KumaarShah

^^^ Call Conferencing is a network feature not handset feature, and all RCOM handsets right from the lowly Classic to the highest end HTC supports Call Conference - though only 3 way and not 5 way like Voda, etc. I hope I am correct.

Hi, Puneet!!! Good to see you here after a longish hiatus... Sorry if I am wrong...

^^^ Thanks, Kamal bhai. I got it by chance and thought it would be useful info for all though its very basic only.

^^^ I do not know of any phone on Reliance / CDMA that can receive/send SMS from/to Email. So this is not a major issue. If you have any other problems, you may decide accordingly. In any case, you have the best and cheapest phone LG-RD 3000 for voice.

^^^ Aircel though has not introduced any such offers for the south where it is the number 1 in both Chennai and TN circles (much ahead of Airtel also)

All about 3G and what it means for you On August 1, 2008, India joined the elite list of countries to announce a policy for third generation mobile service that will enable customers to enjoy voice, video, data and downloading facilities on their mobile phones. The much-awaited 3G policy would allow up to 10 players in a service area including foreign companies. India has 60 Mhz of 3G spectrum available. The auction will take place in the 2.1 Ghz band. The government has set a base price of Rs 2,020 crore (Rs 20.20 billion) for each bid for a pan-India license. Initially, there will be three to five operators to sell the 3G services, including state-run BSNL and MTNL. The state-run telecom firms have an edge to start the 3G services earlier than others as they do not have to bid for the spectrum as they only have to match the highest bid in their respective circles. When will 3G services in India start? There is no firm date set for the auction of 3G spectrum, but it is likely to take place before February 2009 since the government may need the money to keep its deficit within control; current estimates put the initial entry fee bids that the government will get at anywhere between Rs 30,000 crore (Rs 300 billion) and Rs 40,000 crore (Rs 400 billion). In that case, by about December 2009, India may get broadband-type internet speeds on mobile phones. That, in turn, will allow users to view movies on their mobile phones, conduct video telephony while on the move, and so on. What will 3G mean for you 3G is short for third-generation mobile telephony services. 3G guidelines will revolutionise the country's cell phone services, clearing the way for high-speed mobile connectivity in India. 3G phones work in higher bandwidths of 15-20 MHz. Currently, mobile phones work on 2G or 2.5G, and use 30-200 KHz bandwidth. Bandwidth is a measure of the width of a range of frequencies used while transferring data from one point to another and is measured in hertz. How do 3G services help us? 3G services enable video broadcast and data-intensive services such as stock transactions, e-learning and telemedicine through wireless communications All telecom operators are waiting to launch 3G in India to cash in on revenues by providing high-end services to customers, which are voice data and video enabled. India lags behind many Asian countries in introducing 3G services. Packet-based data provides several advantages over the existing circuit-switched techniques used for carrying mobile voice. It allows higher call volumes and support for multimedia data applications, such as video and photography. Users will be charged on how much data they transmit, not on how much time they are connected to the network, because with 3G you are constantly online and only pay for the information you receive. Number portability There is good news for all mobile phone users in India. The roadmap to introduce mobile number portability that will give cellphone users the freedom to choose their service provider while retaining their numbers has been readied too. Cheaper, and better, phones With 3G mobile services, which provide high-speed downloads of data, movies and videos, around six month away, mobile phone makers are getting ready to offer handsets for as little as Rs 3,500, against the currently available minimum price of over Rs 8,000. Chinese telecom giant Huawei Technologies is already in talks with leading Indian operators of GSM mobile services to sell a 3G entry-level phone within $80 to $100. South Korean electronics giant LG Electronics has the KU250 3G phone model, which is positioned as one of the cheapest phones in this category around the globe. "We will launch an adaptation of this model in India for around $100. Motorola India also expects prices to fall dramatically. It expects the prices of phones to come down to Rs 4,000-5,000. Motorola has about three 3G models that range from Rs 14,000 to Rs 19,000. Also, contrary to common belief, 3G will not be a premium service. Operators said a start-up package could cost around Rs 299, which is roughly what consumers pay for a fixed broadband service. Unlimited downloading may require subscribers to pay Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 a month. What do 3G handsets look like? 3GSM phone designs are based on functionality and customer needs. To allow new Internet and multi-media services, bigger viewing screens are the norm. Thus, the size of 3G is likely to be bigger, yet some mobile phone manufacturers could offer small handsets too. Can you receive 3GSM services from your current mobile handset? 