Here I am writing a review of BSNL EVDO after using it for more than a year in Pune city. Basically I am very much fascinated with BSNL that, in Pune I I started working as a DSA of BSNL. I am authorized for sales of all BSNL products in Pune and all Maharastra(for any wireless device like EVDO and CDMA phone).Anyway, let me come back to the Point again.
BSNL EVDO
Now Roaming is also enabled in BSNL EVDO, hence in EVDO enabled cities, you can get upto 3.1 MBPS speed and cities/small towns/ villages wherever there is CDMA network, you can get 230 kbps speed.This is all theoretical. Practically from one year, I observed
Speed: I stay on third floor and very less obstruction because all buildings in my locality near Vishrantwadi are upto 4 floors, hence speed on top floor, I got is upto 1.3 MBPS also sometimes.But averagely, I get 600 kbps to 900 kbps.On ground floor, I tested, it gives upto 450 kbps in my same building premises while downloading a movie, I get download speed of around 80 kbps
Actually the CDMA tower from my building is 1.5 kms approx.
I tested it in various areas in Pune(Since I am a DSA, I show a demo to my customers at their desired premises before purchasing, which I think is ethical.Why should customer waste their money if the device dont work at their place after purchasing.I dont sell the device if it doesnt work at the location.I am not praising myself, but I am talking in favor of customer.I want satisfied customers only.It doesnt matter to me if I gain few customers only, but I have to decided to do business by ethics only.)
In Pune, Areas of Dighi, Dhanori, VimanNagar, Vishrantwadi shows good speed(300 kbps at ground floor and around 800 kbps from third floor and above).And download speed of around 100 kbps and upload speed of around 60 kbps.But this speed is somewhat fluctuating.suddenly it falls down to 20 kbps and below and the next flush, it rises upto 80 kbps and so on.Also this download speed varies with the height.
At ground floor, you get around 15-20 kbps download speed and on top floor, you can get around 40-50 or sometimes 80 kbps also.
In congested areas nearby Laxmi road and the central parts of city, I found that this device showed poor performance.hardly 150 kbps on ground floor and the signal strength was also very weak and on third floor and above, hardly it showed around 200 kbps and yet the signal strength was not consistent.sometimes 3 bars in signal strength, sometimes 5 bars and next minute, there is no signal.
Thus in the congested part of city, this EVDO fails.EVDO only works well when there is no big obstruction in between(a 10 storyed building/hill etc).On topmost floor, it works fine but ground floor is a problem for this device.
I also tested it in villages nearby Pune where CDMA 1.x is available.Though the device can give 230 kbps, but I got 192 kbps max in rural areas.
Also in areas very very near to the telephone exchange in cities, EVDO device showed good download speeds.In telephone exchange premises, it showed almost 1.2 mbps and good download speed above 100 kbps and super fast internet access.This trend was shown in the areas surrounding the telephone exchange(I tested it near Model colony, Katraj, Yerawda and Vimannagar exchanges)
INTERNET FOR RURAL AREAS
But in rural areas, Internet access through CDMA phone is much feasible than a EVDO.You can go for a plan 99 option of CDMA(minimum rental plan) and 250 rupees rental unlimited usage plan through CDMA phone and speed upto 230 kbps.For roaming facilities, you are charged 100 rupees rental extra
Thus in 350 rupees, you get a phone plus internet access from your CDMA device(without roaming)
Some fair conclusion
1) If the CDMA/EVDO tower is nearly 1 km from your location, EVDO will show good performance
2) In areas 2-3 kms from the tower location, it will show average performance
3) And areas above 3 kms and further from the tower, performance for this device can’t be guaranteed
4) Also in congested areas, this device doesnt work well
5) Nearby airport/airforce base, this device doesnt work well because there are no towers in the nearby vicinity, hence if your location is nearby airport, you will get fluctuating, inconsistent signal strength and speed will be maximum around 300 kbps
6) For rural areas, CDMA 1.x phone is better for internet access(It is also called as Rural Broadband by BSNL)
Most important thing before purchasing a wireless internet device
Please have a demo of the device at your desired location only.Till the service provider is not ready to show the demo at your place, dont go for purchasing the device.Because if you go to any shop/showroom, these people have their showrooms near to the Tower location, hence the device works properly without any problem at the showroom.But it is not guaranteed that it will work at your place.
Ask for a demo at your location before purchasing.After all its your money so think twice before spending
Thanks and Regards
Pankaj