Review: Reliance Net Connect USB modem
| I had recently taken an Reliance USB data modem as a secondary connection to connect to the net wirelessly when I am traveling and below are my views regarding the same. |  |
I had purchase the Huawei EC325 USB data modem model for Rs 2,850 they have an current offer in which the first 2 months of usage is free and the dealer said that form the third month the billing will start with a default plan on Rs 650/month for I GB of data, and I could choose any other data plan that I wish, the reason I choose the USB modem model over the PC PCMCIA is that I can connect this USB modem even to my standard desktop if needed.
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The modem is based on the CDMAx1 technology that Reliance phones also use, Reliance names this data service as Reliance Netconnect and the max theoretical speeds that this modem is capable of is 153kbps, but expect a peak speed of around 110 – 115 kbps (about 14 -15 KB/sec) and on an average the speed hovers around 45 – 65 kbps in terms of the experience it is like on a good dialup connection, so forget about streaming videos or VOIP calls, but general browsing and checking emails is pretty functionally. I was able to browse sites comfortably even in a moving car, do note that the speed depends a lot on the network signal, if the signal (max of 5 which you can know via the connection software) is below 3 bars then the browsing experience is pathetic also at certain times of the day during peak hours the speed is slow due to network congestion, the other good thing about Reliance Netconnect is that there are no roaming charges for connecting to the net within the country, so you get charged the same amount irrespective of the city you access the net.
Why did I choose Reliance Netconnect?
You must be thinking why I chose to select this old CDMAx1 technology that support a max speed of around 115kpbs when there are technologies like EVDO based on the newer CDMA that support wireless speeds upto 2.4 Mbps and 3G based on GSM are just around the corner.
Installation
I installed the USB modem on my HCL Mileap UMPC running Vista Home edition and it installed without any issues, the software used to connect is pretty stable and has good functionality it works equally well on Windows XP, This USB modem also supports making voice calls / SMS apart from data connectivity which can be done via software, as this device does not have any external power source it draws the power it needs from the USB port of the laptop / desktop, In my testing I found that my UMPC battery gave about 20% less backup time while I was connected to the net via this USB modem.
The dealer also said it would also work with Linux / Mac, do note that reliance provides a couple of models and some old ones do not support Vista.
I will be traveling a lot in the next couple of weeks to various towns and cities and will update this story with my experience, as of now with this USB data card and my Mileap UMPC I finally have a true mobile computing experience with wireless internet connected across the country!
I bought a reliance net connect once and my mother lost her sleep for 2 months. Every other day they will call my mother and say ” We will put you son in Jail if you dont pay whatever bill we send.” All their promises before you subscribe are mere cheatings.
They take custome voice form promising to change the plan and forget about it the moment you leave their office.
The executives are trained in how to cheat customers. Their Service Assuarance cell knows only one thing “Escalate Issues”.
Even though, they admit their mistake, they will not clear it.
They dont care about Common Sense, Laws or any guidelines.
whatever they do, you will have to pay the bills whether write or wrong.
so beware,buy reliance phone only if no other option exist
Reliance is the worst company in terms of their customer response.. They are like living hell.. They sell you this offer with two months free and unlimited download.. But they actually have a download limit of like 1.5 GBs .. When you ask them about it… They actually don’t have clue about it.. Even the higher executives at their customer care are great dumbos.. Their CRM system is tricky as they are.. It counts every byte you transfer with equivalents of money and gradually stops the service when you reach your credit limit. How does credit limit fit in with unlimited download? Nobody at my local Reliance Customer Care had an answer for it and I was the sufferer… Product offered as unlimited has hidden limits to it…
When I tried sending them a feedback about their system as in how it is wrong they just replied me to pay some money to increase my credit limit.. Wat da fish??…
Absolute crap… Choice is yours..
Hey Ranjit, did u install the software supplied with the modem by Reliance to setup the modem? For me, the software is not working on Vista. If possible, can you please give me the version of the software?
