Previous Relevant article: EDGE / GPRS / EVDO
My previous post on this issue was written in 9th August 2007. Since then there has been some changes in the service type and tariff of the Edge / GPRS / 1xRTT (Citycell Zoom) services by the operators. Also some new competitors have emerged in the market. But those are not Mobile phone Operators, They are Fixed phone Operators, although it doesn’t require any cable connection and these phone service is almost like mobile phones.
eg, Dhaka Phone, National Phone, Ranks Telecom etc.
They work using same technology as mobile phones ( 1xRTT in most of the cases) but the difference is that they can’t support network mobility. I know the term is not clear enough. Let me clarify what I wanted to mean by network mobility. Like mobile phones You can talk using a wireless set (rather bigger set like old bttb land phones) with these operators, but you can not move from one BTS (nearest base station) to another BTS while talking. In cases of mobile phone, when you move from one place to another, you connection automatically connects to the nearest BTS without interrupting your call. But this is not possible in the cases of Dhaka phone , National Phone or other operators like these.
One of the benefit of these operators is that the handset they provide to the customers have a built in modem in most of the cases using which the customers can also connect to the internet as well as talking. And these operators are using sophisticated technology like CDMA-1xRTT in most of the cases. This is the technology used by Citycell. Therefore they can also provide high speed internet in Bangladeshi context (153 Kbps). There offers are also interesting and competitive enough.
Official website of Dhaka Phone: http://www.dhakaphone.com
Official website of Ranks Telecom: http://www.rankstel.com
Official website of National Phone: http://www.nationalphone.net
However the mobile phone operators are not sitting and watching others crossing them!! Grameen phone was the pioneer in introducing Edge service. Now they have increased there edge network vastly throughout the country and still holding the number 1 position in providing such services. I still use the unlimited package and the speed is very good (26-27 Kilo Bytes per second in most of the time). GP unlimited internet costs 1000 taka per month (1150 including VAT). Grameen phone introduced a new package titled “P3” for its users. According to this package the subscriber of this package will be able to use unlimited internet from 12 am (night) to 7 Am spending 300 Taka (+VAT) only. The package was available for both prepaid and postpaid, eventually which is only available for the post paid users at the moment. GP has also offered the famous “P2” unlimited usage per month for the prepaid users with the same tariff as the postpaid. http://www.grameenphone.com/index.php?id=134
Citycell was not far behind and Citycell’s zoom really attracted people because of its vast publicity and better service as well. But the Data transfer limit is still the disadvantage for anyone who is using citycell zoom although they provide a good data rate. A recent introduction of the Zoom service through prepaid and postpaid has got the attention of the people although I couldn’t be that impressed with the offer. It is some thing like how we used dial up internet. The cost is something like 80 paisa/minute during the peak, 60 p/min during the off peak and 25p/min during the super off peak. To me, the per minute price is very high compared to other facilities of the internet. http://www.citycell.com
Warid is claiming that they have introduced EDGE service throughout the Dhaka city along with some other cities. But the speed is very poor ( I have checked it). Besides there claim is not true as I found EDGE network of WARID only covers only Gulshan, Banani and parts of Uttara although the speed is nothing better than normal GPRS speed ( never more than 5-6 KB). However, Warid has introduced unlimited internet for a monthly payment of 1000 taka (1150 including VAT) for its postpaid customers. Prepaid customer still don’t have anyother option rather than 2p/1KB that is 20 taka per mega byte data transfer. http://www.waridtel.com.bd/portal/page?_pageid=133,249890&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL
Aktel is also testing its Edge network and many people saw Edge network through their mobile phone (Some mobile set can differentiate between EDGE (E) and GPRS (G) netrwork). And some of them said they got good speed using Aktel’s internet service. If Aktel can provide EDGE it will be a very good tariff for mobile phone unlimited internet users because Aktel only charges 750 taka (without VAT) per month for unlimited usage. http://www.aktel.com/?module=32
Banglalink is still far behind in this race offering unlimited internet for the enterprise solution users (for 600 Taka) and 2p/KB for prepaid users. What positioned them behind is that they haven’t started EDGE network yet not even in a single area. http://www.banglalinkgsm.com/html1/gprs.php
I almost forgot about Teletalk, the only nation owned mobile phone operator. For quite a long time teletalk is not in the frame. I don’t know how is it doing but I don’t think they are at any sort of good condition. They are still carrying the tarrif for their Customers. Ofcourse Teletalk is the first operator to introduce unlimited internet facility for any prepaid users. Their tariff is still same as before which they started with (800 taka + VAT). http://www.teletalk.com.bd/services/gprs.html
Dhaka Phone has a flat rate offer of 30 paisa per minute. I have used the internet and the speed was pretty good (around 12-16 kilobytes per second).
