My World A Blog On All The Things That Happen In My Life

My Laptop Chronicles: Obtaining(or trying to obtain) a BSNL EVDO connection Part 1
about Life on 19/01/2008 - like it?

Ever since my guest house owner denied me permission to draw a 2MM cable for TATA Indicom broadband, I’ve been searching for alternatives, so that I can get atleast a decent net connection. For the past month or so, I’ve been trying out AirTel’s EDGE USB modem option, but this net connection sucks harder than the blackhole. Another good alternative is BSNL’s EVDO service, but then the service was launched recently, and BSNL staff are ignorant about the service. Even BSNL’s site has nomention of EVDO service, though the site is apparently up-to-date (atleast that’s what the site claims)
Thankfully I’ve found a good site on BSNL EVDO, run by Santhosh aka Gigacore. So today being the(Saturdays, that is) only day I’m free, decided to head over to the BSNL exchange at Triplicane, Chennai.
The building was rather small, and I was apprehensive on whether I’ll get the device or not. Entered the building. It was empty, except for one person, who informed me today’s a holiday. Here’s the conversation I had with that guy.

Me: I want to take a EVDO connection. Can I get the connection here?
BSNL guy(BG): EVDO? What’s that? ( )EVDO is thatt…service.. for Wireless net connection
BG: Oh wireless, Take ADSL connection and we give WiFi router
Me: no, no, not that. EVDO uses CDMA 1x for wireless net access
BG: CDMA yaaa? We(BSNL) dont have CDMA service(!!! )
Me: Err…..
BG: Why you want CDMA wireless access, take ADSL, it’s better(hey atleast he’s making a valid point)
Me: I cant take ADSL, the guest house owner won’t let me draw the wire
BG: Oh. I see. CDMA I think we dont have. You goto, #146, Greames Road, to Customer Service centre. They know better. Talk to Mr Srinivas, he’ll know, most others won’t know(atleast he’s being honest!)
Me: Ok. Thanks, I’ll go there(leave the exchange).

Oh well, atleast he pointed me in some direction!! I didn’t goto that place, as today’s a holiday. So that’ll have to be done next week

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Tags: BSNL, Chennai, EVDO, Hassles

Best of Luck, Me too trying for the same. I had to call up 5 people from BSNL until i found one who had heard of EVDO

Lovingly written by Veagles on 21/01/2008

^^ Thanks mate. I’ve a feeling I’m gonna need it Where are you from, anyways? How much speed are you getting?

Lovingly written by Sathya on 21/01/2008

Even my friend was looking for a such a type of connection. But the same problem BSNL people never know a thing about it. Do write if you get the connection and how much they charged you.

Lovingly written by Karthiksn on 23/01/2008

Dude, why dont you try Data Cards and all, is EVDO faster than those?

Lovingly written by Reeteshinator on 27/01/2008

Reetesh, I’m already using Airtel’s EDGE USB modem(as mentioned in the post). And yes, anything, anything would be better than that connection. And yes, I’ve heard and read that EVDO is better than my current connection. On second thought, *nothing* can be worse than my current connection

@Karthik I will keep you informed via this blog. This saturday being Republic Day, BSNL office was on a holiday

Lovingly written by Sathya on 27/01/2008

Oh, I thought you were talking about using the Internet Via your Mobile phone.

There are services like TATA’s and Reliance’s where You can fit the Card in the PCIMCA Slot (you have it? ) or maybe through USB.

Did anyone near your try those out?

Lovingly written by Reeteshinator on 27/01/2008

Nope, Airtel’s experience was enough. Next will be the BSNL EV-DO. It’s based on CDMA 1X2000, but in certain places also operates on EV-Do network which has a theoretical maximum of 2.4 Mbps

Lovingly written by Sathya on 28/01/2008

2.4 MbPS? Awesome, I better check it out!
wont it be pricey?

Lovingly written by Reeteshinator on 28/01/2008

Nopes, it isn’t pricey! You can buy the device or rent it out.

Check this site

Lovingly written by Sathya on 29/01/2008

Thanks for referring the site man

Lovingly written by Gigacore on 30/01/2008

@Giga Welcome pal

Lovingly written by Sathya on 30/01/2008

[...] just go for a wired connection now(read my reason as to why i cant get a wired connection here). While a web page announcement is a good thing, whether it’ll change the ground reality – [...]