3GSM is a new technology and thus you cannot access 3G multimedia services using existing GSM handsets. So you will need to upgrade your mobile to be able to use these services. What exactly do 3G spectrums do? Third Generation or 3G is a generic term used for the next generation of mobile communication systems. With 3G spectrums, your mobile can work for you even while you sleep. It sets your travel schedule and checks for jams along your route, whether you take the car/bus or the train. It can double up as cash and plastic money, a one-instrument payment system to pay for your tickets and purchases by simply texting the bank. It can be your one-stop entertainment box that holds music files, downloads programmes you love while you're on the move. It can work out what to do with incoming phone calls and messages — direct voice calls to voicemail when you are in a meeting, for instance, but providing a discreet text summary of the caller and the nature of the call. What is spectrum? Spectrum refers to a range of radio frequencies. The bandwidth of a radio signal is the difference between the upper and lower frequencies of the signal. For example, in the case of a voice signal having a minimum frequency of 200 hertz (Hz) and a maximum frequency of 3,000 Hz, the bandwidth is 2,800 Hz (3 KHz). The amount of bandwidth needed for 3G services could be as much as 15-20 Mhz, whereas for 2G services a bandwidth of 30-200 KHz is used. Hence huge bandwidth is required for 3G. How is 3G different from 2G and 4G? While 2G stands for second-generation wireless telephone technology, 1G networks used are analog, 2G networks are digital and 3G (third-generation) technology is used to enhance mobile phone standards. While 2G is focused on voice, 3G supports high-speed data of at least 144 kbps enabling broadband Internet access on the mobile, and 'triple play' features like mobile TV and converged communication services. 3G helps to simultaneously transfer both voice data (a telephone call) and non-voice data (such as downloading information, exchanging e-mail, and instant messaging. The highlight of 3G is video telephony. 4G technology stands to be the future standard of wireless devices. Currently, Japanese company NTT DoCoMo and Samsung are testing 4G communication. Which companies got 3G license in India? 3G spectrum has been provided to GSM players like Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Essar (then Hutch) to carry out an interface check on a non-commercial basis ahead of the start of 3G mobile services. As per the guideline, any licensed telecom operator can bid for 3G spectrum and the radio waves will be auctioned in 5-10 blocks depending on the availability. Each successful bidder will be allocated only one block in a service area. Spectrum will be auctioned in the 450 Mhz, 800 Mhz band for EVDO (for CDMA players) and in 1900 band when it is available. What led to spectrum imbroglio in India? The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, in its recommendations, had suggested an increase in the subscriber norms by two to six times. However, with GSM operators opposing the move, the issue was referred by the DoT to its standards setting organisation, the Telecom Engineering Centre. The latter recommended hiking the minimum subscriber number even beyond what the Trai had suggested. Earlier formulae had suggested the subscriber number be a mid-point between what the Trai and TEC suggested or a 25 per cent 'tightening' of the existing policy. What are the issues regarding 3G for providers and users? 3G has successfully been introduced in Europe. But several issues continue to hamper its growth. High spectrum licensing fees for the 3G services. <li>Huge capital required to build infrastructure for 3G services. <li>Health impact of electromagnetic waves. <li>Prices are very high for 3G mobile services. <li>Will 2G users switch to 3G services. <li>Takes time to catch up as the service is new. In how many countries does 3G exist? There are about 60 3G networks across 25 countries. In Asia, Europe and the United States, telecom firms use Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) technology. The WCDMA standard provides seamless global evolution from today's GSM with support of the worlds' largest mobile operators. WCDMA technology is built on open standards, wide ranging mobile multimedia possibility, and vast potential economies of scale with the support of around 100 terminal designs to operate 3G mobile networks. 3G services were introduced in Europe in 2003. In which country was 3G spectrum first introduced? Japan was the first country to introduce 3G on a large commercial scale. In 2005, about 40 per cent of subscribers used only 3G networks. It is expected that during 2006 the subscribers would move from 2G to 3G and upgrade to the next 3.5 G level. The success of 3G in Japan also shows that video telephony was the killer application for 3G networks. Downloading music was the biggest draw in 3G services. India, which has 287 million wireless subscribers, saw its mobile user base grow 25 times in the last five years making it the second largest wireless market in the world after China. Link: http://abhishekkatiyar.wordpress.com/2008/...-means-for-you/

