I want to get broadband internet access for my wife's parents in the Chembur/Kurla East area of Bombay. The idea is to get more bandwidth for communications like voice and webcam.
While searching the net for info, I discovered this group and read the thread on Powersurfer. There was a lot of info hard to find elsewhere, such as the facts that average speeds can be 8-10 kbps, the back-end bandwidth is 2 mbps, and it can take months to get service after signing up because they need a minimum number of users in an area. So it looks like a good idea to start a discussion in this group on what's going on.
If any of you have experience with broadband in Bombay, no matter whether cable, dsl, or wireless, I'd love to hear about it. For example, what average speeds are you getting? How reliable is the connection? What troubles did you have getting set up? How responsive is the customer service? How are the reputations of the various providers? Is it really superior to a dial-up connection? Are there other things you wish you knew before subscribing?
Thanks in advance,
Tom
--- Thomas Raffill raff@cse.ucsc.edu wrote:
So it looks like a good idea to start a discussion in this group on what's going on.
sorry mate, this is a linux-related group..that kinda detailed discussion would be out of place here.. suggest u try mouthshut.com
regards, kishor
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Thomas Raffill wrote:
If any of you have experience with broadband in Bombay, no matter whether cable, dsl, or wireless, I'd love to hear about it. For example, what average speeds are you getting? How reliable is the connection? What troubles did you have getting set up? How responsive is the customer service? How are the reputations of the various providers? Is it really superior to a dial-up connection? Are there other things you wish you knew before subscribing?
I use Broadband Pacenet - http://www.pacenet-india.com They provide their Internet service via Ethernet.
The downside is that their service only provides Windows-based dialers (that don't work using WINE since they use windows-based RASPPPoE protocol) for connections. I use them on my Linux PC and Apple iBook by setting up a classic Celeron (366) PC as secured proxy.
Speed-wise they deliver what they promise. The metering depends on your plan. See their website for details. I have an limited speed - unlimited BW plan i.e. I have a specific speed with which I connect and I can surf / download / chat, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, ...
The way they deliver it is Pacenet > Local Cable TV Provider > You. So the service depends on *you know who*. They do have customer service numbers and they are responsive to general-level queries.
Their service can go down all of a sudden without warning and the communication process between the local cable provider and Pacenet does not work out too well at such times. On average a downtime of 2-3 hours every 10-14 days. The reason I stay with them? Their rates are the most economical amongst the other options in my area!
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Clinton Goveas -
kishor bhagwat -
Thomas Raffill