A Broadband Connection in Cochin, Kerala - Tata, BSNL and Asianet at Binny VA

A Broadband Connection in Cochin, Kerala - Tata, BSNL and Asianet

I have decided to take a broadband connection after slaving so long under a dialup. I have not got it yet, but I have booked it(I have even payed for it). The connection I am taking is 128kbps, Unlimited bandwidth and unlimited time from Tata(VSNL). Since I don’t know who good the connection is, I will be testing it for 3 months - if it is good enough, I will move to the 6 months scheme.

I was told that I will get the connection in two day(by Monday - 28th Aug, 2006), but I have read just too many reports of this being an empty promise in the blogsphere. A more realistic deadline will be two weeks.

My options for a broadband connection were…

There are more options(like Airtel, Reliance) - but these were the ones that was most recommended in my city(Cochin).

Asianet

First I thought that Asianet was the best choice - but many of my coworkers who have this connection has been complaining about very slow speed. An advantage with this connection is that you get free cable - as the internet comes through the same cable that, well, cable TV comes through. So if you disconnect the internet and hook the cable to your TV, you get - cable TV. Series of tubes, people.

I don’t know wether this is legal - but I have heard reports of people doing this. Think of the effect this can have if you have a TV tuner card on you PC.

One major problem I have with this Asianet is its empty promises. If it promises free unlimited usage between 2 AM and 8 AM(off peak hours), chances are that you won’t be able to connect to the net at these time.

BSNL

This is considered by many to be the best offer - the charge is considerably less than Tata and you can have if you have the omnipresent BSNL land phone. The reports I have heard says that it have good speed. One problem I have heard about this is that it cannot be trusted - if you have heard an offer that says internet is free between so and so hours, don’t fall for it - you will end up paying thousands of rupees that month. A cousin of mine fell for this - and had to pay 7000Rs that month.

Experiences with BSNL and their Internet Connections

Tata

Tata Indicom or Dishnet DSL or VSNL is the connection that I have picked. Many in the blogsphere have complained about that you have to wait a long time to get the connection(ie. the time between you paying up, and they bringing the cable to your house). Another major issue some have with it is their poor customer support. These two don’t affect me much. This is India, people. Wake up and smell the Apathy.

Some online complaints…

I will let you know when I get a connection, Till then, I will be crawling the web using my trusted Reliance Dialup.

Trackbacks & Pings

Got Tata Broadband at BinnyVA on 30 Aug 2006 at 11:28 am

[...] I got the Tata broadband connection yesterday - that was fast. I was expecting at least one week wait before getting the connection. [...]
Fedora 9(Sulphur) Released » LinDesk on 13 May 2008 at 11:46 pm

[...] have started the download - but I have a 256kbps internet connection - and it will take around 4 days for the download to complete. After the install, I will write a [...]

Comments

Jacob wrote:

It was indeed a great help to see your comments. I am fed up withthe bsnl tel connection and am seriously considering the TATA option. I am told I need to enable JAVA script . Is that so ?
What is your experience now that you have a TATA connection ?

Posted 08 Sep 2006 at 10:16 pm ¶
BinnyVA wrote:

JavaScript have no connection to the broadband. This message is caused if you have disabled JavaScript and goes to a site which uses it.

I still like the TATA connection - good speeds, full time connections - no big problems so far. However sometimes, I lose the connection for about 20 seconds - don’t know why - but not a big problem. More of an annoyance.

Posted 10 Sep 2006 at 4:06 am ¶
phil wrote:

Hey Binny,
What do you think is the best internet service provider in Trivandrum? Seems TataIndicom does not have service in Trivandrum. I am looking for broadband connection that will be used maybe once or twice a week.
Thanks

Posted 15 Sep 2006 at 9:00 pm ¶
Lawrence Sinclair wrote:

I am thinking of setting up a small office in Cochin to start a new tech venture. Naturally, the number one thing I need is a good Internet connection. Your post on this is very helpful. Thanks.

Posted 22 Nov 2006 at 10:30 am ¶
Ace wrote:

I currently have BSNL unlimited 900 plus connection and need to pay only 1000 a month(100 modem rent) but the problem is that it is awfully slow and at times never connects and the connection is never stable.I am fed up with this BSNL ‘Unlimited’ setup

Posted 30 Nov 2006 at 7:51 am ¶
joel johnson wrote:

i have to get bsnl broadband

Posted 12 Apr 2007 at 10:58 pm ¶
Jojo Jose wrote:

What is your opinion about reliance connection?
Now they have come up with a new portable modem thing. They use the reliance towers and rends seem ok.
It doesn’t need a phone or any other over head.
Do you have any idea about it?

