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)
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.
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.
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,
18 comments:
informative dude ...well written !!
guess we can anticipate much lesser call rate on the eve of Durga puja less than 25/p lets see
Not much written on network!
Also what you mean by missed call sms on next call?
can i recharge my mts mobile with MSaver 499 and MSaver 99 together.??
so that, i may get the benefit of 10,00,000 minutes mts 2 mts free ..
and also other mobile rates at 30 p/min.
thanx
Does it have roaming option?
Thanks for this very well documented posts.I have been an mts user from 26th May,2009 in Kolkata and like to add on the following 14 points:
(1)You can recharge your mobile with Rs 499 Msaver and Rs 99 Msaver together as I have already done it.After doing this you can get 150 min/day local mts2mts FREE and make calls at any other connection @ 30Ps/min for LIFETIME.
(2) If you and your local friend want to talk infinitely( 150min/day is almost infinite)you can put Msaver 499 in any one of the handset.However I always suggest you to put Msaver 499 in both the handsets, because (i)Rs 499 is a one time investment for whole life (ii)Let X and y are two handsets where X has got the Msaver 499 and Y has not.Now, if Y wants to make a call for X,he has to give a missed-call to X.In reply X ought to call Y.To avoid this inconvenience I suggest you to put Msaver 499 in both the sets.
(3) Two handsets are available in Kolkata-(i)samsung(costs Rs 1200)(ii)zte.(costs Rs 999).Among them I purchased zte,because I am very poor in Hindi and the zte keypad does not have Hindi alphabets.Altogether zte looks smarter than samsung.I don't know the features of the samsung set but the zte is a colour phone with "call recording" and "speaker phone" ability.
(4) Forget all Msavers and different schemes out there and simply spend Rs 1600 (zte set & connection=999,MSaver 99 and Msaver 499).Now get connected for lifetime and enjoy the cheapest experience.
(5) If you don't like the two handsets available then you can buy any UNLOCKED CDMA set (for example Spice z88 dual sim).Here mts sim can be fit with ease.
(6) If you want to run the mts connection in your old CDMA LOCKED (for example TATA) handset then your set can be unlocked through some vendor specific password by the experts. You can do it from Kolkata's Chandni Chak with the expense of near about Rs 500.
(7) If you want to run the mts connection in your old GSM handset then you have to convert your set to CDMA (again..it can be done from Chandni Chak).However unlocking in this case is not required.
(8) warning: Do not put the mts sim in any LOCKED CDMA (for example TATA's Samsung sim career )set . If you do this , your handset may be locked and will not work further in any of the CDMA connections(TATA,Reliance,Vergin,mts).Then you have to go to the Handset's(not connection's hub) service centre. They will restore the set to its initial condition.It will cost Rs 50.For example if you put your mts sim in TATA's samsung and the set get locked the you have to go to samsung's service centre.
(9) warning: If you wish to purchase only the connection some retailers are charging Rs 100 instead of Rs 49. as they
broke the sealed pack containing the handset and take the sim out.It is completely illegal,illogical and unethical. you must not give a single paise excess Rs 49.
(10) I have been informed from customer care(155) that if somehow my handset get lost I can retain the number amd more importantly I can retain the schemes( in my case Msaver 499 and Msaver 99) provided I can explain the detailing of my schemes.
(11)Top ups of Rs 10,20,50,100 and 200 are available. For lifetime connection one has to recharge with minimum of Rs 200 within 6 months.Though your validity is lifetime , when you call 177( balance info), they will say your validity is upto a certain period.You need not to worry about.Once you recharge with Rs 200 that period will be extended from the day of recharging to next 6 months.
(12)I have used Vodafone,TATA,Aircel and BSNL. Among them connectionwise Aircel is the worst, voice breaking and low tower were the regular phenomena.I did not get my vodafone connection inside underground computer lab but TATA and BSNL were OK.Touch wood,till today mts connection is working fine.
(13)Among them(Vodafone,TATA,Aircel and BSNL) schemewise TATA's introductory offer (T2T free for 2 years by RS 350 recharge along with new connection)and BSNL's Kolkata 99 was great.However this offer of mts is the greatest.