Sachin, You are forgetting that in MySTD375, as suggested by Praveen, you will get all India at Re 0.50pm even after 750 minutes, whereas in the Voda plan suggested by you, all calls will be expensive after the 649 minutes at Re 0.60 for local and Re 1 for STD calls. RCOM is definitely good for voice tariffs and network coverage. I do not know much about Tata, and Voda also is patchy in certain areas. Anyway, instead of both of you fighting each other, just give the info here and forget the matter. Let the reader decide which is good for them after reading your posts. Both of you are indeed giving good info which is beneficial for all.

^^^ Praveen, I don't think STD calls are allowed free (Upto 750 minutes, that is) in My STD 375R now. What about the old My STD 375? Is it still available? Or is it closed for new subscriptions?

^^^ Even if all the above happens, it will take them atleast 6 months or more to roll out services. After this the real tamasha will start. The CC will make the same nincompoopical blunders and the subscribers will continue to suffer and fight RCOM

^^^ Good for all of us if the above scenario actually happens.... Ha Ha Ha

Good and very useful information, Arun. Thanks a ton.

@ @mitj@in, What about RCOs like you? Are you not eligible for GSM of RCOM now? Try it out and post the reviews here. Any light on the numbering schemes?

^^^ I agree with raccoon fully....

^^^ 98 is already full, 99, 97, 90, are running now. 91, 95 and 96 series may be released shortly alongwith the new numbering plan when you will precede 1 more digit to your numbers. But maybe RCOM will continue with 93 itself. Not too sure, though. If they use 93, then existing CDMA users can easily migrate to GSM.

I have just now d/l the latest bill dated 1 aug'08. In this there is absolutely no mention of the WAP diff. access charges at all. But I cannot say with certainty that it will not appear in the next bill. The reason is as follows: - In my DAPO plan from May 2007, the roaming rates were revised to home roam scheme - i.e. all incoming calls within the 1st 400 minutes free and thereafter at Rs 1.90/mt. All local and STD outgoing as per my home circle rates. But effective June 2008, they advised me that Home Roam scheme was de-activated six months back ( no info, of course to any customers). All customers would be charged standard roaming rates of Re.1/Re.1/Rs1.50. I protested heavily and somehow got all waivers for June and July 2008. Further all roaming minutes would not be counted in the 400 minutes,so it is fully chargeable and no deduction of 40 ps also. Now in this July month(1.7 to 31.7) bill, once again the roaming rates are charged at Std roaming rates and I have lapsed my 400 minutes under DAPO also as whatever roaming minutes I have used will not be counted against my free minutes. This is most un-businesslike and un-ethical on RCOM's par not to advise old customers prior to such changes in charges. It is next to impossible to place any complaint with CC as they feign ignorance and refuse to register complaints. Cutting matters short, RCOM will definitely charge for WAP Diff Access charges in future. Be Aware and don't use WAP indiscriminately. They will simply say that we advised you already or your number was not reachable when we wanted to contact you and by saying so, they will escape responsibility. It is apparent that the dip in ARPUs and also profitability has adversely affected them and they are no longer the old RCOM now. Be ready for tariff raises, stopping of all free lunches etc from now on. The next target for RCOM's bomb blast is the free SMS's for DAPO. They will definitely target this now. They need to raise revenues at any cost, to hell with customers who want to leave RCOM. They will send you away now if you place a termination request and will not try to retain you like in the past with some goodies.

^^^ Already posted here: http://www.rimweb.in/forums/index.php?show...c=14682&hl= Mods, please merge this topic

^^^ Exactly, if one tech was superior than the other, it would have established a very definitive lead over the other..... So the best thing to do is to use your trusted landline as far as possible and use the mobile when you do not have access to any landlines.

@Ramchi, It should be MTN and Not MTNL. Secondly your post should qualify for the best joke of the century... Ha HA HA HA ha

Happy Friendship Day to one and all at RIMweb.... Have a Great Friendship Day..... Enjoyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

^^^ He wants to connect to internet thro' PCSuite as stated in his very first post. So disconnecting from PCSuite will not solve his problem.

^^^ Nowadays all operators are giving LT validity and the added advantage is that you can use any STV, any RC, any top-up offers etc on these LT plans. So why worry about paying for validity. RCOM is allowing full TT plus more on all its top-ups for all customers whether they are short validity or Life Validity. One more thing I have noticed is that most operators are offering better offers for LT than short validity customers. This is something I do not understand. It makes more sense to opt for LT validity and be a prepaider rather than a postpaider nowadays. Only problem with RCOM is that they do not offer Call conference, call divert etc and also no STD SMS packs for prepaiders. Otherwise I would have also converted to prepaid long back.

The Telecom Minister has said that the process will be started in 2 months time and the rollout will take place by March (or so) 2009. The following is the link: http://www.tech2.com/india/news/telecom/ch...-number/43951/0 So don't dream of changing providers within 2 months, it will take much longer than that. I presume that both 3G and MNP will not be available before end 2009 or maybe by March 2010 it will be in place. Be ready for a lot of litigations by vested interests.

@Arun, AFAIK, TATA-INDICOM is also offering 2.4mbps wireless broadband. Tata is also offering speeds upto 2.4mbps openly with its PHOTON service. The link is right here: http://www.rimweb.in/forums/index.php?showtopic=13982 Maybe I am wrong, correct me if so.... The Tata link is also here: http://www.tataindicom.com/HSIA-service.aspx

@anupe, I think most probably they will charge 10ps /10kb for browsing and another 10ps/10kb for offnet sites browsing. So if you browse onnet sites, you will pay only 10ps/10kb but if you browse offnet sites, then you may end up paying 20ps /10kb. This is better than the 1.10 per 10 kb, but I peronally think it is doubly expensive. This is my assumption of the revision in charges. Maybe CC (if they are updated) will provide better info.

^^^ getting a ration card is not an easy joke... If you have any tenancy agreement for your PG, maybe that will do. The best option would be to ask a travel agent for help in this matter. They will arrange some affidavits etc for you to obtain the PP. All the Best.