MTS Kolkata - from my view

So, Kolkata has 4th CDMA mobile operator launched. it's MTS India. It launched in Kolkata on 21th May, 2009.

I posted 2 articles on 'MTS launching in Kolkata' Read here :

link 1: MTS India is going to be Kolkata's 1st Phase-II Operator posted on 27th March, 2009

(Read it for details of MTS, a JV between Indian Shyam Telelink and Russian Sistema)

link 2: MTS ad in Kolkata for 1st time posted on 19th May,2009

Why am I posting the old news of MTS started service in kolkata, main reason is I took MTS connection, so i thought to post with all details of MTS. that's why this delay. in this post i am goin to discuss all things -plan details and its benefits etc etc.

MTS India - website ; Kolkata Page ; Kolkata Launch Press Release - PDF

MTS Prepaid plan (No Postpaid is there now)

* Pulse rate: 60sec

* Lifelong condition Minimum of Rs. 200 Top-Up over a period of 6 months.

This lifetime prepaid plan is cheapest with respect to any operators in Kolkata, only comparable offer comes from R-Com CDMA which needs Rs 555 Jadu pack to call all locals @ 50p/min.

But they are not selling the SIM alone (FYI none do so, Tata Indicom, Reliance Mobile CDMA or Virgin Mobile), the CDMA factor working here, so if you wana take MTS connection you have to shell out over 1000 bucks. in Kolkata they r offering 2 handsets - one Samsung and one ZTE (I bought last one 'coz ZTE set looks better than Samsung one) - no Huwaei handset comes here - Check MTS Kolkata Handset page. The Samsung superstar costs 1200/- and ZTE C339 costs 1000/- along with free SIM with lifetime validity(which costs Rs 49/- actually). Don't expect hi-fi handset at this price, so these are very basic handsets. and using a chinese GSM-CDMA dual handset, i find best voice clarity when calling. 

Now come to Msavers (STVs, actually):

MSaver499 pack for local 10,00,000min free MTS 2 MTS call as 150min/day and 10SMS/day to all network
Verdict: this offer is not going to be hit among general users. but if u r too caring lover may opt for it. in that case buy 2 sets and recharge one connection with it.

MSaver 99- offers local calls to any mobile @30p/min and local landline calls @50p/min for lifetime
Verdict: i think it's going to be a hit !

both of above are introductory offer, and for limited period of time and till stocks last. so grab them, i insist to buy Msaver99. but you can recharge both !

apart from this two, Msaver 98(FREE CALLING TO MTS) offers local MTS-2-MTS free unlimited calling and MSaver 31 (SMS PACK) for Local & National 1000 SMS to all network ,both for 30days. There is another STD PACK MSaver27 to call STD @Re1/min for 30days [Note only STD tariff will change].

Recharge vouchers Visit here

[most RV(Rs 50,100,200,500) offers full talktime deducting only S.T. , but Mini Fills(Rs 20,10) deduct Rs2 as Admin Fee]

MTS Care(Kolkata)

9153155155 for Calling from other connections, 155 from MTS mobile

Fax: 9153166166

Email: 155.wb@mtsindia.in

Review: Customer Care is good, new operator so no waiting to connect Customer care executives, they are helpful and has good knowledge on MTS. 

Get MTS kolkata ads: http://www.mtsindia.in/kol_advertising.html

About Network : CDMA offers better coverage

MTS network is best as per it's a new entrant. calling is smooth and in 1-try,voice is clear. even Roaming to Rest of Bengal offers same seamless network! just unbelievable! I don't know whose tower they hired ! 

Roaming over India is available via Tata Indicom's network.

Outgoing Calls - good and fast to connect, but problem with Airtel,Vodafone sometimes happen.

SMS : outgoing well fast, though my sms to my own Smart no, was not delivered !

Incoming SMS is delivered fast, though BSNL Bengal circle mobile takes it as STD no. ! it's normal, as it also happens in case of Aircel Bengal & BSNL Kolkata no.s !  and you can get Delivery report too.

Value Added Services VAS :

On Handset option is available.

Missed Call Alert

Its free  :) 

**MTS SIM was not recognized by Nokia 6275 (bought with Reliance),which works with Tata Indicom SIM card. PIN Code is asked and '12345' or '0000' is not working! though a chinese handset works well with MTS. 

