Remember that Vodafone still doesn’t have any 3G coverage in India and that will not happen any sooner than 1 September 2010 (provided they are among the selected list of companies when the bids will be opened later this week). So no matter whether you buy a 3G stick or a 4G stick, you are only left with Vodafone’s GPRS/EDGE network that can give speeds of 144kbps.
3G stick while roaming
Roaming as always is completely free with in India. But where you might have an Advantage over other networks is when you roam outside India. Vodafone with its vast network all over the world and 3G being existent in most parts of the western countries, you will then enjoy the real 3G experience.
But for India, at least until 1 September 2010, you are left with 144kbps speed.
3G USB stick plans
Before we get to the plan, let me also add that this stick can support a MicroSD card up to 2GB. So you now also have a ‘real USB’ besides a device that can connect to the Internet.
Subscription charges are extremely less than other data cards, but are on an annual basis.
For Rs.5999 a year, you get 1GB of free data and for Rs.6999 (Rs.583.25 a month) a year you get Unlimited data (Really can’t understand the logic here, for only a difference of Rs.1000, a shift from 1GB to Unlimited).
For Mumbai, Maharashtra, Goa and Madhya Pradesh add another R.500 to both the plans.
For 1GB plan, 1ps/10KB will be charged beyond free usage.
Here is the sweetest part, the actual USB stick costs Rs.2599 which comes your way for free if you choose the Unlimited plan. So you now have to pay only Rs.7999 to get the 3G USB stick and 1 year subscription. Sweet, isn’t it?