iPhone 4: iOS4.2.1 + MTNL (Mumbai) 3G Prepaid SIM
Asking MTNL for help in setup is a waste of time. This is what has worked for me:
Settings >General > Network> Cellular Data Network >
APN: gprsppsmum
Username: mtnlmum
Password: mtnl123
Exit 'Network' > enable 3G > exit Settings. Wait until '3G' shows up, then start browsing.
I still haven't managed to get MMS working. Any help would be appreciated.
Performance:
Surprisingly, 3G speeds on my iPhone 4 are slower than MTNL's Data Card speeds! On the iPhone, I'm averaging 380 - 424 kbps vs. 2.1Mbps with the Data Card connected to my Macbook. Same location, same time, simultaneous speed check.
Considering that the iPhone 4 has both HSDPA and HSUPA, making it a 3.5G device capable of theoretically achieve 7.2Mbps d/l and 5.8Mbps u/l, I am surprised that it is doing less than 1Mbps with MTNL Mumbai's 3G.
Update:
After escalating things up to the MTNL head honchos, I made some discoveries.
Apparently, the DataCard comes with HSDPA activated, while the SIMs do not; one has to pay more (some 50 bucks) to get HSDPA activated on it. Why MTNL does not mention this on their website, I don't know.
Anyway, after a little back-and-forth, HSDPA was activated by MTNL on my iPhone SIM, and surprisingly, the speed shot up from 0.39Mbps to 1.16Mbps. So, there's something in that. Will continue to pursue them to see if speed increases further, as it should.
Here is a verbatim quote from the MTNL GM in charge:
"Warm Regards from MTNL.
Kindly confirm whether you have activated HSDPA in your I-phone number. If it is having only 3G facility, then download speed is app 4Mbps(384Kbps).
Data Cards are already activated with HSDPA facility."
The fight continues.
http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/441/photono.png
_______________________________________
Update 2:
Bad news I'm afraid. MTNL Mumbai is fooling the public.
According to SPA-GM MTNL, 3G speeds on MTNL will not exceed 400kbps... a far cry from the promised 3.6Mbps.
"If you want higher speeds, you will have to pay Rs.449 for HSDPA activation." And what will be the expected speed then? "About 1.4Mpbs on an HSDPA device".
So, pay 300% more to get speeds that you should have got in the first place!
Wonder if BSNL or MTNL Delhi is pulling this con also... anyone?
My speeds are again down to < 400kbps after Friday's testing (with HSDPA activated by MTNL).
Asking MTNL for help in setup is a waste of time. This is what has worked for me:
Settings >General > Network> Cellular Data Network >
APN: gprsppsmum
Username: mtnlmum
Password: mtnl123
Exit 'Network' > enable 3G > exit Settings. Wait until '3G' shows up, then start browsing.
I still haven't managed to get MMS working. Any help would be appreciated.
Performance:
Surprisingly, 3G speeds on my iPhone 4 are slower than MTNL's Data Card speeds! On the iPhone, I'm averaging 380 - 424 kbps vs. 2.1Mbps with the Data Card connected to my Macbook. Same location, same time, simultaneous speed check.
Considering that the iPhone 4 has both HSDPA and HSUPA, making it a 3.5G device capable of theoretically achieve 7.2Mbps d/l and 5.8Mbps u/l, I am surprised that it is doing less than 1Mbps with MTNL Mumbai's 3G.
Update:
After escalating things up to the MTNL head honchos, I made some discoveries.
Apparently, the DataCard comes with HSDPA activated, while the SIMs do not; one has to pay more (some 50 bucks) to get HSDPA activated on it. Why MTNL does not mention this on their website, I don't know.
Anyway, after a little back-and-forth, HSDPA was activated by MTNL on my iPhone SIM, and surprisingly, the speed shot up from 0.39Mbps to 1.16Mbps. So, there's something in that. Will continue to pursue them to see if speed increases further, as it should.
Here is a verbatim quote from the MTNL GM in charge:
"Warm Regards from MTNL.
Kindly confirm whether you have activated HSDPA in your I-phone number. If it is having only 3G facility, then download speed is app 4Mbps(384Kbps).
Data Cards are already activated with HSDPA facility."
The fight continues.
http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/441/photono.png
_______________________________________
Update 2:
Bad news I'm afraid. MTNL Mumbai is fooling the public.
According to SPA-GM MTNL, 3G speeds on MTNL will not exceed 400kbps... a far cry from the promised 3.6Mbps.
"If you want higher speeds, you will have to pay Rs.449 for HSDPA activation." And what will be the expected speed then? "About 1.4Mpbs on an HSDPA device".
So, pay 300% more to get speeds that you should have got in the first place!
Wonder if BSNL or MTNL Delhi is pulling this con also... anyone?
My speeds are again down to < 400kbps after Friday's testing (with HSDPA activated by MTNL).
Was wondering what is the 3G data services scene there? Who has the best coverage in Mumbai/Navi Mumbai?