from Pondicherry, or should I get it from some bigger city? And, if the answer is yes, can anyone give recommendations on where or what store/provider should I get it from (in Pondicherry)? I'd also be interested in the monthly costs as well as the connection speeds in Pondicherry and India in general. Thanks.

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Jul 9th, 2009, 18:03	#3
existent Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Finland Posts: 15	Thanks for the info, Indizen. I was hoping to get it from Pondicherry, as I don't have the time to prowl through the rest of India when I arrive for my stay at Pondicherry University.

Jul 9th, 2009, 19:07	#4
fsg Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: U.K Posts: 478	It depends what speed you want to get for the connection, or what you want to pay! and what you want to do. Airtel GPRS costs 75/- per week for a slow connection, thats for Tamil Nadu, I rather suspect Pondy will be the same. That is for a prepaid connection. The usual conditions , photograph passport/visa copy, try to go to the main office in Pondy, not a hole in the wall shop Suggest you look up the Airtel site for connections /charges. The TN charge is allover India, buying in another state prices vary. Vodafone is also very popular in the S

Jul 9th, 2009, 20:10	#6
fsg Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: U.K Posts: 478	Airtel is a horrible site to manoeuvre http://www.airtel.in/wps/wcm/connect... Nadu&link=S# This gives more info and it seems the speeds are a bit better on MOBILE OFFICE, [GPRS], also a tad more expensive. Dont know about what might be available on campus. How long are you there for? Enjoy

Jul 9th, 2009, 20:46	#8
fsg Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: U.K Posts: 478	I too use a netbook there, that is when I am there, and connected to the mobile it worked very well, and do all the things you seem to want yours to do. I dont think too many students will take a laptop to class, but I could be wrong. No way would I call you spoiled, you just live a life style according to your country. India is different

Jul 10th, 2009, 02:02	#10
existent Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Finland Posts: 15	Thank you, all. I will keep all your advice in mind when looking for an internet vein in India probably next week.