MTNL Extends SMS Based Recharge Facility for Some More Plans & STVs

India’s first 3G Mobile and Data Service provider Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) today launched SMS based recharge / plan activation facility for some more plans and special tariff vouchers (STVs) for its prepaid 2G and 3G customers in Mumbai circle.

Now the SMS based activation/recharge facility is available for Roaming Plan Vouchers like All In One Paisa Plan-55, All for One Plan-46, Per Second Plan Vouchers-45 and 85, Night Plan-25, Life Time Validity Voucher-47, Unlimited Video Call STV-61 and SMS Voucher-97.

Earlier this facility was available for STD Pack-34, Maharashtra & Goa Local Plan-39, TRUMP Zayada Bolo Plan-33, SMS Pack-30,3G Data Pack-99 & 22 and 2G GPRS Packs.

MTNL prepaid customers in Mumbai can activate any of prepaid plan listed below without going retailer or MTNL outlets,  just by sending SMS ‘RCH Denomination of Pack’ to 444. For example to activate Per Second Plan for 5 Years, prepaid customer needs to send sms RCH85 to 444. SMS charges will be Rs. 2 per SMS.

SMS Based Activation Facility for MTNL Prepaid 2G and 3G Plans and STVs in Mumbai.
Plan Vouchers and STVs	SMS Based Activation Code
All In 1 Paisa Plan-55 (Home and Roam)	Send SMS RCH55 to 444
All for One Plan-46 (Home and Roam)	Send SMS RCH46 to 444
Pay Per second Plan-45 (One Year)	Send SMS RCH45 to 444
Pay Per second Plan-85 (5 Years)	Send SMS RCH85 to 444
Bonus Plan-48 (all calls 48p/Min)	Send SMS RCH48 to 444
Night Pack-25	Send SMS RCH25 to 444
Life Time Validity Voucher-47	Send SMS RCH47 to 444
SMS Pack-97	Send SMS RCH97 to 444
For more details dial 1503 / 9869012345 (toll free from MTNL)

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Blue Android Enters India As Rcom Partners Google – Offers 1 GB Free 3G Data Usage on Android Smartphones

Now all Google approved 3G Android devices users will get 1GB free data offer for all its new & existing customers who upgrade their headsets to any new Android smartphones phones & activate their handset on the Reliance 3G network. The offer is applicable only on a device that is being added to the Reliance Communications (RCOM) network for the first time.

This Offer is not applicable on non-Android devices and its valid only in Reliance 3G circles for 30 days. One can apply for this offer only during the period of 15th April, 2012 to 15th June, 2012. Offer is valid on both Prepaid & Postpaid connections.

Once requested for activation the Offer will be activated within 72 hours of customer making a voice call using the device. Offer applicable only once on each device. Post consumption of 1GB free data, customer needs to activate a 3G data plan or will be charged at 10p / 10 kb (pay as you go plan).

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Now Get Recharged for your Ringtone – Courtesy RingAd Mobile app

Yes, what you read is right “Now get paid in the form of Recharges for what you listen as your Ringtone on your Android. I’m talking about an innovative Android App called “RingAd – Free Recharge “ exclusively for India and also proud to say that this app is MADE IN INDIA by Shree Kant and team.

All you need is head over to Google play store, search for RingAd app, download, install and create an account to store your points. The rest of the work will be taken care by the App itself. This App is very easy to understand as the UI is very simple.

It runs in the background, downloads add tones to your Device Memory and plays the selected ad tones every time you receive a call so that a point gets added to your account for every unique ad tune played which can be later converted into a recharge after accumulating certain points. You also have got an option to choose which ad tone to be played or delete selected ad tone that you don’t want to play as a ringtone.

Trust me, this app doesn’t consume a lot of resources nor drain away your battery by running in background. Interestingly the data required by this app to download the ad tones is also less. So, no need to worry about both data as well as resources and by the way the ad tones don’t sound too much like ads that we listen elsewhere, they are a bit interestingly musical too. In fact I loved the RingAd app Ad tone and hope you too.

Live Ringtones for the first time in world as there are also dedicated pages in this app for your profile so that you get customized ad tones depending on your age, city and you have also got options to analyze your call logs or connect your social accounts.

What i felt can be improved:

After the installation your default system ringtones will temporarily disappear, you will not have access to those tunes to set them manually when you feel like and you will be forced to select from those ad tones in the list to set as one of your tunes which I felt somewhat embarrassing in certain situations. There should be an option to activate and deactivate the service in the background or make the default ringtones visible in settings so that in certain situations without uninstalling the app we can set a ringtone of our choice and manually trigger the app back to its working state later.

Finally, this is an interesting as well as an innovative app that definitely needs a try on your Android.Please don’t forget to share your experiences here once you get some recharge amount!

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TelecomMap is now out of Beta!

