Reliance R Connect (Wireless Internet)

Groove

I'm considering using the Reliance R Connect CDMA service:

http://www.relianceinfo.com/Infocomm..._rconnect.html

for wireless Internet access from my laptop PC.

Does anyone know if there is likely to be any problem purchasing a pre-paid SIM card as a foreigner?

Does anyone know what the coverage is like in Bangalore, and for that matter nationally? And what typical connection speeds I can expect?

z00rg

I dont think you will get a internet service with prepaid reliance service, you have to go for post paid which is only available for indian nations having a valid address.

The better way is get a GSM phone which is EDGE & GPRS enabled, and then get a prepaid card to use it........

EDGE gives you good speed of upto 30 to 60 kbps

butterball

You should have NO problem getting the pre-paid service. Just walk into one of the Reliance 'supermarket' shops and get yourself connected. The best value is the 500rs & 800rs ( 45 & 60 days respectively ). The speed is better than I anticipated !

Check their website for addresses.

You could always sniff around a 'mobile exchange' shop for a second hand unit & sim. Bangalore should be teaming with options. I'm in Kerala, though still trying to locate a second hand Samsung handset - the only one compatible with a Mac

z00rg

Reliance prepaid does not offer internet

india-welcomes.com

Yes Reliance POST PAID only offers R CONNECT services ... Cross check before you buy it ...

We are also using R CONNECT service thats on POST paid.

thou ..AIRTEL and HUTUCH had this facility to use prepaid card to use INTERNET on GPRS enabled phones monthly rent is approx 400 to 500 INR/ per month. speed is ok in metros

butterball

.... but Reliance pre paid 'R-Connect' does !

z00rg

You can call this number 30336969, reliance call center and know the details....

If reliance prepaid does offer internet then nothing like it, it gives decent speeds upto 40 kb.......

I am using it for 6 months, cool service

z00rg

Hey you can get a edge/gprs card for mac...........for using here in india

More info at the following url..
http://www.cellular-news.com/story/11260.shtml

Groove

According to their website Reliance DOES offer R Connect with prepaid:

http://www.relianceinfo.com/Infocomm...epaidhome.html

ofaeon

I'm a bit overwhelmed trying to get a better idea about all the different mobile providers and data services in India. I will be traveling to India for the first time taking off from San Francisco this week and will be traveling from Delhi to Dharamsala with a notebook computer and a GPRS (non-EDGE) phone in tow and hope to be connected to the internet on a regular basis either via GPRS phone or internet cafe. Does Reliance have coverage from Delhi to Dharamsala? Which mobile provider should I consider for getting a prepaid SIM card and anybody have an idea of what sort of real world data xfer rates to expect with non-EDGE GPRS in the area?

Are there any recommendations for a good cybercafe in Dharamsala that has good broadband speed that I can connect my notebook computer to?

Sorry for the numerous questions as I'm quite befuddled.

Thanks for any help

Jong

I use internet with Relance R-connection Pre-paid service. It charge rs 30 per hour during day time while rs 15 at night. Speed is quite slow as usually as any indian internet cafe.

Darwish

Post paid onnections seems to be possible for a foreigner. He will pay 1 year in advance. over data use must be paid extra off course.

I struggeled to get this, but in the end it is possible

brownboy66

yeah - it is a bit daunting given the number of operators - but the bigger questions are likely to be network coverage, plus how much administration is required to get a phone/ sim/ data card/ service.

Have a look at these threads....

http://www.indiamike.com/india/elect...etworks-t8434/

Best mobile roaming service in India?

Wireless Internet -anyone using Reliance NetConnect?

The first is a good all round general guide to getting a phone/ service in the first place - not to mention a bit of discussion re performance. The following two talk about mobile connections and Reliance in particular.

If you are looking at Reliance - be aware they operate a CDMA network so the data side of it is CDMA 1xRTT - not GPRS or EDGE. If you need a GPRS operator then that would be someone like Airtel or Vodafone. You might also like to consider BSNL as there are a few IM regulars who swear by the coverage.

In terms of performance - CDMA will be the better performer simply by virtue of the technology and frequency. CDMA networks use a stronger signal for the transmission of data - hence it has a slightly higher raw throughput compared to GPRS. Either way, however, performance will depend on a number of factors and isn't likely to be overwhelming (the theoretical throughput of both technologies is 153kbps (kilo bits per second) - but signal quality, contention, distance to cell phone tower, number of subscribers on net, etc - all act to limit the speed). If you get something between 60-80 kbps you're doing well.

In terms of signing up with a provider here - you'll need copies of your passport, copies of you visa, and spare passport photos. Have a look around the various websites of providers to get a feel as to what is available. If you are bringing a phone just ensure it is unlocked (so it will accept a domestic card), and operates on the corresponding band for India (sorry if any of the above is stating the obvious).

No problem - that's what the forum is here for!