Outlook Money has some questions for you!

[Sushubh]

Outlook Money is doing a story on how to pick an internet service provider.

Here are some questions you can answer in this thread:

1. How should one decide on the speed of the Internet connection he needs? Is there any thumb rule for different uses like video chatting, downloading, sending heavy files etc? Please elaborate.

2. How does one decide whether to go for a limited or unlimited download connection? How does he make an estimate of his Internet usage before making such a decision?

3. Are Wireless Internet connections in India as good as broadband connections? What is it that one needs to keep in mind before getting a wireless connection?

4. Are cable connection worth going for? Some Internet connections say local cable or even service providers like SIFY etc may be cheap compared to an Airtel, but their service might be much poorer. How does one choose a service provider?

Feel free to add in your own comments.

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1. How should one decide on the speed of the Internet connection he needs? Is there any thumb rule for different uses like video chatting, downloading, sending heavy files etc? Please elaborate.

TRAI has defined 256kbps as the minimum broadband speeds. It used to be fine for most online activities. Not any longer. If you are into video chatting, downloading and sending heavy files, you should consider speeds of above 512kbps. 512kbps unlimited is currently in the affordability range. But 1 mbps unlimited is more like it. Anything less is good for regular surfing only. YouTube is likely to work fine on 512kbps Unlimited but not for their HD videos.

2. How does one decide whether to go for a limited or unlimited download connection? How does he make an estimate of his Internet usage before making such a decision?

If you are fine keeping an eye on your download limits. If you are only going to use the net for chatting and email activities... Limited connections are fine. But if you are thinking of anything beyond that or you are too careless to keep a limit on your usage... Unlimited connections with even not so fast speeds are a safer bet.

3. Are Wireless Internet connections in India as good as broadband connections? What is it that one needs to keep in mind before getting a wireless connection?

No. Wireless internet connections are not as good as broadband connections. Tall promises are made by both Tata and Reliance (3 mbps connectivity!). Connectivity is poor in most areas. Speeds fluctuate a lot. And there are no unlimited packages.

4. Are cable connection worth going for? Some Internet connections say local cable or even service providers like SIFY etc may be cheap compared to an Airtel, but their service might be much poorer. How does one choose a service provider?

Cable connections are fine only as an alternative to dial up internet. Otherwise, it is better to stay away from them as they are very unreliable compared to alternatives. Sify Broadband and Hathway have a terrible reputation. Experience would differ from one cable guy to another.

Essentially, picking up an internet service provider is a relatively easy task. If you have Airtel, you go for that. MTNL or BSNL are the next best options. If you cannot get any of these three... you would have to make a tough decision.

 

[ghatoch]

1. How should one decide on the speed of the Internet connection he needs? Is there any thumb rule for different uses like video chatting, downloading, sending heavy files etc? Please elaborate.
2. How does one decide whether to go for a limited or unlimited download connection? How does he make an estimate of his Internet usage before making such a decision?

First he should understand the basics of Internet.Most of them think Download limits as to only if they download songs/movies/photos.Most of the users dont know that for every activity of Internet we will be using few bytes/bits/mbs.
Then he should understand for what he needs internet.And how much he is going to use it daily.
If he is normal users just surfing and downloading of small size files or sending photos etc then a 256kbps connection will be enough.But gradually he can go for more speed internet connection by spending little more. Video Chatting could be normal if the speed is consistent at 256kpbs,but knowing our providers we dont get that exact speed as there will be loss and we will get only upto 70% of actual speed.

3. Are Wireless Internet connections in India as good as broadband connections? What is it that one needs to keep in mind before getting a wireless connection?

No Way,We cant talk by walk,so obviously how can we expect Wireless to be better than Broadband/cable connection. In broadband itself we get ups and downs in internet.so obviously in Wireless we loose more % .

4. Are cable connection worth going for? Some Internet connections say local cable or even service providers like SIFY etc may be cheap compared to an Airtel, but their service might be much poorer. How does one choose a service provider?

hmm.Choosing any Service provider is big headache.As none of them can give u 100% satisfaction.SIFY had good brand image and little cheap rates too but no idea now.
BSNL is the most cheapest (unless you keep an eye on Portal usages).500Combo home based plan is best as per my view for a normal internet user.