It was in September 2011 that we launched TelecomMap.com, a site to help you to rate your 3G operator on a map. Since then we have been receiving good number of reports and suggestions from you. After few days of testing new things, we decided to come out of beta stage.

Now TelecomMap bears a new refreshing look and submitting reports has become more easier. Taking a cue from your suggestions, we have enabled submission of EVDO network reports. Once 4G is launched feel free to add reports to the 4G section too.

So are you interested to know how to report your 3G, EVDO and Wi-Fi experiences at TelecomMap? Here are the ways to do so -

1.Use the Submit a Report option available at TelecomMap.

2.Tweet with hashtag telecommap. Here are two examples -
3G in Sadguru Colony, Wakad Road, Pune. NW: TATA Docomo Quality: 4 #telecommap
BSNL EVDO in Begumpet, Hyderabad. Quality: 5 #telecommap

3.Email a report to report [ @ ] telecommap.com.

While submitting reports take care to provide locality details in your report. If you just write Reliance 3G is present in Mumbai, it proves to be less valuable to a person looking for 3G services in a particular area in Mumbai. In addition to this there is a possibility of your report drawing an operator’s attention who may in turn consider improving the service by installing an additional tower! We also encourage you to submit Speedtest result images so that your claims can be verified by other users.

How TelecomMap can make a difference?

1.Once a reader submits a report, it will go live after a while. This is because reports will be moderated to avoid spam.

2.A prospective 3G/EVDO customer can check out TelecomMap to know what are the services available in his/her area and take wise decision

3.The Get Alerts feature can alert you when a new service is available in your area[1].

Coming soon on TelecomMap

Soon we will be introducing the facility to submit reports by SMS and by apps for Android and iOS.

We would like to thank all our readers who took time to submit informational reports at TelecomMap and also the entire Telecomtalk team who strived hard to bring Telecommap to this stage today. Do let us know your opinions about the new TelecomMap via comments. To receive short timely updates follow TelecomMap on twitter.

[1] Please note that this can happen only if someone submits a report about the service.

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Airtel 4G-LTE Plan Details and Devices

As we shared earlier about Airtel’s 4G-LTE launch in Kolkata, it come true as today Airtel will showcase its 4G services in Kolkata. The inauguration of Airtel 4G will be celebrated with a special event organized at ITC Sonar, Kolkata. Union telecom minister Kapil Sibbal will be the chief guest of the event.

Airtel will offer 4G-LTE services over a wide range of devices including airtel 4G-LTE USB modem (Huawei E392) and airtel 4G LTE Indoor Wireless Gateway (Huawei B593). Airtel officials at the launch event clarified that it requires a 4G enabled 128kB USIM (priced at Rs. 49) to use on the dongle. The airtel 4G LTE data card and WiFi CPE will be network locked. The price of the dongle and WiFi CPE are Rs. 7999 and Rs. 7750 respectively.

With Airtel 4G-LTE you can use mobile internet with bandwidth up to 40Mbps! Don’t surf, just fly! 

Airtel 4G-LTE is based upon LTE-TDD (Time Division Duplex Long Term Evolution) using 20MHz of 2300MHz spectrum band which Airtel won in BWA auction held on 2010. Airtel’s 4G-LTE network in Kolkata will be managed by ZTE Corp. In fact ZTE completed the 4G set up in a record time. ZTE supplied eNodeB and TD-LTE RAN for Airtel’s 4G-LTE roll out.

Airtel 4G LTE can be used at home or your office for Wireless internet access, access rich content and multimedia applications eg: e-learning, HD content-movies etc, multiple downloads of heavy files, high definition multimedia content at the same time will be possible, Higher uplink and downlink speeds, Seamless online streaming – without buffering, High definition online gaming, access business applications that require higher speeds and last mile connectivity.

Airtel also announces the tariff plans for 4G-LTE, available for both prepaid and postpaid users.

Airtel 4G-LTE Plan Details:

Plan Name	Monthly Rentals/RCV	Usage	Speed post FUP
Breakfree	Rs. 999	6 GB	128 kbps
Breakfree Max	Rs. 1399	9 GB	128 kbps
BreakfreeUltra	Rs. 1999	18 GB	128 kbps

Introductory offer for postpaid users: 

Breakfree 999 users will get Rs. 167/bill discount on first 6 bills.

Breakfree 1399 users will get Rs. 466/bill discount on first 6 bills.

Breakfree  1999 users will get Rs. 666/bill discount on first 6 bills.

As we come to know SmartByte will be available for postpaid customers of Airtel 4G, that means you can add extra data on your package anytime to continue your 4G experience. Additional charge for smartbyte will be added on your bill. Also your 4G number can be added to your Airtel mobile or landline/broadband postpaid bill – One bill for 4G, mobile, landline & broadband.