National Phone provides unlimited internet usage for 1200 taka per month. They provide quite good data transfer rate (12-16 kilo bytes per second). They have some other time band packages too as well as 25 paisa per minute flat rate.
Ranks Telecom offers various packages for both its post paid and prepaid users.
| Package 1 (Prepaid Only) | ||
| Search | 10am – 5pm | Tk. 0.75/ min |
| 5pm -10pm | Tk. 0.50/ min | |
| 10pm – 10am | Tk. 0.25/ min | |
| Window | No Use No Pay | Tk. 1/ MB |
| Package 2 (Post Paid Only) | ||||
| Pointer(Super) | 3 GB | Unlimited | Tk 1/ MB | 1000 /- |
| Pointer | 1 GB | Unlimited | Tk. 1/ MB | 800/- |
| Messenger | 500 MB | Unlimited | Tk. 1/ MB | 350/- |
| Download | Unlimited | 10 pm-8 am | Tk. 1/ MB | 400/- |
| Window | Unlimited | N/A | N/A | Tk. 1/ MB |
3G and WiMaX technology will soon emerge in Bangladesh, and therefore we can predict a boost in the data service by the telecom operators. Let’s wait for the golden days………..
Hasibul Islam
The article is also available at- http://community.nsuers.com/showthread.php?t=3346
National Phone unlimited Internet usage for 800 taka per month. They provide quite good data transfer rate (16-20 kilo bytes per second)
the biggest problem with national phone is that it dont provide RIM like citycell,dhaka phone and rankstel.you have to buy the phone,price 2500 taka
thanks to hasibul islam for all those useful informations,thanks a lot
is it possible that Rankstel RIM will work with any CDMA mobile set?
And Rankstel sell Kotha postpaid RIM without handset?
Usually Rankstel RIM should work with CDMA handsets. Since citycell is the only CDMA mobile operator and they are the only importer of CDMA Mobile sets (Some CDMA sets are available in the Market), they will definitely not like their set to be used by other fixed phone operators. Moreover, these fixed phone operators imports FWT sets which doesn’t support RIM cards (Although there is a provision for the RIM card in the FWT set). All their sets are programed to work for their network only. Therefore it is very usual that Citycell will not like their sets to be used by other operators where it is believed that Citycell provides incentives in purchasing their handsets.
I have tried Dhakaphone RIM with citycell’s nokia 2280 and 2112 CDMA sets. It works fine. But i heard that, citycell’s current sets are locked for citycell RIM only. Still some CDMA handset (including zoom enabled citycell sets) might work perfectly with Dhakaphone/Rankstel/NationalPhone RIM cards.
National phone`s tarif is not suitable but dhaka phone is beter if you compare.
i have tried with rankstel RIUM in the CITY CELL ZOOM Modem, it does not work.
I’m using National Phone for about 7-8 months. I got quite good speed (16 KBps) at the first 2 months. then it started to go down, and now I only get 4-5 KBps, which even goes down sometimes. Itz really annoying. But jus seen some ppl still saying dey r getting 16 KBps frm NP.. confusing :s
I don know..may b subscribers in my area increased dramatically dats y im getting dis low speed.. im in Mirpur 2 anyway..
are ato kota ami gp aktel warid sob line use korci aktao subidar na gp ak2 valo motamoti..akta modemr dam 4000 tk dan per month 1250 tk dite hobe ato taka koroch kore matro 16 to 20 pawa ki kub lab jonok..i dont tink so…arcaye broadband ami use kori mohammadpur adaour a 1200tk mase 23KB pai…maje maje 11kb hoi..bt itz good n voice quality jos…so ato fappor baji ma kore broadband nie deken…ar sonen ami networ engineer so i know dat jeta amder broadband service dite parbe seta kono gprs edage parbena..n amder deshe sottikare kono edage service nai…sobi gprs….so no fappor baji mamura
rankstal it& a good………
I Used Citycell Zoom 500 MB Internet usage for 600 taka per month. They provide quite good data transfer rate 10-18 Kilo bytes per second.
pl any one can tell me,which internet service is the best.dhaka phone/national phone/citycell zoom/aktel/GP/warid.
