Rayboy

Im in Goa right now .  and im trying to be connected to my work and pending tasks from back in Kuwait. being in a remote area, there is no broadband(DSL) and dialup sucks due to low copper quality . So people have to live with GPRS. Airtel (India’s leading telecommunications) has come out with its AIRCARD (manufactured by “Option”).  They say it uses the EDGE network for internet services.. But i highly doubt it . to what i have connected in different key locations it only uses GPRS , which highly is sad.

Firstly it takes ages to register your SIM card and then to connect to the Network for internet. if you are lucky or if you live 15 metres above ground level( 2nd floor appartments) . you will get connected instantly. It connects at 214 Kbps … but speeds are maximum 4 kbps … unless you are at a super metropolian city .. i assume your speeds are at 64 kbps there.

During installation it creates it own LAN connection. so when you connect by this lousy service. it enables a network connection and your get your IPs by DHCP.  the Internet frequently disconnects. FTP uploads are close to impossible. it took be 45 mins to upload these 3 photos online . Browsing is ok .. .(since there is no other method). MSN & Yahoo refuses to login. Gmail survives the low bandwidth but messages reach really late.

It is a PCMCIA device. like the photos below

I highly do not recommend to use this device and airtel service for internet. the only thing i found useful in this, is the ability to send SMS directly from your laptop with their device software. apart from that this is pile of junk.

Since its the only thing i have to use this . i would rate this 1 out of 5.

Google Search tags : Airtel , Aircard , Airtel Broadband , Internet in Goa