Conclusion: I thought if MTS came here with same plans of TN,Kerala circles it may fail to hit. But their intro plan is awesome with lifelong local mobile calling @30p/min without any power cards. In last five years, Kolkata saw new operators - Tata, R-Com GSM(Smart), Aircel, Virgin, MTS. And if you analyze the trend - for intro in a metro like kolkata new operators must offer low tariff to other network also to catch new customers to make a good customer base 'coz if you offer free min to own netwrok people will not take it. that's why Tata and virgin fails to knock the door properly, Just remind Reliance India Mobile launch - they offered price of handset converted to free recharge vouchers, but their Smart was a failure during launch due to poor network and no network sharing from other GSM operators like Airtel and Vodafone. Aircel stormed kolkata with Rs.246voucher for unlimited local calling and they made a good base snapping from BSNL, Airtel and Vodafone and then Smart's Relaunching of 35p/min all loc calls for 1st 6months of connection during pan india launch of R-GSM! MTS just followed the rule, yeah remember another thing Kolkata is 1st metro to get MTS !! so they were very serious about it and launched just in 2 months of releasing news of 'Kolkata is getting under radar of Red'. But only CDMA factor oppose them, still I don't find enough respond from GSM users,but let me wait for 1 month 'coz most shops deny to sell MTS as it's CDMA. well I am hoping !dea(GSM) will come as 25p/min local call for lifetime before durgapuja in Kolkata.

All the best,

BSNL Broadband - what we can expect from new Govt.

Well Lok Sabha Election is over, and Maran may be back as Minister. This is Dayanidhi Maran who announced India will get free broadband of 2Mbps around 2012. And during his time we had BSNL upgraded broadband bandwidth 2Mbps from 256kbps and become the most affordable broadband service provider. 

Well I am talking about BSNL broadband plans. At present what people want from BSNL :

Bandwidth upgradation ( uplink and downlink both stream ) :
those who are on 256kbps Unlimited plans,want speed to be increased atleast 512kbps @ same price or speed upto 2mbps. UL users are not asking for 8Mbps connection

but those who are on night UL plans ( 500, 500c,500c+ etc etc) asking fo bandwidth increase for upto 8Mbps, [ FYI BSNL has ADSL technology on which 8Mbps is maximum bandwidth], if not 4Mbps will do good.

upload speed should be increased as per download speed.

Cheaper Plans: Lower tariffs - but i think if bandwidth,free usage n more night hours is introduced , there will not be no reduction of tariff.

More free usage : that time free usage increased 2.5 times. so expecting 1GB->2.5GB,1.5GB-> 4GB,2.5GB->6GB like this.

Night free hours upto 8 hours a day - instead of 2AM - 8AM, it would be 0000-0800hrs.

Well I am listening about more bandwidth and changing night free hours for a long time from BSNL officials, but still not implemented ! hope now it will be soon implemented !

MTS ad 1st time on Kolkata

MTS India is coming to Kolkata which I heard & told many times. But I did not found any advertisement from MTS India. Well they started showing their ads , the 1st one I saw was on The Telegraph dated 18th May and 2nd one i find today 19th in Anandabazar patrika. Ad saying : " Everything will change, Get Ready "

These ads are not telling its MTS India to make people curious, but of course it's MTS launching!! just see their logo:

so it's new brand of fuchka (ফুচকা), :-o  , no it's MTS India. for your info, MTS is CDMA based mobile service provider. Read my early post on MTS. and it is coming with some awesome intro offers. just see MTS plans in Tamilnadu, as per sources Kolkata & WB circle will get same offer.

Tamilnadu >> 1. tariff - Click 2. Special tariff Vouchers - Click 3. Recharge Voucher - click

In short u can get lifelong 150 min free calling everyday to own network @ Rs 499/-  (actually 10,00,000 min free)and get lifetime connection just a mere Rs 49/- while default call rates are 35p to own and 70p to others as local calls, STD @ Rs 1.40/min nation wide SMS @ 50p ,and can opt for all local calls @49p for Rs 25/-- for 30 days and with spendin Rs99/- u can call MTS2MTS free for 30days. there are a no. of Msavers (STVs) for customers' needs !

Well their plans are awesome and too attractive , but only thing will go against it is their CDMA tech - people need a unlocked CDMA handset while most people are on GSM. But do u know why I am so interested in MTS, the reason is on CDMA sector in Kolkata and WB circle, R-Com has a monopoly which was facilitated by Tata's worst network and worst tariffs !! Mobile number portability is coming, so I want to see some fight from MTS, after all in that war winner is alwaz customers .....

