Here’s another full value plan but this time it’s from Tata Indicom for its Gujarat circle customers. There have a few Full Value 199’s and 299’s from different operators but this is the first time we came across a Full Value 399 plan.

Plan Details:

• Monthly Rental: Rs 399
• CLIP: Rs 25 (optional)
• Monthly commitment: Rs 424 (399 + 25)
• Free calls: 425 local calls to any number
• All Local calls and SMS’s to Tata numbers: 50 paise
• All Local calls to others: Rs 1.75
• All Local SMS to others: Re 1
• STD calls to Tata Numbers: Rs 2
• STD calls to others: Rs 2.65

We say: Although the plan seems to be targeted towards Full Value seekers, there are no signs of free SMSes which other full value plans offer. Also once you are done with the freebies offered along with it, the plan becomes pricey for calls and SMSes to other networks.

Karan Rawat is currently using the BPL Loop 299 Plan. With the plan working for him, he wanted to share his experience with the other readers. The basic reason for him choosing the Plan was the low calling and SMS rates. With Karan making calls to all networks, calls at 40 paise worked well. Also the 300 minutes of free calling and SMS to BPL numbers always came handy.

Karan thinks that the lowest calling rate in the circle (10 paise to BPL users) was one of the best deals one could get. Even the SMS costs are quite low. Moving on to the Customer Care and Gallery Services, this BPL user has no problems. He only voices some problems of bad network sometimes.

Overall, Karan is quite satisfied with the performance of the Plan and recommends it to people who are existing BPL users. He rates it 4 on 5.

BPL Mobile users can activate 10 ka Gang service to enjoy cheap calling rates within their set of 10 BPL numbers. Users can use this scheme right away by recharging their prepaid account with a e-topup of Rs. 249. A successful recharge will then allow the user to send 300 free SMSes every month to his gang members as well as calling them will cost 10 paise a minute. Rates outside the gang will be charged at:

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Idea made its grand entry into Mumbai on Thursday and the operator was all over the place. Here is one of the plans that would be available to users in Mumbai. This one is called Value Plus 199 and the components are as follows:

• Monthly Rent: Rs.199
• CLIP charges: Free for 6 months, Rs.50 after that
• Local calls to Idea numbers: 30paise
• Local calls to other cellphones: 50paise
• Local calls to Fixed Lines: Re.1
• Local and National SMS: 50paise
• Free 300 mins of Local calls to all numbers
• Free 200 Local SMS Free to all numbers

Additional Details: To start off users would have to pay Rs. 200 (Converted to Security deposit after 6 Months) as plan enrollment and Rs.99 as activation charges.

We say: This plan is more or less the same when you compare it other full value plans. Here they give you an extra 100 mins of free calling which is then compensated with the CLIP charges which you’ll pay after 6 months. Let’s do a quick math for the remaining 100 free local mins. Effectively, Idea isn’t losing much if you call on mobiles but will suffer if the calls are made on fixed lines (Re. 1 X 100 = Rs. 100).

As per the recent amendment made by the telecom regulator TRAI, mobile users will now have the freedom to choose any operator for making long distance calls, whether domestic (STD) or international (ISD) irrespective of their subscription to a particular service provider.

So, suppose you are a Vodafone subscriber and you find out that Airtel is offering the cheapest long distance tariffs, you can simply buy a prepaid long distance pack from Airtel for a specific time duration, punch in numbers mentioned on the pack, get on to the Airtel network and make your long distance call.

This whole thing of using virtual calling cards to make long distance calls works out in three simple steps:

1. Buy a prepaid virtual calling card of your desired operator
2. Punch in the calling card code on your mobile handset
   
3. Use STD/ISD services of the new operator

Indian telecom users enjoy the cheapest call rates. And with a new move from TRAI, it is bound to get more cheaper. They have allowed ISPs to carry out unrestricted internet telephony. This means cellular operators can provide long distance telephony services at lower cost and in turn reduced rates for the consumers. Cheap rates for Voice over IP (VoIP) is also in the offing.

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The Aditya Birla group-promoted Idea Cellular officially launched its mobile services in Mumbai, though they haven’t started attracting subscribers yet.

Idea Mumbai initially plans to set up 60 exclusive showrooms and a round-the-clock call center. It also plans to enter the data card and the local phone booth segment, popularly known as PCO.

Once, they are set up with the initial infrastructure, they’ll open up their services for Mumbaikars. And can we expect new tariff wars again?

Telecom PSU, BSNL has set its target of starting 3G mobile services by year end and be the first telecom operator in India to launch this facility. BSNL has decided to take a lead over private telecom operators and has placed purchase orders for necessary equipments required to initiate 3G services in the northern, eastern and western circles.

CIT Minister A Raja had given the lead to telecom PSUs BSNL and MTNL for allocating 3G spectrum ahead of others with a condition that both will pay the price equivalent to the highest bid. This was done keeping in mind the cumbersome process to procure equipments by the PSUs in comparison to that by the private players.

This move would definitely benefit BSNL with various the first mover advantages, couple of them being opportunity for early profits and status of monopoly.

This is a reminder who have not entered to win a Vodafone Magic Box. The steps are easy as 1-2-3. Go over here to know more.

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More abuse news for iPhone lovers as Vodafone released the plans which include voice as well as data. For a new postpaid user, there are three plan options - iPhone 499 (Rs. 499), iPhone 799 (Rs. 799) and iPhone 999 (Rs. 999). On the calling front, these plans will have free 199, 249 and 299 minutes (local & STD) respectively. All local calls go at 60 paise flat while STD at Re. 1. SMS charges are 1/2/5 (local/national/international). Heavy internet users will be disappointed because there is no unlimited data plan to go for. The free data usage per month for these plans is 50MB, 250MB and 600MB.

For existing Vodafone customers, you can add a data pack which has the options of Rs. 199 giving 50MB free, Rs. 499 (250MB) and Rs. 699 with 600MB.

Prepaid users need to buy a data bonus card which will cost Rs. 100 with no free usage. 5 paise per 10kb for additional data transfer.

Vodafone Plans

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