The Final & Formal Test

Finally here are the official results on Test3:

This was a test on Speedtest.net an unbiased internet speed check:

Testing Testing : Download Test…..

Here are the results for Test 2:

I think we see a pattern here!!

The files downloaded were the same for all connections and timeframe was about an hour.

The test was carried out at 1 AM at night (to get the least congestion possible).

Speed is King...

Ok so now we’ve covered Form and Install, basic but not the most important features of Mobile Net.

Here is what TOPS the list in terms of importance. We are constantly increasing our demands from our devices, be it

• mobiles / handhelds
• laptops / notebooks
• And all other gadgets we use

Everything today has to DO MORE. The phone went from just calling, to having a camera, storage, music player and mobile net. Hence, more and more emphasis on speeds – of processing and download / data transfer.

Same is the case with our computers – MORE RAM, MORE Processors, More Storage, More Speed, More Data and MORE MORE MORE!

With MORE Power comes More responsibility! - As one puts more load on the browser – multiple tabs and windows, the bottlenecks appear.

We find increasingly users are downloading more and accessing richer content online. I do it and so do my friends and colleagues – More Youtube, More Facebook, More Flickr – means:

1. More time on the net (waiting for it to load)
2. More data costs

But here is the thing – finally we seem to have some movement with the Telecom guys. There seems to be progress. So here is the analysis of the speed test.

We ran 3 tests:

• Test1: Check Gmail, Watch a Youtube video, Access 3 pages on Facebook
• Test2: Download content (files from yousendit and download.com)
• Test3: On Speedtest.net

Here are the results Test1:

1. Gmail: Includes loading the inbox page, post entering the password.
2. Youtube: Watched a 2:18 video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88P4iqu9G6Y
3. Facebook – Checked News, Checked Albums, Uploaded An Image, Deleted it.
   

Easy Does It!

So here we are on the testing phase of using the various internet services.

It was a bit of a task getting all the requirements for this test given what we were comparing, and not wanting to lose out on the Confounder Principle.

So Ingredients include:

1. All six dongles with CDs (Reliance HUAWEI and ZTE, Tata P2S and Photon+, Idea Net-setter, Airtel USB and Vodafone 3G).
2. We're not doing BSNL and MTNL as they aren't major contenders in this segment anyways.
3. We're also not doing PCMCIA cards – as that is the old way and will slowly ease out of the market.
4. We also needed different computer types:
   

• Windows XP
• Vista
• Mac
  

To keep things similar, the configs are the same for all – 2 GHz, Core II Duo, 2 GB Ram, USB 2.0

We tried the install and use on the following parameters:

1. Install from a CD
2. Install from a download of drivers
3. Help info provided and step by step guide
4. OS compatibility
   

So here is a ball by ball:

Reliance
Huawei – quite easy to install on the Vista and XP. Setup of the account is slightly confusing. At first, I needed to call the help line (which is always annoying when its Reliance), but then they sorted out what needed to be done.
Requires a restart.
They’ve recently done a site revamp and put step by step instructions on – but a silly mistake, uploaded DOCX files, which many users, who haven't upgraded office, will struggle with. And the steps are just for Windows!

ZTE – they have driver for Windows but not Mac, but not for MG880 – that I have. Been quite a struggle to figure out how, but there are some smart souls who helped. Follow the steps on this blog and it will work:
http://rahulgmehta.blogspot.com/2008/01/reliance-mg880-modem-script.html

The interface on both counts was clunky and slow.

Rate: 4 on 5

Tata

P2S and Photon+ installs were completely painless. The CD comes with an elaborate Step-wise instruction manual and the requisite driver files for all kinds of computers.

Muchos agradacer! - In case you’re looking for the Plug 2 Surf Links – here goes:
http://www.tataindicom.com/t-personal-internet-plug2surf.aspx

They have links for all Windows (Vista and XP) and for Mac.

Photon+ is just launching in different parts so I think their links arent there yet. But You get them in the Welcome Pack.

Interface was rather simple too.

Rate: 4 on 5

Vodafone
Again an easy install, though again help with the settings should be inserted. Their site is now very user friendly for this and CD doesn’t cover most info. Customer Service to the rescue again.

Inteface is again complicated and intimidating to 1st generation internet users. Too much data.

Rate: 3 on 5

Airtel
Simple but slow application. Takes forever to load. Sometimes even hangs.

Interface – clean.

Rate: 3 on 5

Idea
Very poor instructions. You would think being the last entrant they would take care of simple compatibility issues and explanations and learn from others' mistakes.

Interface – Basic. A little too plain

Rate: 2 on 5

The Usual Suspects...