If you like to hear MTS singnature tune - download it. It's also kool too !! 

UPDATE on 20.05.2009 

MTS network is active over Kolkata, though they are waiting for official launch, handsets-SIMs-Cutouts are distributed to the mobile shops and resellers. You can call MTS care @ +91 9143155155. 

Excitements for Kolkata Mobile Space in Coming Puja

At March I wrote about new Mobile service providers in kolkata are coming..... 

Well Kolkatans it's great time to enjoy mobile telephony, as Mobile Number Portability is coming around September, 2009 in kolkata. 

And we will see another GSM operator, Idea launching its services before durga puja! as Kolkata GSM market is already condensed by Airtel, Vodafone, BSNL, Aircel, Reliance Smart we can expect some more attractive tariff plans from Aditya Birla's !dea. Get ready to show "!"

and CDMA market of kolkata, dominated by Reliance mainly, will see MTS India. Tata and Virgin are also here. 

Both the operators have already booked space at PS-Srijan Tech Park. Idea Cellular has purchased 50,000 sq ft, Shyam-Sistema has taken 30,000 sq ft on long-term lease. Unitech, which has also got GSM frequencies for West Bengal and Kolkata circles, is yet to set up base.

But I didn't find any MTS ad in kolkata still, but all source are saying it is coming in next couple of weeks. I am excited to watch tariff war also at CDMA sector, as Tata is always loser to R-Com.

But !dea will be here during Sep-Nov. "We are keen on catching the Pujas this year, both in Kolkata and West Bengal circles. True, Vodafone Essar and Airtel have the first-mover advantage with 900 MHz spectrum that is a lot better than the 1800 MHz," an Idea official said. You can expect IDEA's mega launching before puja!  

FYI, US-based Telcordia Technologies is to introduce MNP in Kolkata, and according to their sources - WB will get MNP in April of next year. 

so lower tariffs, new service providers and option to change the service provider

without changing the number - this is the mobile excitement for Kolkata, just wait for our fav Durga Puja. 

JUST AN UPDATE 

A good no. of people is searching for MTS office Addresses : 

Kolkata Office :

Sistema Shyam Teleservices Limited.
PS Srijan Tech Park, DN-52, 
Sector-V, Salt Lake Green, 
Kolkata - 700091
West Bengal
Phone: 033-64610400

Registered Office :
Sistema Shyam TeleServices Limited
B-2-D, Shiv Marg, Bani Park  
Jaipur - 302016 
(Rajasthan)

Corporate Office: HR Manager (for Careers in MTS India)

Sistema Shyam TeleServices Pvt. Ltd.
334, Udyog Vihar, Phase-IV,
Gurgaon - 122001  
Haryana ; Phone:+91 124 4615899
Email : careers@mtsindia.in

Visit MTS INDIA Site - www.mtsindia.in 

aXXo torrents - from Mininova or TPB or btjunkie?

where do u download axxo torrents from?
a. mininova b. btjunkie c. the pirate bay d. any other site

if your answer is 'a', change it to "d" .... read my story.

I used to download and search torrents on mininova or btjunkie and I made nickname and search engine integration of these two on my fav Opera also. but now I feel that for torrents uploaded by axxo you should use Darkside_RG site [ http://94.75.224.58/forums/ ]. You must know that axxo joined mininova later and under his profile on mininova all axxo rips are not listed. on mininova axxo uploaded 356 movies' torrents, though his total uploaded movies are more than 1000!! (Remember ' Mirrors ' was his 1000th torrent. Source: http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/scene-stealer-the-axxo-files-1214699.html )

On mininova or TPB or Btjunkie, axxo accounts don't have all his rips. even he missed recent ones too!! I don't know why axxo, being a global anonymous brand doing this. may be 'coz he want to promote Darkside_RG.

Ray Mobiles from TheMobileStore

Last month it was reported Essar Group’s plans of launching own branded handsets across the country under The Mobile Store label. The telecom retail arm of Essar Group, The Mobile Store (TMS), has finally launched their handset range called ‘Ray’. 4 models of which have been launched in the initial stage. 

