Broadband`s got cheaper for owls

PERSONAL TECHNOLOGY

MTNL TriBand

Tata Indicom

Sify broadband

Speed

256 kbps

256-1512 kbps

256 kbps

Security deposit

TriBand -Rs 1300 with Landline Rs 5300 partly refundable

Rs 1000

None, since connection through cable

Installation charges

Rs 500

Rs 1000-3000

Rs 2500

Equipment cost

Rental Rs 95/month

Included in installation charge

None

Basic package

Rental of Rs 590 for
500 MB for a month. Lapses if unused.
Additional usage Rs 1.20 per MB. Free from 12 am-8 am

Rental of Rs 375 for 500MB, for a month.
Lapses if unused.
Additional usage at Rs 1.25 per MB

Rental of Rs 400 for 400MB for a month. Lapses if unused.
Need to renew package.

Additional IP address

Rs 2000

Rs 2000

NA

Dial-up domestic & international roaming

NA

Yes

NA

 Sify's rates are also good at a rupee per MB, for the lower range of data transfer, at Rs 400 for 400 MB, but then its at 256 kbps, half the speed of Tata Indicom.  Once again, the price too gets better as you use more space -- for one GB for month its just Rs 550, that's 55 paise per MB For all the rental packages, if you don't exhaust the space within the stipulated time -- say a month, then you've lost out, because the space lapses and you have effectively ended up paying a higher rate.  So you need to have a rough idea of how much you're going to be using. Otherwise, if you're not planning to use the connection too heavily, MTNL's new scheme of Rs 2 per MB might be good for you since there's no rental. You pay for as much data transferring that you've done.  Where Tata Indicom schemes can help you is through its time-based plans or hourly plans. In these schemes the rate is linked to a number of hours, for Rs 600 you can buy yourself 25 hours a month. While its difficult to compare hours with MBs, users say that one hour would roughly be equivalent to 30-40 MB.  Hourly packages are good for those of you who are downloading a lot of data or music, since you will need to do a lot of data transfer.  Conversely those of you who love to chat, opt for a data transfer based package since chatting requires very little data transfer and you will get more bang for the buck.  With Triband, the initial costs, especially the security deposit, are still a trifle high, though Rs 3,000 is refundable if you want to discontinue with the broadband connection. However, MTNL has softened the blow by allowing you to pay up in six equal instalments.  Moreover, instead of charging a lump sum for the equipment, you can pay for it every month, though that again for the entire time that you keep the connection.  Or you can pick up the modem from the market -- its made by D-Link and the model no 502T. The Sify connection comes to you through your cable connection so you don't need a modem or other equipment.