 BSNL's EVDO Wireless Internet Card |
In a move to match its private competitors, state-owned BSNL will begin to offer roaming facility for its portable internet services for customers using NIC and EVDO PC Cards.
BSNL’s wireless data service or portable internet that runs on CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) technology is available in two plans. Users of both PCMCIA cards, EVDO and NIC, will be eligible for roaming facility.
The NIC or Network Interface Card gives speeds up to 144kbps and the EVDO card offers speeds up to 2.4Mbps.
EVDO or ‘Evolution, Data Only’ or ‘Evolution, Data Optimized’ or ‘CDMA2000, High Rate Packet Data Air Interface’ is a standard for high speed wireless broadband. It is one of the two popular 3G wireless standards the other one being W-CDMA. BSNL is the first wireless internet provider in India to provide EVDO way back in 2007.
On promotional basis, BSNL will offer the cards at rates of Rs. 1,680 and Rs. 2,100 till September 30, 2009. The monthly charge of the two new plans will be Rs. 250 and Rs. 650 per month for NIC and EVDO respectively. This new tariff will be in effect from July, 1st onwards for all new customers.
BSNL allows unlimited data transfer every month for users of either card. The older plans of Rs. 250 for NIC and Rs. 550 for EVDO will be discontinued by BSNL shortly.
