Posts made by Amitav Sengupta

The Chinese smartphone adds 6GB RAM variant to the super affordable Redmi 9A smartphone. Incidentally, the same Redmi 9A with 4GB RAM is rebranded as Redmi 9i in the Indian market.

In a significant move, the Xiaomi has increased the memory further thereby releasing the 6GB RAM version of Redmi 9A in China. The new 6GB RAM + 128GB ROM variant of Redmi 9A costs somewhere $145.

Desh Ka Smartphone Redmi 9A:

On 30th June 2020, Xiaomi unveiled the most affordable Redmi 9A handset in the Indian market. Calling it Desh Ka Smartphone, Xiaomi has got just 13mp AI primary camera and 5mp AI selfie camera.

The Redmi 9A sports a 6.53-inch HD+ IPS display with 20:9 aspect ratio. Powered by a 2Hz octa-core MediaTek Helio G25 chipset and up to 3GB RAM, the handset has an inbuilt 32GB storage space. The internal storage can be further expanded up to 512GB supporting dedicated SIM card slot.

Redmi 9A Rebranded as Redmi 9i:

Backed by a mammoth 5000mAh battery and 10W fast charger inbox, this low-cost smartphone has got AI Face Unlock recognition system. The Redmi 9A is available in 3 colour variants including Midnight Black, Nature Green, and Sea Blue.

On the cost front, the 2GB+32GB variant is priced at ₹6799 and the 3GB+32GB variant costs ₹7499.

What’s Your Opinion?

Recently, the Chinese company rebranded the same Redmi 9A as Redmi 9i by upgrading the RAM to 4GB. Henceforth, the Redmi 9i 4GB RAM + 64GB ROM is priced at ₹8299 and the Redmi 9i 4GB RAM + 128GB ROM is priced at ₹9299.

Going by the recent rebranding work, Xiaomi will definitely release the 6GB RAM variant as Redmi 9i.

Do you think that anyone would be interested in spending $145 on Redmi 9A or Redmi 9i (with Helio G25 and single-camera) when they get a better phone in the same budget?

In fact, Xiaomi has already got many good smartphones in its lineup rather than spending for 6GB RAM.

Would you agree with my opinion? Share your thoughts.

Also Read: Xiaomi Redmi 9A at Just ₹6799 (With Helio G25 SoC & 5000mAh Battery)

Reliance Jio has allied with the UK-based AeroMobile Communications Ltd to provide the in-flight service exclusively for Jio Postpaid Plus users when they travel abroad.

For Indian mobile subscribers, the in-flight mobile connectivity is the first of its kind. Recently, the Reliance Jio has announced this feature exclusively for its Jio Postpaid plus subscribers.

AeroMobile Onboard Wi-Fi:

To the unaware, AeroMobile is the subsidiary of UK’s Panasonic Avionics Corporation. The company is known for providing technology to airlines worldwide thereby allowing the safe use of passenger’s own mobile phones while in-flight.

Since 2008, the AeroMobile has been in business providing the voice and data services on 20 airline partners covering both Airbus and Boeing aircraft.

Speaking on this occasion, Mr Akash Ambani, Director Jio, said: “JioPostpaid Plus brings the highest-quality user experience through our partnership with AeroMobile”.

Jio AeroMobile Inflight Connectivity from 20000 Feet:

He also added that Jio is delighted to bring this in-flight service to the Indian customers who will now be able to enjoy seamless, high-quality and secure roaming at 20,000 feet.

The CEO AeroMobile Mr Kevin Rogers also declared that partnership with Jio will broaden the reach of connectivity services across India. The company is committed to providing the very best service to customers.

How to Avail Jio In-Flight Service?

The recently launched Jio Postpaid Plus plans ranging from Rs 499 offer the much-awaited in-flight service for the Indian Jio subscribers travelling abroad.

As per the data revealed by JioCare, availing Jio in-flight service involves a few simple steps.