Posted 11 Jun 2007 at 5:26 pm ¶
BinnyVA wrote:

@Jojo Jose
I used Reliance for a while - not broadband, but dialup. It was OK - not all that fast - but enough speed was there.

Posted 11 Jun 2007 at 7:19 pm ¶
philip joel wrote:

iam using Vsnl broadband ( 478 rs unlimited)in my office. no problems yet. enough speed while downloads and sending emails.i think VSNL is the best among other competetors.the speed differs With the PC too. iam using the latest upgraded PC.

Posted 11 Jul 2007 at 1:11 pm ¶
Rajoo Shah wrote:

Need broadband conn. at Ahmedabad

Posted 10 Sep 2007 at 8:45 am ¶
kapilsreedhar wrote:

well ……asianet unlimited at 256kbps is good! but the speed gets less during peak day time.but is the best when comparing to all other unlimited connections in kerala…. any of u people using tata indicom 1mbps unlimited connection??? 3600rs per month??? i am going for that connection….if any 1 has any experience with it.pls mail me… kapilsreedhar@yahoo.co.in

Posted 20 Sep 2007 at 12:22 pm ¶
M. Vijayan wrote:

I booked for a broadband connection with BSNL on 19.9.2007 through internet. On checking up I was first informed that due to some technical snag, orders are issued not to open the emails. Subsequently, after another 10 days when I contacted I am informed that there is delay and instructions are there not to process orders for broadband. I need the connection at Tripunithura. India has developed in the communication field, but not the BSNL Ernakulam Office and its staff. Can you please do something to fasten things and get me connection within another 5 days so that the poor bloody Indians will feel that there is real progress.
M. Vijayan

Posted 04 Oct 2007 at 4:28 pm ¶
Anu wrote:

i think reliance is best net provider in trivandrum. they providing 2mbps unliminted connection with 900 rs per month

Posted 17 Nov 2007 at 2:21 pm ¶
anoop wrote:

i need an internet connectn at home, at ekm.. 4 use once or twice a wk.. which 1 shud i go 4??

Posted 03 Dec 2007 at 11:06 pm ¶
sunil wrote:

hi,

i am looking for an ADSL connection at calicut. which one is working good there and how easy is that to get it connected. pls provide me the details or numbers for the offices working in there. it will be of a great help.

regards

sunil

Posted 17 Dec 2007 at 4:57 pm ¶
jisha joseph wrote:

I have applied for bsnl broad band connection on last november. but not got till date. when contacted they said they are upgrading the system and I will get it within one week. No action till date

Posted 27 Dec 2007 at 11:42 am ¶
Prajodh wrote:

I have recently relocated from Hyderabad to Cochin. IN Hyderabad, I used to use 900 plus of BSNL broadband. I must say, BSNL was superb. Rare disconnections, excellent speeds, and for me who downloads tonnes of movies and music using P2P networks, BSNL unlimited plan was a boon.
Now, in Cochin I am a worried soul. I am getting mixed feedbacks of BSNL here. Wonder if Asianet or VSNL are good enuf for a high voltage user like me!
WHAT DO YOU SUGGEST PEOPLE???

Posted 14 Jan 2008 at 10:57 pm ¶
Binu Joseph wrote:

I read the horrible experiences of many friends. I have also the same experience. I took an Asianet Dataline internet connection ie 128 kpbs. They will never in the world gives you the promised speed. If we complain, they will blame the customer’s computer. This is a continuing game. I looked for VSNL internet connection, but it is not popular and expensive. Now I heard that BSNL broadband unlimited is reliable. It will give the promised speeds and no extra bill. But if if it cuts off, then you can expect after a long time. I also heard that services are not upto the mark. Now I am using BSNL dialup and Asianet.

Posted 06 Feb 2008 at 10:40 am ¶
Maya MAthew wrote:

I need to take a broadband connection in cochin. I would be using it mostly for voip calls and so would need good speed and reliable connection. Is there any providers which offers wireless connectiion with good speed? If not for wireless, which other connection would be ideal ?

Posted 16 Feb 2008 at 10:02 am ¶
Mohan wrote:

This is crazy. I live in the US and people here say that we know everything about computers and it is true but why is it that we cant find a way to increase the connection speed? I clocked my internet speed just before i wrote this and it was 22834KBps(22.299MBps) downloading and 735KBps(0.717773438MBps) uploading speed. I pay around 1600 rupees for that which is a great price when they sell 2MBps for 900 rupees from BSNL.

Posted 22 May 2008 at 7:31 pm ¶
Rizwin wrote:

Please mail me the cost details of Broadband Internet connections that can be used by me (only for homely use). I am staying in Ernakulam Dist. I am looking mainly at the costs inorder to avoid my present dialup connection. My phone bill is rising like Sensex. Hope u will do the needful.

