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