• Turn off the Airplane mode on the handset.
• The Jio AeroMobile network gets connected automatically.
• If there’s a problem with automatic network selection, then the user needs to manually select AeroMobile in phone settings.
• To avail data services, turn on the “Data Roaming” setting.
• As soon as the AeroMobile network gets connected, you’ll receive a welcome message.

Connecting to Jio In-flight service is similar to availing public Wi-Fi network including Railwaire Wi-Fi. As soon as you get connected on AeroMobile network, you are welcome to use voice calls, SMS and data services.

Let’s wait and watch for the commencement of this Jio In-flight connectivity service

Do you agree with my opinion? Share your thoughts.

Also Read: Jio Postpaid Plus Plans Starting from ₹399 (Postpaid Tariff War)

Apple announced many new highlights at the special “Time Flies” event including new tablets. The tech giant also unveiled a new Apple Watch Series 6 and Apple One service.

The new iPad Air has got a refreshing design similar to iPad Pro. It has got much thinner bezels all around the display. Sporting a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display with 2360x1640 resolution, the new iPad Air gets TouchID biometrics built into the power button.

Powered by the new A14 Bionic chipset, the new iPad Air has a 6-core CPU design with two high-performance cores and four high-efficiency cores. With this, the Apple iPad Air user gets a 40% improvement in terms of performance. Moreover, the graphics are 30% faster compared to the previous iPad Air.

A14 Bionic chipset with 5nm:

The industry analysts feel that the new A14 Bionic chipset with iPadOS 14 could also feature in the upcoming Apple iPhone 12. Surprisingly, the A14 Bionic chipset is built on a 5nm SoC process and is probably the first company to achieve this milestone. Android still uses 7nm process.

On the optics front, you get a 12mp rear camera with f/1.8 aperture supporting 4K video recording and 240 fps slow-mo. For selfie lovers, a 7mp shooter with f/2.0 aperture that even shoots 1080p videos at 60fps.

Apple has got USB Type-C support with 20W charger in the retail box. The LTE connectivity and Wi-Fi 6 support an incredible 5Gbps data transfer. Above all, it also supports Apple $299 Magic Keyboard accessory (₹27,900).

There’s no update regarding the battery, so one can expect the same 10-hour battery life with the new offering.

Though the company has made all efforts to bring most of the iPad Pro premium to an affordable price point, the new iPad Air still lacks a 120Hz high refresh rate display.

The new iPad Air will be available in 5 colours including Silver, Space Gray, Rose Gold, Green and Sky-Blue. The tech giant also revealed the prices. They start at $599 (Wi-Fi only ₹54900), $729 (Wi-Fi + Cellular with 64GB storage ₹66900), $879 (Wi-Fi + Cellular with 256GB).

iPad (8th Generation):

The Apple iPad 8th generation is now powered by A12 Bionic chipset. Most of the specs are in similar lines as its predecessor. Price-wise, it starts at $329 (32GB Wi-Fi only), $459 (32GB Wi-Fi + Cellular). If you are looking for a higher 128GB inbuilt space, then it costs $429/$559.

Starting this Friday, the iPad 8th generation is available for pre-booking.

Apple Watch:

As stated earlier, the Apple Watch series got wider acceptance at “Time Flies” event. The Apple Watch Series 6 (GPS) is priced at ₹40,999 and the Apple Watch Series 6 (GPS+Cellular) costs ₹49,900.

The other model Watch SE (GPS) costs ₹29900 and the premium variant Watch SE (GPS+Cellular) at ₹33900.

Apple One Subscription Bundle:

In an effort to bundle all the software offerings under one package (similar to Amazon Prime), the hardware giant took a good initiation. It brought Apple Music, Apple TV Plus, Apple Arcade, Apple News Plus, and iCloud – all under Apple One Subscription Bundle.

Under the new Apple One Subscription, there are 3 packages namely Individual, Family, and Premier that costs $14.95, $19.95, and $29.95 respectively. There’s a 30-day free trial. One can change or cancel the subscription any time.

Comparatively, this Apple One subscription service is cheaper in India. It costs ₹195 and ₹365 respectively in India. There’s no Apple Premier plan in India. Currently, it is limited to the US, the UK, Australia and Canada.

