MTNL Broadband service TriBand has reduced it’s pricing for various broadband tariff plans. MTNL is all set to kick some major ass in the broadband service provider segment. At a time when TRAI is all screwed up with it’s broadband policy issues, MTNL’s price reduction could provide a much needed lifeline for broadband users in major metros. MTNL broadband has reduced it’s unlimited data transfer packages from Rs. 799 per month to Rs. 599 per month for a 256 kbps broadband connection. It is also providing 100 free calls with the same tariff plan. A very smart plan offered by MTNL faces a rotten egg right on the face with another tariff plan introduced by MTNL. The new plan provides the user with a speed of upto 2 mbps for only Rs. 99 per month. But wait! Don’t rush to the MTNL office yet, the plan includes a data cap of just 150 MB. So it evens out the whole thing. Some dumb asses as well as some smart people reside at MTNL Broadband. MTNL has also reduced registration charges by Rs. 100 and Modem security by Rs. 200.

Currently Airtel offers a 256 kbps unlimited broadband connection for Rs. 799. BSNL Broadband service Dataone offers the same for Rs. 750. Airtel could feel the heat in the metros served by MTNL Broadband. Airtel is expected to reduce it’s prices as well. People would obviously opt for MTNL as there’s a price difference of almost Rs.200 along with free 100 local calls. Way to go MTNL Broadband!

Here is the updated tariff plan list for MTNL Broadband service Triband:

It’s over. Even before it could start, it’s over. The prices for the Apple iPhone 3G are out today. The 8GB model is priced at Rs. 31000 and the 16GB model is priced at Rs. 36100. Now that’s way out of reach for people like you and me. I expected some sugary price tag of around Rs. 20000-25000. But I, like each one of you, feel disappointed. Nokia and HTC would be really happy with this news. It’s not just the price that would keep potential buyers away but the non-availability of 3G in India, unreliable GPRS/EDGE networks, no Bluetooth, standard 2MP camera, some issues etc. To add insult to injury the data plans for Apple iPhone 3G by Vodafone are a load of crap.

The monthly rent for iPhone will range from Rs 500 to Rs 1000 depending on your Internet requirements. The lower plan will provide you with 50 MB of free data usage while the upper 1000 plan provides 600 MB of data usage.

Whoa! I won’t be surprised to see more crappy data plans for iPhone 3G once 3G starts in India. No there is no unlimited data transfer plan from Vodafone.

Both Vodafone and Airtel will be launching the iPhone on August 22 and industry experts say bookings and pre-launch interest suggest that they would be able to sell over 100,000 phones in the next 12 months.

The numbers are bloated for sure. That’s because they’ve assumed that all those people who registered for those booking pranks will actually buy an iPhone 3G. Not after coming to know about the actual price tag. So right now just sit back and relax. Enjoy your old phone for a little longer. In the mean time I’m going to checkout some iPhone 3G alternatives. I’ll post my findings here once I’m done with it.

After WiFi failed to live up to it’s expectations it’s time Chandigarh gets a slice of the WiMAX party. Tata Indicom is the first company to launch WiMAX broadband internet access in the city. WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) is based on the IEEE 802.16 standard which is also popularly known as WirelessMAN. WiMAX can prove to be a great alternative to cable and DSL.

Currently Tata Indicom is charging a little over Rs. 2000 for security and installation which might be a bit too high. It’s not sure if the installation includes the price of a WiMAX adapter card. The installation and security can be waived off provided you pay up an advance rental of four months. The tariff plans are similar to the ones currently being offered by other broadband service providers in the city. A 256kbps unlimited broadband connection has been priced at around Rs. 750 and 384kbps for Rs. 1000.