Lovingly written by My World – EvDO Service to Start In Chennai SOon? on 30/03/2008

Guyz, I have applied for the EVDO connection today at Guindy, Chennai. The CRO was very good and he programmed my new number into the Card and has kept it with him for testing, i may get it tomorrow (1st April). Need to see tomorrow if I will be an April fool or if the EVDO will work for me.

Lovingly written by Nagarajan on 31/03/2008

@ Nagarajan, thats sweet buddy. Hope our sathya bro will be able to buy one

Lovingly written by Gigacore on 31/03/2008

@Nagarajan That’s really good to hear. Thanks for dropping by and letting me know. I hope to get one, by this weekend

Lovingly written by Sathya on 31/03/2008

[...] his tweet. Good news is that another user, Nagarajan has posted that he has obtained a connection this comment. I shall keep you guys informed regarding the status. BSNL EVDO News var [...]

Lovingly written by BSNL EVDO Now Available in Chennai | BSNL EVDO on 31/03/2008

Hi Guys!! Got the Card!! Now lets discuss the Good and the Bad.
First the Good:
Got the card the very next day, the CRO called me at 9.50am in the morning and asked me to pick the card, this is really good.

Near my office at Perungudi, I get 3-4 bars of EVDO signal with which i get about 200-300kbps speeds, but sometimes the continuous ping response to some sites are not very good.

The Bad:
The area where my home is at – Madipakkam has only 1X signal (1 to 3 bars). With 1X, I am unable to connect at all – Error the remote host does not respond. I have reported problem to the CRO, Guindy.

I am unable to connect to the Nortel Contivity VPN with my EVDO Error “Checking Banner Text” and then times out.

BSNL CRO says there is a EVDO tower in Perungudi, Keelkattalai, KK Nagar and 4 other areas. But when I drove down with my laptop, I didnt find any EVDO signal in Keelkattalai got only the 1X signal 5 bars, but unable to connect, as mentioned earlier.

If any of you have any suggestions please let me know at agnagarajan@yahoo.com

Thanks.

Lovingly written by Nagarajan on 02/04/2008

Hi Nagarajan,
Am in chennai as well. Adyar…..Can you pls let me know the procedure for obtaining the EVDO card ?

Also theoretically even if you have only 1X then you should be able to connect at typical CDMA speeds with the card…..right ?

Pls lemme know . Tx a ton

Rgds

Lovingly written by Abi on 02/04/2008

Hi Abi, As far as I know the Card is available with Customer Relationship Officers. I bought one from CRO (Mr.Narasimhan), Customer Relationship Center, BSNL, Near CIPET Complex, Industrial Estate, Guindy. Phone 22501940.
Yes you are correct, it is supposed to work even with 1X Signal, but for some reason, mine does not work. Thanks

Lovingly written by Nagarajan on 02/04/2008

Abi, forgot to mention, pl carry Photo ID card / Address proof like Ration card with you and cash Rs.1000/- as security deposit for modem.

Lovingly written by Nagarajan on 02/04/2008

Oh.. I got my EVDO card at a single go from the Ganganagar Customer Care centre in Bangalore.. the lady (A Sub Engineer) frankly advised me not to take it as the speed is very less. She also said that of the 200 cards she issued, 20 were returned, and 2 of them were returned in the 1hr I spent in the office.

The better side: I saw a couple of young techies who know the technology, wanting to take the connection. All were disappointed at the confession of the Engineer. I, with all the guts and glory, get mine rented. And yes, it gets activated. And now??

two bars of 1X signal. A very unstable connection that shifts between 100bps to 160kbps, mostly in the 11kbps range. Amazing download speed of 2.5KBps from rapidshare and Yahoo! Mail. No EVDO apparatus at my tower. And tomorrow, Im going on a drive to see where I can get the signal, if it ever exists in Bangalore. 1st stop – my college.. Christ College in Dairy Circle. Fingers crossed!

Lovingly written by Aji on 03/04/2008

man, this thing sure seems half baked.

I think maybe all of the people using it now are like test subject, like a uninformed, open beta or something. I really wonder how they launched it if they knew that people who live in remote areas will require it, and its in those places that the service people are getting is bad.