Posted 23 May 2008 at 8:26 am ¶
Anoop Mohan wrote:

Hi,

I am doing home based medical transcription work at Kakkanad, Athani. Here we got only VSNL connection. Asianet and Airtel are not feasible here. What to do to take another net connection here ? Because VSNL is not reliable. Please help me.

Posted 23 May 2008 at 4:07 pm ¶
dil wrote:

can anyone tell me about internet services directly from sattelite receivers???

Posted 03 Jun 2008 at 2:08 pm ¶
Sudheer wrote:

Does anybody suggest a better net connection available in Eloor (Udyogamandal, Kochi) area sofar. I got a lot of advices, but dosent match each other.

Could you guys help me to suggest a best available on in this region with you practical exp.

Binny VA
Could you give me you mail ID for any further communication if possible.
Sudheer

Posted 08 Jun 2008 at 12:21 am ¶
shoukath wrote:

please inform me the cheep and best internet connection in alleppey (near railwaystation)

Posted 08 Jun 2008 at 10:24 pm ¶
Priya wrote:

pls inform me the best wireless internet connection in Alappey {Haripad}

Posted 24 Jun 2008 at 10:02 pm ¶
Ihsan Ibrahim wrote:

Hey Guys!
I am usiing a BSNL Data Card It is very good.It has got a max speed of 2.4 mbps and only 550 Rent (If you are ownnig it) other wise 750 is the rent It Has Free Roming In All Over the State (2.4 Mbps is only available in selected cities) for more Details Visit Bsnl Web Sites

Posted 29 Jun 2008 at 11:11 pm ¶
Venkat wrote:

Can you recommend me a WIRELESS broadband internet connection in kerala which works in Alleppey and Mavelikkara.

Urgent requirement.

Posted 15 Jul 2008 at 4:08 pm ¶
dsgfsdf wrote:

http://bsnl-data-card.blogspot.com/

Posted 19 Jul 2008 at 7:51 pm ¶
Joji wrote:

hi binny..
nice to read your comments..i have recently relocated from alleppey district to kakkanad..somewhat very near to your place. so i was in a search to which connection should i pick, basically for voip and remote login..what’s your opinion.? after inquiring bsnl , i was told that broadband connection is not feasible.
any comments on this are greatly appreciated..thanks:)..

Posted 21 Jul 2008 at 10:58 am ¶
Rajesh wrote:

I had a VSNL broadband connection for a long time. In Kakkanad their service is very poor. So I am no longer using it. My friend also suffering a lot with VSNL connection. Their minimum charge per month is Rs 450. I am looking for another provider.

Posted 22 Jul 2008 at 2:01 pm ¶
JK wrote:

i am in Bangalore, and was looking for a connection at my Kochi home, so that I can work from home sometime. Everyone here says good about TATA, but in Bangalore TATA is considered worst - as long as it works ok, response for customer calls not good. Airtel gives assured support ( i think a call is attended within 4 hours ). I have BSNL in bangalore, which again is good as long as it works, and it goes bad rarely. I dont think I can expect same in Kerala, with the built in lethargy malayalees have. qn. Is airtel giving good service there ?

Posted 28 Jul 2008 at 10:49 am ¶
SREE wrote:

i think asianet will be the best in the area of Haripad & muthukulam. they have lower plans with high speed (rs.199/pm @2mbps speed) & (rs.399/pm @64kbps, unlimited)

Posted 30 Jul 2008 at 1:42 pm ¶
SREE wrote:

BSNL stands next 2 Asianet. & in certain areas asianet can’t provide thier service.

Posted 30 Jul 2008 at 1:49 pm ¶
joji wrote:

the best alternative is BSNL.The various plans and speed are given below.

1.DATAONE-Broad band connection .the speed varies from 256kbps to 8Mbps.the unlimited plan is monthly 725.no rental phone is required

2.data cards
a: NIC: speed is limited to 144kbps,unlimited,monthly 250/ only

b: EVDO: speed is limited to 2.4Mbps,unlimited,monthly 550 only

for more details contact me between 9.30 am to 7.00 pm .the mobile no: is 9447535500

thanking you
joji

Posted 30 Jul 2008 at 11:56 pm ¶
SREE wrote:

THANK YOU JOJI
WILL CONTACT YOU VERY SOON

Posted 31 Jul 2008 at 10:22 am ¶
Mr. X wrote:

hi guys, i’m coming kerala and need a high speed internet. So here joji posted about BSNL connection any way thanks joji. I will contact you soon

Posted 06 Aug 2008 at 7:28 pm ¶

Binny VA