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@ Admin, the question numbers should be
1.
2.
3.
4. (not 3.) :grin:

 

[icycool25]

1. How should one decide on the speed of the Internet connection he needs? Is there any thumb rule for different uses like video chatting, downloading, sending heavy files etc? Please elaborate.

Well just as the other guy said, customers at first must be aware that downloading does not merely mean "Right-Click & Save Target As", it includes the entire downloading of data during an active internet connection. And uploading is taken into account too by the ISPs thus giving birth to "data transfer". The person who wants an internet connection must be aware so as to why he/she needs it and what he/she is going to do with it. If the person just wants to check emails and chat, then a limited 1 GB connection with high speeds would be sufficient. Otherwise, if the person wishes to do more like video chatting, forum surfing, blogging with emailing then a 2.5 GB or 3 GB limited connection does the job. Similarly, the bar of allowed usage on a limited connection will rise if the user chooses a higher plan depending on the needs.

2. How does one decide whether to go for a limited or unlimited download connection? How does he make an estimate of his Internet usage before making such a decision?

If the person is very well aware or rather preplanned of the activities he/she is going to do online and that the activities wont exceed the preplanned schedule, then a limited connection is good enough. Otherwise, if the person is a crazy internet drug-addict(like me), who is more interested in surfing, blogging, video chatting, downloading movies/music/software/games, then an unlimited connection is always a better choice. But the speed would be slow, if the person wants an unlimited connection with a higher speed, then he/she can go for an Unlimited plan with better speed, but the person must be ready to shell a few extra bucks. Secondly, its very important to check if the ISP has implemented Fair Usage Policy or not. Most of the Unlimited plans these days are not truly unlimited since they come preinstalled with Fair Usage Policy. Tata Indicom and Reliance have Fair Usage Policy of 10 GB and 15 GB respectively. Even Airtel has one, but its 100 GB, which I guess is very very generous. Secondly, after crossing 100 GB, its just that the speed would be reduced, but still Airtel Unlimited plans are truly unlimited.

3. Are Wireless Internet connections in India as good as broadband connections? What is it that one needs to keep in mind before getting a wireless connection?

Never man. Wireless medium is an unguided medium so signal loss is quite common here. As a result, broadband connections on wireless would be slower compared to the ones on a wired broadband connection. Before getting a wireless BB, the person must be aware of the signal strength of the ISP in the resident area.

4. Are cable connection worth going for? Some Internet connections say local cable or even service providers like SIFY etc may be cheap compared to an Airtel, but their service might be much poorer. How does one choose a service provider?

Cable internet connections have a very poor reputation. In my area, the cable guy claims to offer BB, but when I asked about its speed, they told me its 128 Kbps. I was shocked coz it does not even meet the minimum TRAI requirement for a BB conn. Most of the cable guys are untrained and does not have good technical knowledge. Moreover, their services are not upto the mark which somewhat gives them a poor reputation. Downtimes in a cable internet connection are much more compared to the wireless ones.

 

[ranjitonly]

1. How should one decide on the speed of the Internet connection he needs? Is there any thumb rule for different uses like video chatting, downloading, sending heavy files etc? Please elaborate.

Ans: THe user shld know what is he taking the internet for. There are usually 2 categories of internet users in India.
1st: casual users who just use the internet to check mails & browse the www for information. ideal internet package: just plain vanilla internet no broadband required (as per TRAI Broadband is defined as 256Kbps), for these guys 156 kbps is enough or if they wanna spend, 256 kbps is more than enough. They can go for a package which gives them bundled usage of min. 400Mb to 1.5 gb.
2: usrs who r online almost 24 hrs or in their time at home or office or always online. these guys wld be the ones who are either on teh net browsing continuously or downloading or uploading continuously They wls need min. 256 kbps unlimited download if they gonna stick to social networking, video downloads, etc. dependign on their affordability. damage can be approx 700 to 999 pm. If they are into any streaming activity like video strweaming or video chatting, sending heavy files, etc they need min. 512 kbps unimited usage & upwards. damage can be 1200-1559 + pm.

