Idea Netsetter USB wireless internet access in India

Idea Netsetter, the USB wireless internet access device from Idea Cellular is here. Idea Netsetter offers wireless internet access on its GSM network in several cities through this service. Idea Netsetter uses GPRS to access the Web.

Get IDEA Netsetter, talk to Mumbai Indians

With internet on your laptop courtesy Idea Netsetter, you can access news, weather, and chat online, without the hassles of a wired internet connection.
Idea said that the Net Setter EG612 USB Modem can be used on both desktops and laptops. The Netsetter also offers SMS facility. The pendrive-shaped Netsetter is a GPRS device on GSM networks for internet access. Global roaming is available on the Idea Netsetter, Idea Cellular said in a press release.

Idea Netsetter has an EDGE peak rate of 247kbit/s and effective peak rate of. 236.8 kbit/s respectively; The GPRS peak rate is 85.6 kbit/s.

To use the Netsetter on your PC or laptop, ensure that the computer has a functioning USB port. Once you run the dialler software CD and install the application, you are ready to surf the net on Netsetter.

The price of the Idea Netsetter USB internet access device is Rs 2490, including all taxes.

However, a comparison of the access speeds of Idea Netsetter against some of the other USB-based wireless access devices reveals a sorry story. Tata Indicom’s Photon+ offers a download speed up to 3.1 mbps, the same as Netconnect Broadband+ from Reliance Communications. EVDO services launched in select cities by BSNL also offer fast downloads and uploads through USB devices.

The following are some of the postpaid tariff plans offered by Idea Cellular for its Netsetter GSM-GPRS wireless internet service.

Plan    Rental Free Usage    Charges beyond free usage    for first 3 bills
Net Setter 299    299    512 MB    Rs 2/mb    Free usage – 1 GB
Net Setter 399    399    1 GB    Rs 2/mb    Free usage – 2 GB
Net Setter 849    849    Unlimited    NA    Rental – 500

SMS charges on the Idea Netsetter

Local SMS: Re 1
National SMS: Rs 1.50
International SMS: Rs 5

Idea Netsetter roaming charges

While roaming on Idea Cellular networks, the charges will be the same as in the home network. While roaming in other networks in India, there will be an additional charge 10 paise per 10 kb, while for international roaming, the extra charges will be Rs 5 per 10 KB.

The modem used on the Idea Netsetter is a Huawei EG 162G, made by Huawei Technologies of China. The Netsetter works on Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista and Apple MAcintosh operating systems. Other requirements include an 866 MHz frequency CPU, 128 MB RAM, free hard disk space of 100 MB, and a screen resolution of 1024X768. The Netsetter access the wireless signals through a SIM class placed conveniently within the USB device.

Idea has recently entered into an alliance with Mumbai Indians with the ongoing Indian premier League IPL matches in South Africa. Idea Cellular has tied up with Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance, which owns the Mumbai Indians team. As per the multi-year Mumbai Indians-Idea Cellular arrangement, all members of the Mumbai Indians team will sport the Idea Cellular logo on their clothes. Idea has also been designated the “Founding Partner” of the Mumbai Indians team.

Prominent members of Team Mumbai Indians include Sachin Tendulkar–Captain of the Mumbai Indians, Sanath Jayasuriya, Harbhajan Singh and Zaheer Khan.

Idea Cellular currently has a subscriber base of 43 million, and offers GSM telephony in 16 service areas. Idea Cellular is part of the Aditya Birla group.
Said Mr. Ashish Chauhan, Managing Director, Mumbai Indians: “We are extremely excited about IDEA Cellular coming on board as part of the Mumbai Indians team. As one of the youngest sides in terms of average age in the league and studded with star performers, we believe Mumbai Indians has a natural fit with IDEA Cellular.”

Since this time IPL is held outside India, Idea and the other sponsors of the event are doing their best to keep the excitement going on, by launching new services, bringing updates from South Africa on the mobile and offering a bunch of contests and promotions.

Mumbai Indians, led by Icon Player Sachin Tendulkar, includes international stars like Sanath Jayasuriya, Dilhara Fernando, JP Duminy and Kyle Mills, besides Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh.  IndiaWin Sports, part of the Reliance group, owns the Mumbai based franchise. Mumbai Indians were the most watched team on television in the first edition of the IPL tournament (Source: IPL Committee Report), totaling 239 million viewers.