(14) There is a clear disadvantage of mts.Like TATA your call timing starts in mts as soon as the ringing starts.It means you may be charged for two calls though you converse for 40 seconds only as your friend receive the call after the phone rang for more than 20 seconds.In the GSM connections like vodafone and BSNL your call timing starts when the receiver receives the call and not when the phone starts ringing.So,in this aspect,Vodafone and BSNL take a clear upperhand over TATA and mts.
Thanks to Mr. Karmakar,
3.both set comes with same features, ZTE looks better than Samsung one!
8. i tried the sim in my old Tata's locked haier set,it didn't get locked down!
9.resellers are not selling the sim individually, i never found only the SIM pack even as a showpiece! all SIMs are included in the handset box. sim comes as free with handset.
10. that's normal thing.
11.good point i didnot add this,
12.Reliance Smart is a bigtime sucker !aircel is better than it, though Smart was launched before Aircel in kolkata.MTS netwrk is great as a new entrant.
14.dude, check it,though handset starts counting time as soon as ringing/connection starts;u will be charged from when ur call is picked up by other side. probably GSM handsets use different technology,as all CDMA operator happens this, dnt get paniced !
I am a proud owner of MTS connection. My experience regarding network is: For incoming Calls:- No probelms.
For outgoing Calls: connecting BSNL, Airtel, etc smoothly except vodafone, after 3-5 attempt there will be a chance to connect vodafone network. MTS is most smoothly connecting with BSNL network.
Now I am planning to change my office corporate connection of vodafone of 16 members to MTS connecting using Msaver499 & Msaver99. It will save Rs. 5000-6000 per month compared to postpaid connection.
I have a query regarding availablity of the Msaver 499, can anyone tell me that upto what extent it will be availabale in the market.
Thak you all for your valuable information about MTS.
I have purchased Samsung set with MTS connection, now after reading your feedback, I am planning to change it to ZTE handset. The call recording facility has made the difference.
Again thanks to all.
Thanks a lot RdB.....
3. I mentioned that zte keypad does not have Hindi scripts.
8. I used the term "may be locked".please put emphasis on the term "may be".However I also like to mention here that my Samsung dual sim carrier(TATA set) got locked immediately when I put the mts sim in it.I unlocked it from Samsung service centre (Esplanade Metro station-underground) with the expense of Rs 50.
9. This is not true. Retailers are selling the sim individually.I purchased total 5 mts connections, among which 3 with zte handsets and two without handsets.Those two sims are running fine in (i)Fly dual sim(CDMA,GSM)and (ii)Spice D88 dual sim(CDMA,GSM).
10. Please put emphasis on the term "more importantly I can retain the schemes".
11. Thank you.
12. I did not use Reliance Smart.
14.You are right for mts. I also checked."mts" is charging whenever your call is picked up from the other side.But this is not happenning in case of "TATA". "TATA" is charging from the very moment ringing starts in other side.
15. I am not getting the zte handsfree but samsung handsfree is available.
Reply to Mr. Karmakar, thanks again to see u here.
3.apart from keypad style, ZTE set looks better, screen size apparantly looks larger than Samsung one! i saw them on MTS's site, and i feel ZTE is better looking!
8. i didnt say u r wrong,i gave an example only. :)
14.i used tata indicom, i did not think so, well jst an eg: if ur call is not received ,ur phone shows 40 sec(just suppose) outcomin calls,and ur balance is deducted.
it never happen. tata also starts deductin balance when call is picked up. try it again dude!
15. i did nt searched for a handfree, but tried to connect via usb, as my camera's cable port is same as zte,well zte didnt recognize it!
hey guys i m using mts connection with my unlocked nokia 2280. network is very gud.
Hi,
If anyone knows the name of the RESELLER who is selling only the SIM card Of MTS kindly let me know.I have a FLY UNLOCKED CDMA Handset,which is lying unused so that I can use the MTS SIM Card along with it.
Any information regarding this will be very much helpful as MTS Customer Care guided me to some shops name but they are not selling any SIM Cards separately.
Thanks again.
fenes
hey fenes u can get mts sim @ jaimata infotech bangur avenue.
Hi Aditya,
Thanks a lot for your information.Will enquire about it on Monday.
Bye,
fenes
I have a pantech PA-711(TATA) set purchaed in 2005. Can I use it in MTS sim card. Is this phone Unlocked
if ur pantech PA-711 suport uim (sim) card then get ur fon unlocked and use with mts sim.
need mts service center add.
my mob. not working last few month plz. help me.
Dharmendra
kolkata(saltlake).
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