However, I would advise potential BB users to wait bfroe finalising on a ISP or any BB tariff, as after Airtel & TATA anouncing new plains 2 weeks back & MTNL responding today, its gonna be all out war with BSNL & Reliance waiting & watching.

Overall, I would say Reliance WiMax & MTNL & airtel in that order are good service providers.
Disclaimer: im a Reliance WiMax user.

2. How does one decide whether to go for a limited or unlimited download connection? How does he make an estimate of his Internet usage before making such a decision?

Ans: as detailed in the previous answer, if individual is only going to check emails & do general browsing or blogging or social networking, eh can go for a connection which gives him bundled usage of 400mb to 1.5 gb per month. If the user is going to download & uplad lots of stuff or is going to be online almost 24 hrs, he shold go for unlimited usage. At the end it is all about VFM also. This is one choice which is easy to make.

3. Are Wireless Internet connections in India as good as broadband connections? What is it that one needs to keep in mind before getting a wireless connection?

Ans: I am assuming that this questions refers to either WiMax connections or the BB Data cards/USB modems that TATA & Relaince have launched. U shld i feel go for a wireless connection only if ur someone who is always on the move and does lot of work while locationally mobile through a laptop & netwbook. Also if ur referring to wireless internet provided by GSM/CDMA operators through their data cards its obviously strictly for users on the go for their laptops for mailing activities.
if ur going for a WiMax connection, u should check how robust their cell sites are & how good is the network in ur area. The installation is usually done afte checking the signal strength only in ur area from the nearest base station. Reliance WiMax is currently offering the best WiMax connection. Also not much wiring is required for WiMax connections. They are as good if not better than Wireline connections. Also ppl can wait for the launch of 3g in India, but the entry barriers for customers would be huge i guess as the tariffs would be quite high. Plus u need to have a 3g ready mobile.

4. Are cable connection worth going for? Some Internet connections say local cable or even service providers like SIFY etc may be cheap compared to an Airtel, but their service might be much poorer. How does one choose a service provider?

Ans: I would say on must go for the establised ISPs depending on the availability of the service in ones area. Better avoid cable net or Sify..service is pathetic & not professional. Go for MTNL/Reliance/Airtel/BSNL....

 

[~Hami~]

1. How should one decide on the speed of the Internet connection he needs? Is there any thumb rule for different uses like video chatting, downloading, sending heavy files etc? Please elaborate.

If a person is a heavy downloader he ll defenitely need a faster interenet connection. 1 Mbps i think is an affordable one for that kind users.

2. How does one decide whether to go for a limited or unlimited download connection? How does he make an estimate of his Internet usage before making such a decision?

simple. unlimited is for those who are connected most of the time online, those who download heavy files, those who work online .
limited is for those who do a normal browsing activity like checking mails, occasional small downloads.

3. Are Wireless Internet connections in India as good as broadband connections? What is it that one needs to keep in mind before getting a wireless connection?

Broadband connection is itself in poor condition. how can we comparen wireless with it. wireless hasn't even established fully in india. connection provided by reliance and tata is not at all good. sometimes they show good speeds sometimes it s not.. so basically the speed fluctuation is a biggest problem in the service provided by them.

4. Are cable connection worth going for? Some Internet connections say local cable or even service providers like SIFY etc may be cheap compared to an Airtel, but their service might be much poorer. How does one choose a service provider?

No they are not worth going for. better to stick with a nationalised internet provider like airtel, bsnl.

 

[Sushubh]

i was expecting the article to be online by now... outlookmoney does not show any.

 

[~Hami~]

will it show by author ? mean sushubh ?

 

[Sushubh]

that link shows the latest post by the author who contacted me. looks like the story has been delayed. might arrive on monday now.

 

[~Hami~]

hmmm.. fine then....

 

[Sushubh]

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