Hi uttaran,
I got the software installed by the reliance netcenter guy on my laptop, I knew that a couple of there old models were not compatible with vista hence I wanted to make sure it works I went with my laptop and got it installed and only after it worked I purchase it.
I can upload the software for you, but make sure its the same model mine is Huawei EC325 USB model as shown in the picture above, if you want the software for the same I can upload it.
HI All,
BSNL provides the same card for Rs. 1280 and RS. 250 minimum cost for unlimited browsing. The card price can be even paid in installments of Rs. 150 a month. Which makes the monthly bill to hardly Rs. 450 (Including Taxes)
DEAR Ranjit,
i bought a Reliance Netconnect MG880 USB Modem. it is simply superb with XP but not at all fine with Vista Ultimate edition. it is getting connected but with no time it is getting disconnected, though am in full range(5 bars). can u help me in any way?
Hi All there.
Can anyone tell which data card is best in terms of connectivity, surfing and price (monthly).
I need some wireless connection to connect to my pc, i work from my home in delhi and my uses are about 12 hrs a day, any help plzzz
As i do agree customes is dumb if you face the problem.
tell em something if i buy reliance usb and later wanna move away from reliance and go to say tata what do i do of the usb ? Can i use it with the other ISP or is it a waste of 3k?
kabira if you buy a datacard from one provider it cannot be used with another provider and your datacard investment will go waste.
thanx Ranjit for your reply.
Now GPRs on an edge/gprs enabled phone connected to a laptop is a better bet than the reliance netconnect?
I mean GPRs can be activated while u travel and then deactived unline reliance which is gonna bill u even if u dont travel and use ur normal broadband at home/office.
One option could be to get a pre paid plan while ur not travelling?
ur thoughts wud be very helpful cause i am in a dilemma
Kabira i too have a smart phone with gprs EDGE but I found that these edge connections only work good in big cities and metros, but on the other hand this reliance datacard which is basically based on CDMA technology has served me even in small towns where the gprs connection was not even present.
So its your choice if you just travel in and around big metros you can do fine with edge but otherwise the datacard with CDMA technology is a better choice.
Hi Ranjit
I am back with another set of queries. I hope you dont mind.
1: When i was plugging an USB device into my usb , the windows popped a msg saying this device can perform faster if plugged into a usb 2.0 port. It gave the same msg for all the usb ports. Under device manager i see usb ports but i donno if they are usb 1.1 or usb 2.0
Now my question is if i buy reliance usb net connect is it likley to affect the speeds (conisdering i have usb 1.1) cause there is a great diff in speeds of usb 1.1 and usb 2.0
Would then it be a better idea to go for Data Card PCMCI?
i think my laptop has a slot for that as well.
Is there a diff in speeds between that PCMCI card and USB net connect?
I am using HP pavilion ze series btw
I donno which on should i go for.
Pls let me know ur thoughts. Would really appreciate ur help.
Regards
i have reliance usb modem mg880..
though the all 5 bars can be seen in the connecting software,
but the surfing speed is very slow.
During night hours it becomes pathetic.
do you feel that it is normal or should i contact to customer care ,if thet can help me out with this
Dear Neha,
This USB netconnect modem provides a max speed for around 130kbps but on average the speeds hover around 50-80kbps so if you compare it will broadband connections its pretty slow.
I suggest if you need more speeds you should move to a broadband connection as these mobile USB connections are pretty slow slightly faster than a dial-up connection.
Thank alot guys…..!! I was thinking to buy this USB but after reading all Ur queries> I changed my mind not to buy these….not only reliance netconnect but also Tata USB also does the same, please b carefull with these cheaters…..!!!!
Hi Ranjit,
I just got a reliance connect ( CDMA Data modem MG880). I have a macbook and reliance doesnt seem to have the installation software for mac. They did mention that mac users have been able to use it by downloading some software from the web (?!)Are you aware of any ? appreciate if you could provide a link from where i could download.
