Airtel in to mobile broadband
May 23, 2009 13 Comments
I went to Airtel store at Galle road few weeks ago to find out what are the HSDPA packages they offer. I have used Mobitel and Dialog HSDPA packages early so I know both are not delivering what we expect. The problems within those providers I have already discussed in my early posts. Airtel staff is seems very friendly 🙂 you don’t have to wait much, the system is efficient. The lady who talked with me about their HSDPA packages told me the details. As she said the speed is fine but I can’t believe that this speed is a possible one, 7.2Mbps? But it is ok if it is at least around 1Mbps. I found that Airtel is offering the best charges in Sri Lanka, looks very cheap comparing to others. But the thing is they are not so assure about the signal strength, means they haven’t got great coverage. That’s a big problem because we buy mobile broadband to use when we travel so it is a considerable fact. Airtel have full coverage only on Colombo 😦 . Most importantly Airtel’s unlimited package is truly unlimited. No FUP (Fair User Policy) as Dialog. That’s looks very cool to me because I hate Dialog FUP. Dialog gave me a package called “Unlimited” but actually it is a 6GB package, I cant even brows when they cut the speed to GPRS 😦 . My friend bought an Airtel HSDPA connection a month ago, according to him the only problem is the signal strength which is not look consistent. Also they are not sale HSDPA modems at a discount as Dialog but also they have locked the network in their modem also just like what Dialog did. But if you already have a modem bought form Dialog you can just unlock it thanks to Seejay.
How to Unlock the Huawei E220 HSDPA modem
Here is the full details about the Airtel HSDPA packages , any users please do comment about the connection , signal strength of the area because we all need to know about the connection, to find out whether it is really useful to move to Airtel as they said 🙂
|
Package name |
Celebration 300 |
Celebration 600 |
Celebration 600 |
|
Activation fee |
Rs.500 |
Rs.500 |
Rs.500 |
|
Monthly commitment |
Rs.300 |
Rs.600 |
– |
|
Monthly rental |
– |
– |
Rs.1499 |
|
Free data bundle |
1GB |
3GB |
Unlimited |
|
Charges for usage above free bundle |
0.5cent per 1KB |
0.5cent per 1KB |
– |
|
Downlink speed |
7.2Mbps |
7.2Mbps |
3.2Mbps |
|
Upload Speed |
1Mbps |
1Mbps |
1Mbps |
He conquers who conquers himself 
ya as u mentioned they offers the cheapest HSDPA packages in the island. and it l be awesome to have there service if and only if you u able to get good signal. else it l be useless. i m using a 600 package.+vat it l cost 796Rs. but still its the cheapest. mmm.. well im in somewhere near to kaduwela. but the signal strength is really low.but somehow im getting some. and its not stable. its really bad for stuff like downloading.gives a speed about 20KB/s- 45KB/s . but hopefully good for browsing. so still its not a waist for me.and they also have this ‘server resetting problem’. but only@ times. im gona hang on with it for some months and c whats happening.
thanx for the review.
ya pal signal matters . i gave up and moved to Mobitel
good job i was looking for an Airtel review 🙂
Not much fancies for me. I am in central colombo so i get around 50KBps . ya not much consistant and cant download torrents
any one use unlimited package?
Get everyone to come to Sri Lanka
bullshit. airtel has major coverage issues. their mobile broadband sucks.
ya bro, thats the story from most of users
Dude far as my concern AirTel offers a magnificiant service withne colombo.When i was going through your Tread, I found this ” But if you already have a modem bought form Dialog you can just unlock it thanks to SEEJAY”.The hotwireing of the Huwai E220 modem creditz should goes to Jhosef Harin.He is the founder of Unlocking.”Not Seejay”.Google search it you’ll find all the thing’s regarding above information.Thank you
@GTRZ,
thanks for mentioning dude. you are right
i just given that link just because it is much descriptive and easy to understand than other posts , also Seejay has suggested to search for “sd,” than the hex code , that was very useful to me.
As you said the credits should go to Jhosef Harin .
thanks for reminding me 🙂
thanks
I only get the 2G coverage and not 3G AT Gampola.Thinking of switching to mobitel.
But now airtel introduced the FUP from January 2010 as below
from 0gb -10gb downlink speed 1Mbps
from 10gb-12 downlink 512Kbps
from 12gb onwards 64Kbps