Ray models currently being launched: 

Ray M20: MP3 Player, FM Radio, Expandable Memory, 500 Contacts & 200 SMS
Ray M31: Dual SIM, Touch Screen, Camera, MP3 player, FM Radio
Ray T60: Touch Screen, Dual Sim, 2 MP Camera, G Sensor, Bluetooth with A2DP
Ray T65 : Touch Screen, 3 MP Camera, FM Radio with recording, Bluetooth with A2DP

[ The Links above are directed to The Mobile Store's site, where you will have buying options and full details of the handset. ]

As of now, the T65 and M20 models are on shelves and priced at Rs. 6,999 and Rs. 2,199 respectively according to MobileStore prices. The other two models are soon to follow. 

“RAY” will be available pan India at all Telecom Retail Stores. The MobileStore is appointing other sub distributors to leverage the opportunities across various locations in India. Each handset in the range will come with a 12 month warranty and have a unique registered IMEI number. A Pan India after sales support will be provided through The MobileStore outlets as well. 

Commenting on the “RAY” launch, Rajiv Agarwal, CEO and Director of The MobileStore Ltd said, "Launch of “RAY” is a very important milestone in the journey of The MobileStore and we are extremely happy to introduce our range of “RAY” handsets to today’s youth who are always open to new and interesting products. “RAY” handsets will provide the best features to the consumers at never before prices in the respective product segments.”

Nokia dominates 70% of the handset market followed by Sony Ericsson and Samsung. The TMS Ray series will face competition from the above mentioned brands. With the handset market selling over 100 million units TMS is targeting a sale worth Rs. 200 crore in the first year. They planned to sell phones via their shoppes and other over 20,000 stores over nation. 

At the same time TCL Corp also launched their Alcatel brand cellphones.  so Let's see who win the battle for newcomers , as both brand will be sold via TMS !!

bye .... wishing all the best to all,

Virgin Mobile India - My report

Status confirmed: Virgin going to ring GSM arena! 

  well it's old news, i just take extra time to make it my own report and analysis ..

Virgin Mobile, well known all over world for their MVNO policy for providing mobile/telephony services and attractive and innovative offers to end users, launched its services in India on March 2, 2008, a year back. But they added just around 10% customers  w.r.t. Tata's new customers. 

is ViMo failed in India??

After talking to a no. of people I find some comments, follow them and you will understand why Virgin Mobile did not get enough response from youth, though it targets youth sector of customers. 

"I already have 2 SIMs."  
"I have a 10K GSM handset!" 
"If it's GSM I could try it"  
"I don’t want to take 2 handsets with me - it’s awkward!"  
“Oh! In my area Tata network sucks! Why I take Virgin!!"  
'I don’t find a virgin mobile shop in my area'  
'Well if I bought a virgin from Kolkata, how can I recharge in suburban'  
'I have an unlocked CDMA set, but they are not selling only the SIM’ 
'Can I use VM with my Nokia N70?' 
‘I need a service provider offering free talktime in own network’
‘Virgin ads are awesome and kewl !’
'only mobile store selling it, and only with handset ! '
"i visited VM usa/canada sites.and here handsets are just bogus!! "

before analyzing these comments, let's go straight to Virgin Mobile's joint venture with SingTel in Singapure. there ViMo totally kicked out due to Saturated market. Well its India, and market is not saturated still. 

ViMo targets youth. and they started with some entry level CDMA handsets which makes them most unattractive, at the same time when VM ads rock young minds and their 10p incoming credit (which is now 5p/1min) offer just make them super launched. all my friends knew about it! 

Virgin made its campaigning in colleges (i saw them on presidency college also) , but powered with CDMA tech from Tata. they can't make a new customer for just a mere Rs 50 like R-com GSM launch offer. VM requires atleast Rs 1800(price of handset) to make a new customer. To make it worst, TMS (the mobile store) chain was selling VM sim cards along with handsets. FYI Virgin is partner in TMS venture with Essar. that's a bad move. 

but VM has scope! 'coz till MVNO is not accepted in India, if it's soon allowed after election Virgin will be more powerful. so at this moment entering in GSM arena in time could be useful for them. launching calling cards for night/weekend/full day unlimited plans would be useful. even they can offer sms @ 10p/5p as per users' choice , say u can have local SMS 100 and its multiples @ Rs. 10,20, 30 ..etc . and i like they launch handsets which they offer in USA, Canada, Australia . Well they just launched some good models of Samsung. but most of all they need proper marketing - all they did to target metros specially, but they forget youths of suburbans ..

& i got news that Japan's NTT Docomo telecom will be partner in Tata's GSM service ,so we can hope this new operator will be a powerhouse and so will be Virgin Mobile India.

that's done .... wishing all the best !!