The Mobile service industry is a very competitive industry, wherein the providers are offering special deals. If you can catch an outlet at a proper time, you can expect some freebies like a free 32k sim loaded with services. However there is much to the story & it is a difficult choice to make...read on to find out what factors will help you choose the best suited for your needs and wants...read on. When choosing from all the wireless carriers, ask yourself some questions: Do you travel to many out-of-the way, small towns? Do you want to use the phone to send and receive e-mail messages? Would you like to be able to access Internet content on the go? Is your phone for emergencies and quick conversations only, or will you be using it to conduct business. We have two choices now, using CDMA also called WLL [Reliance, Tata Indicom & Garuda] or the GPRS based services [Orange, BPL Mobile, Cellone, Airtel]. If you are confined within Mumbai Limits (60 kms) The WLL technology is useful. I have my friends using Reliance [Their plans even make a penniless man own a mobile :-)))] are happy with the service, now that Tata Indicom comes into Mumbai Reliance & tata are poised for a major showdown, there is going to be a steep dropdown in the Tariffs. The WLL providers are talking of ’’paisa’’ tariffs which were unheard of, like a 30 paisa pulse which Tata Indicom is offering. Reliance started with ’’DAPA - Dhrirubhai Ambani Pioneer Offer’’, then costing 26000/- now is available for Rs 150/- only along with an instrument. Tata Indicom offers its Shareholders value for all tariffs & on instruments. However the coverage is much to be desired & the MTNL Garuda which again a friend of mine uses is very happy with their service. The WLL technology is the economical in the mobile services industry. All the 3 players are good at what they are offering & the difference in their Tariffs are not too much. However remain cautioned in reading all the tariffs, value added services like Internet connections, SMS [which is now allowed by TRAI for WLL providers] & all the fine lines in between. The problem with WLL is that you will be stuck with the Handset, you will not be able to change your service provider using the same handset as all the CDMA handsets are pre-programmed. Now a bit about the service providers.... WLL Providers 1. Tata Indicom - Tata is a trusted name & they offer quality. There is nothing like compromise for ’’Business’’. I am sure Tata Indicom will grab a chunk from Reliance & new customers. 2. Reliance - ’’ Mere papa ka sapna, Sab ka paisa aapna ’’, :-)))), now this is one sms I received when Reliance drooped their Tarrifs from a whopping Rs 26000 to anywhere between 150 - 502 Rs/-. I feel sorry for the lot who invested in the DAPA scheme when Reliance started their service with a bang...now its a frizzle. However, what counts is are you going to feel ’’secure’’ using Reliance. I Dunno. 3. MTNL : Garuda - They offer services at regular intervals of 4 months. Garuda has a decent base of customers & hence manage the service well. The Handsets they offer as told to me are of good quality [ not that what Reliance offers are not ], but well the difference between Good & better is Better. The problem with all the three are that you cannot ’’try’’ a service. Like a prepaid card of Rs 500 in the GPRS services. Hence a lot of risk associated with WLL. MTNL Garuda being a good choice, Reliance (there is a section on reliance Services on Mouthshut, so kindly breeze through it, there are a lot of reviews) is the most widely accepted so far & Tata Indicom is like testing new WLL waters. If at all you want a WLL provider I suggest let Tata come in, so you will have a better choice. GPRS Here you have a choice, there is Orange (Going to be Hutch soon), BPL Mobile, Cellone, Airtel. So many choices, so little information. Many of these companies offer more than a dozen calling options — from prepaid plans & postpaid that offers thousands of minutes worth of nationwide calling and mobile Internet access. New subscribers will have everything to gain & nothing to loose. 1. Hutch - Orange - In Mumbai I feel Orange is the best. I have written a review on Orange & there are many more reviews on Orange as well. I suggest please read the reviews at Mouthshut. 2. BPL Mobile - My good wife uses BPL & swears by the good service. No complains on billing, excellent roaming, economical tariff. BPL & Orange & Airtel & Cellone have almost the same tariffs to offer. 3. Airtel - Considered to be the latest entrant in Mumbai boasts of an excellent India coverage while roaming. Offers very economical tariffs & the rest of the story remains the same. The good thing about GPRS services is you have a choice of mobile instruments & other value added services like WAP, MMS etc, simply a better technology. WLL in india has much to be desired in terms of technology & remember you are left with an instrument, hence ’’choice’’ is the word & the mantra is sir ’’ its your personal call ’’ Mobile phones are the ultimate in convenience, But they can be downright confusing, too...........