Airtel 4G Coverage Map in Kolkata

From the coverage details, I can tell you that at this stage Airtel covers major areas of Kolkata. But certainly sub-urband areas were not expected to be covered up at this stage, and they are not covered. South Kolkata has majority coverage. In the launch event Mr. K Srinivas, president, consumer business, Bharti Airtel told that right now coverage of 4G is available in 20 geographical clusters which comprises of 40% of total data market in Kolkata.

Fine prints regarding Airtel’s 4G plans:

1. In order to enjoy 4G LTE services, you will need a 4G enabled USIM card.

2. You will require a 4G enabled device & airtel 4G network to enjoy airtel 4G services

3. All packs will work on both on USB Modem and 4G enabled indoor wi- fi device.

4. Service is available only in Kolkata – soon to be rolled out in Bangalore (within this month),Pune and Chandigarh next.

5. You cannot recharge a data pack with another data pack till previous balance is above 500MB.

6. On recharge with new data pack (when balance less than 500MB)/change in existing pack, earlier data balance available in your account will be forfeited.

With Airtel 4G-LTE you can have wide range of Value Added Services like Airtel Movies, Airtel games, Airtel Broadband TV, Live Devotion and many more. Airtel already launched a new website airtel.indiagames.com/airtel/4g/ to play live multiplayer games with anyone in the world in real time, with the lowest latency and therefore, the best reaction time.

For more details call Airtel representative on toll free number 1800 103 0405 or drop a line to airtel at airtel.in/airtelpresence .

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Sony Xperia S Smartphone Now in India Priced at Rs. 32549

Sony Mobile Communications today introduced the Xperia NXT series including the Xperia S, Xperia P and Xperia U as well as the Xperia Sola to the Indian market.The Sony Xperia S is priced at Rs. 32549.

Xperia smartphones combine stand-out design and superior entertainment technology with the powerful performance. The Xperia NXT series also provides access to Sony Entertainment Network, a portal for consumers to access premium entertainment such as music, movies, TV shows and more, all from one convenient account.

Sony Xperia Sola

Smartphone with a sense of magic!

·Dimensions /weight: Size: 116 x 59 x 9.9 mm

·Display: 3.7” Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA® Engine, 854 x 480 pixels, 16,000,000 colour TFT, Scratch-resistant glass Camera: 5 megapixel, auto focus, 720p HD video recording, front-facing VGA camera, 2D and 3D Sweep Panorama™, LED flash

·Multimedia: 3D Album, Accelerated Adobe Flash Video, Media browser, Motion gaming, Radio (FM radio with RDS), Music Unlimited and Video Unlimited, Video streaming, YouTube™

·Platform /performance: Google Android™ 2.3 (Gingerbread), upgradeable to Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)

·Memory: 8 GB internal storage (up to 5 GB user-accessible memory), microSD™ memory card slot (supporting up to 32GB)

·Connectivity : 3.5 mm audio jack (CTIA), aGPS, Bluetooth™ wireless technology, DLNA Certified®, Micro USB support, Media Go™, Media Transfer Protocol support, Modem, Native USB tethering, NFC, PC Companion, Synchronisation via Microsoft® Exchange ActiveSync®, USB High speed 2.0 support, USB Host

·Colour Available: Black, White, Red

Sony Xperia S

12.1 megapixel camera with auto focus

4.3 inch scratch-resistant TFT touchscreen

1.5 GHz Qualcomm Dual Core processor

16x digital zoom, LED flash

Google Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) (Upgrade to Android 4, Ice Cream Sandwich, planned in Quarter 2 2012)

16 million colours, 1280 x 720 pixels

Screen size 128.0 x 64.0 x 10.6 mm , 5.0 x 2.5 x 0.4 inches

Colour’s available in India : White, Black

Sony Xperia P

·Dimensions /weight: 122 x 59.5 x 10.5 mm / 120 g

·Display: 4.0” Reality Display with Sony’s WhiteMagic™ technology, Mobile BRAVIA® Engine, 960 x 540 pixels (qHD), 16 million colours, scratch-resistant mineral glass

·Camera: 8 megapixel, auto focus, full 1080p HD video recording, Exmor R™ for mobile. Image sensor, front camera (VGA), 2D and 3D Sweep Panorama, LED flash

·Multimedia: Video Unlimited, Music Unlimited, clear audio, xLoud™, 3D surround, Sound, Music player, Video player, Photo Gallery, FM radio, TrackID™

·Platform /performance: Google Android™ 2.3 (Gingerbread), upgradeable to Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich), dual core 1 GHz processor, fast charging

·Memory: 16 GB (up to 13 GB user-accessible memory)

·Connectivity: 3.5 mm audio jack (CTIA), aGPS, Bluetooth™, HDMI, DLNA Certified®, NFC, Wi-Fi®, USB Host

·Colour Available: Black, Silver & Red

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