Thanks
Hello AB I do not have knowledge about the MG880 card regarding it working with a MAC, the easiest thing would be to go to any reliance webworld outlet and check with them.
It would be great if any of our visitor who know about the same would share any info regarding the same.
Hello friends, first i would like to thanks u guies for your valuable opinions, right now i am using the idea GPRS on my mobile k550i Sony from which the website and email surfing is good but i dont able to work on my applications and database connections as i do it from my office. Actually i am planing to shift to Relince net connection but me too face the bad response from the local distributers, they are not technical and unware of uploading bits and downloding bits only they say this as the surfing and downloading it means for them is dounloading pictures and ringtons seperatly actually this is the same observation in the Idea, Airtel or any other services and more worst response from BSNL actually they dont need customer i feel. But regarding the technical explaination and Cutomer support Idea which i am using as a postpaid subscriber last 5 yrs is quite good after the Aditya Birla has take over.
Hey just got a reliance usb modem.works fine in chennai.u pay 3k and expect 10k service that the problem with all of us.you get what you pay for did you guys check what people pay in the US and UK! may be speeds are good but they pay our one month salary for these services!! so dont kick reliance butt if u made a judgemental error and expect too much for too little!! sorry guys thats the truth about all of us!!!
airtel gprs is very very good..cheaper than realiance..unlimilted..only 364 rs
HELLO ALL, RELIANCE NETCONNECT IS VERY POOR IN PERFORMANCE…NOT ONLY IN SPEED BUT CUSTOMER CARE TOO… SPEED DOES NOT GO TO 2-3 KBps MOST OF THE TIMES…IF LEFT IDLE FOR 5 MINUTES,IT HANGS…POST PAID CONNECTION GIVES YOU A BILL THAT DOES NOT BELONGS TO YOUR USAGE OF DATA…
how do we connect huawei ec325 to an desktop .do we need any additional hardware for it to connect to net?
Ravi ec325 is a usb based data card so you plug it in a usb slot again you need to install the required drivers and the software to make it work.
[...] if the EVDO service is not present the modem will it will fall back and connect to the old slower CDMA 1x [...]
i am doing job in m/s nagarjuna construction co ltd as an officer accounts at jodhpur and want to take internate connection for personal use from reliance as a usb modem. please suggest the suitable plain for me. so that i can get the connection.
That was a great post…I love this site.. Thanks
price about USB modem-unlimited broadband postpaid
Arjit
Please go to this page http://www.rcom.co.in/Communications/rcom/RNetconnect/ecare_tariff.html to see all the pricing for reliance netconnet and netconnect +
I would highly suggest you to go for Netconnect + if it’s serviced in your city as it has much better speeds than Netconnect, I doesn’t have a unlimited plan a max of 10 GB /month, you can read my read about the same http://www.tech2buzz.com/internet/review-reliance-netconnect-broadband
Hi all,
Its anupama i have taken reliance broadband+ before 2 months.and i m having many problems with this connection in the 1st month they charged me approx.2000rs.bill and i dont understand in every 15 days how could they send me bill.I have just paid my bill and now again the billing of 900 rs.And i dont do so much surfing and never downloading.
This is Sumati Gharat going to buy USB model, but I am confused to choose right. Anybody suggest me which UBS model or any device use for Net Connection at home which in village near Panvel and I am unable to get Broadband connection there………
Thank you,
Sumati Gharat
(9892960735)
choice depends on the type of usage
if it is primarily to surf the web and few downloads the netconnect RELIANCE OR TATA PHOTON IS GUD
NONE OF THEM PROVIDE GUD SPEED FOR LENGTHY DOWNLOADS
hey friends….dont buy reliance 1xcdma datacard.its totally a bullshit..when u use it ,oh sorry u try to use it. it goes dormant..IN punjabi bilkul hi fuddoooooooooooooooo….
Hi Ranjit,
I have purchased a reliance netconnect. Its speed is very pathetic. How i can increase the downloading speed in it.
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