New connection, what should i know?

[rajil.s]

Hello

I am moving from BSNL to Airtel and had a few questions:
1. Can I continue to use my model+ADSL router as before or does Airtel force their own router?
2. Does Airtel share the PPP username and password?
3. What VPI ans VCI setting do i need for Airtel? With BSNL i was using VPI=0 and VCI=35, along with the model in bridged mode.

Anything else should i be aware about?

Thanks

 

[Sushubh]

BSNL modem should work fine on Airtel.
Some folks have reported that the sales guy force the router on you. It is not mandatory.
Airtel folks around here do give you the username and password. The guy who came to my place even saved it in a text file on my desktop. You can always take it from the modem backend. Assuming the modem saves the username and password in plain text which Airtel's own modems usually do.
@x720 should know the settings. Airtel guy should be able to give this info as well.

 

[Sushubh]

What to be aware of...

Keep an eye on data usage on the SmartBytes page.
Keep an eye on online forums for secretive plans and try to go for them.
Apart from that... I doubt there is much to worry about. Airtel is know to give speeds higher than the plans unlike other operators which try as hard as possible to deliver around 80% of the advertised speeds. For example... I rarely get above 3.2mbps on my Reliance Broadband connection. But I almost always get >4mbps on my Airtel's line.

 

[rajil.s]

I am guessing SmartBytes is a webpage to lookup about data consumed. I hated BSNL FUP page where one had to manually 'accept' or 'decline' the increase in speed. I hope Airtel doesnt work like that.

On my BSNL the PPP username was custom one (linked to telephone number) but the password was always 'password'. Does Airtel have a custom password?

Is it possible to get a modem only from Airtel? I dont need their router since I will continue to use mine. I just need a modem which can be put in bridged mode.

 

[Sushubh]

Airtel had a system like that. It would randomly redirect to their Smartbytes page and ask you to select an option. BSNL basically ripped off the exact system. Though from what i hear, they no longer do that. But I cannot be sure. Airtel is my backup connection and I rarely end up consuming 80% of the bandwidth these days.

BTW. Airtel's settings appear to be VC 1/32.

My user id is: [email protected]
Password is: My Account Number

Both numbers can easily be retrieved from the tweets I end up sharing here or there

I believe Airtel gives out D-Link router for free if you go for a plan that costs Rs. 1000 or more. At least I got that shitty router for free. I am sure they would let you opt for a basic modem though I suggest getting something of your own.

 

[rajil.s]

Thanks. My plan is to load balance between BSNL and Airtel using mwan3(How to use multiple WAN connections using the mwan3 package [OpenWrt Wiki]) for the time being. I am using a TP-Link TD-8616 (ADSL2+ Modem TD-8616 - Welcome to TP-LINK) modem at present but will need to get an additional modem for Airtel. Any particular modem you would recommend?

 

[Sushubh]

@x720 is the man.

 

[hyu]

Airtel is know to give speeds higher than the plans

My experience has been different. Recently bought Airtel's ADSL broadband. Took 16 Mbps plan, tested speed on speedtest.net : was coming around 7 Mbps download and around 0.7 Mbps upload for 16 Mbps plan. I'm in Delhi and on speedtest.net I manually selected "Bharti Airtel Ltd" Delhi server. Contacted customer care at [email protected] , then at [email protected] , had frustrating experience with both customer cares, still having speed problem.

 

[Sushubh]

ah well. 16mbps is a different thing altogether. you are getting close to the limitations of the technology and quality of wiring and distance from the nearest box etc. matter much. my experience is based on 4mbps and slower connections where it is easy to offer a buffer. you should still get at least 80% of 16mbps to their own local speedtest.net servers in your area.

 

[igloo]

@hyu check again by logging into your airtel account.
sales guy could have tricked you into word game. I think you are on 8mbps plan because Airtel wont promise you speed if not feasible.
Like in my case I was told upfront that max I would get is 8mbps not 16mbps even when the plan was upto 16mbps.
They have got same plan name with different names for sake of feasible speeds. like 1399plan has 16mbps, 8mbps, 4mbps and 2mbps variant. speed is written within the plan name.
Better call cc and ask how much max speed your line is eligible for.