I think GP is best at this moment. But nothing in BD is stable, specially ISPs and other providers like GP. GP’s performance can vary depending upon your location. You can try GP’s performance by even a prepaid sim and GP’s P4 package(probably 60 taka+ VAT per day). I used Banglalink EDGE and their service is pretty good compared to their charge (650 taka + vat). Make sure you use an EDGE enabled set or EDGE modem.
I use gp in the mirpur section 12 area.Since there aren’t that much users in here of tis service,I always get 25-35 Kilo Bytes.My bit torrent download speeds aren’t good but I get about 11 KBps.Always use Download Accelarator from speedbit.com.It utilizes the complete bandwidth your system has and thus helps to boost your speed.One more thing,Gp uses proxy servers to connect you through their network.It is’nt a gateway based service.Thats why you can never have the same ip address.And as proxys are always firewalled,forwarding a port for p2p clients aren’t possible.If the service was gateway based, then i guess it could be possible.
hey
man whats about peoplestel im using this , i think its pretty good rather than the other CDMA there have unlimited package
can any one tell me how can i download torrent file using nationalphone internet?
i use bittorrent software.. but is their router dont permit torrent download?
vai ami gp warid blink aktel sob e use korsi.but aktel er moto eto pu**imara connection jiboneo dekhi nai.aktel speed pai 80 byte/s .ami dhakar baire asi.
hi, do you know thw difference between bits and Bytes? i think you dont. becaus you have said that GP internet gives 26-27 Kilo Bytes?? i also use GP. it gives 26-48 Kilo Bites that means 3.25 to 6 Kilo Byets.
Please before give some information try to be sure yourself
otherwise you will provide wrong informtion to others.
hi, do you know the difference between bits and Bytes? i think you dont. becaus you have said that GP internet gives 26-27 Kilo Bytes?? i also use GP. it gives 26-48 Kilo Bites that means 3.25 to 6 Kilo Byets.
Please before give some information try to be sure yourself first.
otherwise you will provide wrong informtion to others.
Dear Mr. Salim,
I think I am well aware of what bits and bytes are. I started using Internet so long that even you might not know what Internet was. I got 26-27 KiloBytes with GP. I used GP unlimited for a Long time and often used it since I use a postpaid connection and I can start using and stop using GP Package 2 anytime.
You get 2/3 KBps that’s either the problem in your area or the devices that you are using. People using GP still gets 26-27 KBps in some areas. This article of mine was written 1 and half years back. GP internet was really cool those days. It has got degraded in this year due to GP’s campaign earned them a huge number of Internet users (Like you) but GP may be still continuing with the bandwidth they used to have 1 and a half years back.
keo ki RANKSTEL er current internet speed shomporke janen?
ami age Satel use kortam, now GP Internet use kori. but both r expensive. shunlam RANKSTEL ekta new UNLIMITED INTERNET package charce. nam holo FIFRE. per month 600tk(without VAT). eta nte chachchi, but RANKSTEL er speed kemon ta janina. keo jodi jene thaken amak doya kore janaben. janale kritoggo thakbo.
ifazkaveen@gmail.com
Can anyone tell me the speed of Rankstel internet in Basabo Area (Dhaka)?
I use peoples tel i am getting 20-30 KBps download speed but some times it comes down in 16-20 KBps i am in mirpur-2 i buy the phone today.i use unlimited internet.peoples rulzz.
Bhai keo ki amare janate paren..? Dhaka phone handset (ETS-2258) E ki ami onano CDMA network jemon CITYCELL rankstell etc. use korte parbo R kibhabe…? Janate parle donno hoboo.!!
For M2M data communication GPRS/GSM data modem is a very good option worldwide.For this one will require data enabled SIM. In a SIm there might be 2 numbers. One is Voice number and another is data number.Sometimes it is called Circuit switch data.Could anybody tell how could we get a data enabled SIM from any telephone(GSM/GPRS) operators of Bangladesh.