So having identified what we need to compare, we're going to start with the most visual and apparent side to the various products.

Our options are:

• The Reliance HUAWEI and ZTE USB Dongles
• The Airtel Data Card and Dongle
• The Idea USB Dongle
• The Tata – Plug 2 Surf and Photon+ Dongles
• The Vodafone PCMCIA and USB connections.

There’s a clear evolutionary movement one can trace through the various dongles. The newer and more modern they are, the lighter and slicker they look in design.

From the days of the PCMCIA slots and the obtuse looking antenna emerging from the sides, I remember the days where Tata improved the form factor first by allowing it to disappear back inside the device.

Then, of course, the rest followed suit and Vodafone did the best job at making it look slick (again – by virtue of being a late entrant).

Then, everyone went USB and Reliance had an obnoxious looking dongle in partnership with Huawei. Of course they did upgrade with the ZTE model which the other operators also do offer.
Their latest dongle though (from Huawei) is quite interesting, and looks like a bluetooth headset – very stylish and modern. Speeds and Connectivity though are yet to be tested.

Vodafone too has brought out its 3G dongle which is also stylish like the Reliance Dongle. In Ceramic white, it seems edgy (pardon the pun). The good thing here is that, finally someone has bothered to convert this into a memory device as well and hence provide the drivers built in.

For the longest time, Tata had Plug2surf which was the smartest on the block, and hence we have two of those in my home. But the one that really takes the cake is the NEW Photon+. The dongle launched in Mumbai is quite cool. Again in white and with its rocket-like image (I’m referring to their ads), it seems rather delectable.

This too comes with its drivers built in, though I’m not quite sure of the memory on the stick.

Both Idea and Airtel are like boring black old style pen-drives, so not much to speak of there.

So my rankings are:

1. Tata Photon+
2. Vodafone 3G
3. Tata Plug2Surf
4. Reliance Huawei (New Version)
5. Idea and Airtel

Look out for more soon, coming up next is the Ease of Use and Driver Compatibilities!!

Hey people!! As you all must be knowing, I shall be reviewing most of the key players in the internet-on-the-go space. Last post, I mentioned how these devices have become so critical in our day-to-day lives, especially for those of us in the IT industry. Also, being a tech enthusiast, I would be trying out various new age wireless internet devices, to figure out what's best, and posting reviews on this blog.


To start off, lets narrow down on the contenders. I'll be looking at the offerings from Vodafone Mobile Connect(USB stick and Data Card), Idea(Netsetter USB), Airtel (Wireless Data Card and USB Modem), Reliance Netconnect CDMA(High Speed 1x and Broadband) and Tata (Vdata Card, Plug2Surf USB Modem and Photon+ Broadband).


And to gauge which one is best, I'll be reviewing each one of them on the following parameters:

a) Signal Strength at various locations
b) Internet Speeds (Basic Browsing)
c) Download Speeds (Youtube, Mails, etc)
d) Connectivity while on the move (In a vehicle)
e) Tariffs and Plans (Activation, Data charges)
f) Device Form Factor
g) Ease of use (Software Installation,)
h) Compatibility with various Operating Systems(Availability of drivers, Other Issues)
i) How it is on roaming
j) Billing Processes and Payment Options
k) Support Services (Troubleshooting, User Info, Customer Care etc.)

So that's what's in store for this blog for the next few weeks. So, stay tuned and do leave your inputs or suggestions on the comments page. Watch this space for more.

Gadgets have always been my fascination. Especially when it comes to new product introductions, I can’t really stop the geek in me from testing and interpreting its efficiency! I regularly review new gadgets / tech products launched in the market and often create quite a debate in social gatherings. A blog was but a natural progression – appropriating active interest and discussions.

My work habits demand not only quick internet access but also internet solutions that provide easy mobility! I can’t imagine working without the internet. Being a part of the IT Industry, with the packed schedules and tight deadlines, staying connected constantly is imperative. And since one is constantly shuttling around from office to client sites, mobile internet has been a relatively unpromising solution.

Internet on the move is what I really want to focus on as I’ve had quite a tussle with that one.

I looked at service quality and performance of major High Speed Internet Access Devices available in India and abroad. Makes me feel we have a long way to go.

Problems have ranged from those of speed, ease of install and use, mobility, activation, network and more. Over the years, I’ve come across different internet services from different internet providers. Experience says that though the services have definitely improved, they have proved highly unsatisfactory compared to the growing demands and requirements.

Then there are compatibility issues and risks of running up a high data bill.

So coming up in the next few weeks is sort of a drill down on what works and what doesn’t – my homemade reviews of all that’s available and what’s best in the space of INTERNET on the Go.