Internet connectivity options

Back after few days of break or has it been more than a month! 

Thanks to all the readers for provided feedback aksed questions or gave comments - very much appreciated. If you have questions/doubts, pls don't hesitate to ask - I have been in the same boat a year ago and have made it so far here :-)

One topic that I had questions/doubts and didn't get clear answer was about Internet connectivity once I reach here and afterwards. For techies like us, Internet is like water, can't live without. Also, gives the option of working from home, which is valuable when whole family is trying to settle down. Have tried couple of options so far and listing down some feedback that could be useful...

Two main options here: DSL based versus Data Cards(also called USB Dongle here).

DSL based: 
Airtel and BSNL are the two main players in Bangalore. Airtel may not be available in all of the areas and apartments unless they are wired but most of the places have BSNL connectivity. Once we were in the apartment, getting AirTel enabled was easy - called them and the service man came in a day or two, gave the DSL modem(I had to buy that from them), configured it (he even offered to configure the wireless router but didn't have a 110V supply for that one yet). Internet was enabled in few minutes.

It is a pain to work with BSNL though like any public sector - and BSNL is known to be one of the 'better working' public company! Haven't seen that 'better' part yet. BSNL has to deal with pretty low skilled labour (like linemen) and that is where the problem lies - most of the tech people are good and can resolve issues, configure your modem etc) but these linemen who has to enable the line to your home or put a new line are pretty 'old' fashioned. Only option is to physically load them to your vehicle and get them to your place. Otherwise, they simply won't show up. And after 2 months of usage, our DSL bill is not yet generated! So far, the connectivity has been ok - not much dropped connections, eventhough the DSL modem(which worked fine with AirTel DSL) sometimes gets hung when used along with the wireless router and VOIP phone. Hasn't been consistent enough to start debugging yet. AirTel was pretty solid when it came to connectivity and consistent speed. BSNL speed is ok as well and I can work pretty smoothly with remote servers.

Data cards: 
Many choices here with varying degree of speed and consistency. Have tried Tata Photon, MTS and AirTel and AirTel has been the best so far. Getting them is not too difficult but once you have some type of address proof. When we relocated last year, got the Tata Photon - government mandates photos and address proof documents and they do a address verification as well. If you have started renting, this is one of the reasons to have a rental agreement - it will come in handy in many places like driving license, electricity, gas connection etc. Some renters may not be too keen in providing this but you MUST and SHOULD get the rental agreement with address mentioned. If you don't have a rental agreement, passport works as well(you might be surprised but even a expired, cancelled passport copy can work as well in some cases!). The first card I got was Tata Photon - speed wasn't that great at all but gave me connectivity at e-mail level.

Since we moved after a year, wanted the data card again when we establish the Internet at new place - this time only BSNL was the option. Tried to get the old Tata Photon activated again. I was asked to visit their retail shop in Koramangala, visited them in the evening and what a horrendous experience it was. They made me wait 2 hours (all the while 5 support people where crowding around a desk and chatting) - just to tell that it will take few days for them to re-activate it. There were lots of people waiting and frustation level was pretty high - really surprised to see a Tata owned high tech setup working in such an inefficient way. Droped the idea of renewing that card. Gave them a piece of mind before heading out.

Next was AirTel - got the card from office since they had a corporate deal. It was suppossed to get enabled in a day but took 2 days - for some reason, the card was marked as 'inactive' and had to wait until that was resolved. Address verification happens later on. Once the connectivity was enabled, it was easy to connect and speed was very good. They promised 7 MBPS but was consistently getting 1.5 to 2MBPS, which was good enough for our usage. There is a data limit of 6GB or so per month and with full family using internet, you would reach that limit easily. After the limit, speed drops to 512KBPS, which is useless anyway. If you are on the pre-paid plan, you could possibly recharge as and when you need but the cost will add up to be more.

Parallelly tried MTS as well - once of the worst so far. They offer to come and check the speed in the area before you buy. Was in a hurry and bought it as-is. I don't think I ever saw more than 0.5MBPS on that one. Connectivity was consistent but speed was not something we could work with. Stopped it after using for 2 months.

Only issue with data card is - multiple people using it at the same time. I am sure there are wireless modems that can handle a USB card as well but you need to run an application before you can connect. My wireless modem has a USB slot but haven't yet figured out how to connect. If you have some experience, pls drop a comment. I am sure that will come in handy for many folks.

There are other options like Wi-MAX from AirTel (where an antenna is placed in the home itself) but haven't explored those yet.

Also, another word of advice - if you are moving, get the new data cards at least 2 weeks before the move - this is so that the companies have time to do address verification. If the verification doesn't happen because you have moved, card will get disconnected and you will be left dealing with customer support reps!