Lovingly written by Reeteshinator on 03/04/2008

@Nagarajan Thanks for the info

@Aji In Bangalore, they’re testing the CDMA-1X -> EVDO transition. Lot of Bangalore users have been facing problems connection. Just have a bit of patience It’ll get sorted out soon

@Reetesh Yeah, it’s mostly feasibility checking. Nevertheless it’s good to see,

Finally, all, thanks for sharing the information

Lovingly written by Sathya on 03/04/2008

The low speeds or no speeds are just because that not all the towers are yet equipped to handle EVDO. I guess I will wait till the BSNL officials in our exchange come to know what EVDO is.

Lovingly written by Karthiksn on 03/04/2008

There should be some mention of it then, and also the users who do this and go through all the burden should have some kind of remuneration. IMO.

Lovingly written by Reeteshinator on 03/04/2008

@reetesh
You do know we are referring to BSNL- a govt company here. That means you pay and then you pray.

Lovingly written by Karthiksn on 03/04/2008

Lol, I kinda forgot

How would a big thing like the govt care about 200 people.

EVDO in theory is pretty awesome, I just hope it comes under full effect soon, it will be a great advancement and I think will change what people think of wireless internet.

2.4 Mbps where-ever we go, sounds just too good (even if its 1 or 512kbps)

Lovingly written by Reeteshinator on 03/04/2008

Well, another thing that we are forgetting here is that EVDO is coming at a dirt cheap price – buying it is not worthy, as god alone knows how sonn it will be obsolete. Better pay the Rs.200 p.m. rent – Im sure this will be out in a couple of years. COnsidering this,

Rs 1500 refundable deposit. Rs 750pm usage charges. Theoretically 2.4mbps. Which Reliance or Tata son will provide this?? And its to be noted that there exists a bunch of extremely happy consumers in Cochin-Palakkad-Coimbatore-Salem belt.. who get download speeds of 250KBps, and 100KBps when travelling at 110kmph on a highway!! They definitely will be blessing BSNL!

Lovingly written by Aji on 03/04/2008

Thanks Nagarajan…..

Rgds

Lovingly written by Abi on 03/04/2008

[...] his tweet. Good news is that another user, Nagarajan has posted that he has obtained a connection this comment. I shall keep you guys informed regarding the status. BSNL EVDO News var [...]

Lovingly written by BSNL EVDO Now Available in Chennai | BSNL EVDO CLUB on 04/04/2008

[...] his tweet. Good news is that another user, Nagarajan has posted that he has obtained a connection this comment. I shall keep you guys informed regarding the status. I Love Social [...]

Lovingly written by BSNL EVDO Now Available In Chennai | BSNL EVDO on 09/04/2008

Can anyone in CHENNAI confirm if they are able to connect to 1x signals, from day 1 i am unable to connect to 1x. I had borrowed another device from the CRO Guindy and even that too does not work!!!! If someone is able to connect, it will be easier to troubleshoot the issue. Thanks in advance for your quick post!! My email is agnagarajan@gmail.com

Lovingly written by Nagarajan on 14/04/2008

Any one from Chennai using this? I am from Ambattur, Chennai. When I enquired in Ambattur exchange they are asking to get it from any other exchange where CDMA is available. (KK Nagar, Poonamalle etc). When I ask in these exchanges they are not ready to give connections for users in other exchanges.

Has anyone here managed to get one in areas where there is no CDMA?

Thanks,
Saura.

Lovingly written by Saura on 01/05/2008

@Saura I’m afraid its not possible, neither is it practical. You _can_ get the device from other exchange, but without any CDMA towers in your area, the device won’t work, and you’ll have a rather expensive paperweight

Lovingly written by Sathya on 01/05/2008

Thanks Satya.

They were saying the device will give 144kbps in areas without CDMA isnt it? People are not getting that also?

Lovingly written by Saura on 02/05/2008

[...] it was the Chennai Cops. Then it was the stupid mansion owner.  Recently it was a stupid hotel cashier. Chalk up yet another dumb prick to that list courtesy [...]

Lovingly written by My World – I wanna listen to music! on 14/05/2008

Good News those looking for bsnl datacards… Do you know chennai BSNL has launched EDGE datacard on GSM.The major difference between CDMA1X and this is this has roaming!!!!

Lovingly written by Raman on 15/07/2008

@Raman:

Can you / anyone please let us know how much speed you are getting in GSM Data card from BSNL?

Lovingly written by Subu on 02/09/2008