Summarizing, the Apple One subscription is definitely a welcome move. Hope Apple starts its News+ service so that it could launch the Premier plan too in the Indian market.

Apple One	Individual	Family (up to 6 members)	Premier (up to 6 members)
Apple Music	Yes	Yes	Yes
Apple TV+	Yes	Yes	Yes
Apple Arcade	Yes	Yes	Yes
Apple News+			Yes
Apple Fitness+			Yes
iCloud Storage	50GB	200GB	2TB
Price in India	Rs 195	Rs 365	Not Available
Price in US	$ 14.95	$ 19.95	$ 29.95

Do you agree with my opinion? Share your thoughts.

Also Read: Indian Govt Unwilling to Give Special Tax Incentives to Apple

The Chinese electronics giant Xiaomi has launched another new phone Poco M2 in the Indian market. Though it has got impressive specs, the new handset is believed to be a tweaked version of another popular smartphone Redmi Note 9 Pro and Redmi 9 Prime with No Ads.

The USP of the Poco M2 is its Helio G80 processor and 6GB RAM. At ₹10,999, POCO M2 seems to the most affordable 6GB RAM handset available in the market.

Poco M2 Specifications:

Let’s get into the details to know more about the other important specifications.

The Poco M2 sports a 6.53-inch display with Full HD+ (2340x1080 pixels) resolution. The waterdrop notch design with an 8mp selfie camera makes it appealing. You get corning gorilla glass 3 protection for the same.

Powered by a MediaTek Helio G80 processor and 6GB LPDDR4x RAM, the handset has got Mali G52 GPU for efficient handling of games. For storage, it has an inbuilt space up to 128GB. You can even expand it further up to 512GB using a micro SD card.

Poco M2 Camera Specs:

In terms of camera, the Poco M2 has AI quad rear optics setup. This includes 13mp primary shooter, 8mp ultra-wide sensor, 5mp macro and 2mp depth sensor lens. As told earlier, it has got 8mp AI selfie shooter on the front.

As usual, this is a dual-SIM 4G VoLTE handset with all modern network connectivity. Above all, it includes IR blaster, VoWiFi, USB Type-C port and a 3.5mm headphone jack. You will not be disappointed with its 5000mAh battery and 18W fast charging support.

You need to spend extra money to get the same as the retail box includes just a 10W charger.

The Poco M2 runs on MIUI 11 (Android 10) out of the box and MIUI 12 is scheduled to arrive in the future.

The P2i water-repelling nano-coating for moderate splashes and the rear-mounted fingerprint scanner makes it more appealing to the budget phone lovers.

Poco M2 Availability:

Poco M2 come sin new colour variants including Slate Blue, Brick Red, and Pitch Black. Starting September 15th, one can purchase this Flipkart exclusive at just ₹10,999 (for 6GB RAM + 64GB ROM).

If you can shell out an extra ₹1500, then you get double the storage (6GB RAM + 128GB ROM).

Also Read: Realme 7 & Realme 7 Pro Phone Comparison

BSNL, the state-owned telecommunications company, raised the minimum recharge for incoming calls. As per the latest information, minimum recharge for BSNL to activate incoming calls is Rs 74.

Earlier too the ₹74 plan was considered to be the minimum recharge for BSNL to keep SIM active for incoming calls. Then the validity was used to be 90 days. However, the freebies of 2GB data and 100 minutes free voice calls had a validity of just 15 days.

BSNL ₹74 Per Second Plan with 60 Days Validity:

The BSNL has recently revamped its prepaid plans. As per the new pricing, the same old BSNL ₹74 recharge voucher will now have a validity of 60 days.

Under this plan, the user can avail 2GB data and 100 minutes free voice calls both in-home and national roaming including Mumbai and Delhi telecom circles. In addition to it, one can avail free PRBT default tune for a period of 60 days.

So, the minimum recharge for BSNL to activate incoming calls (or to remove incoming barring) is ₹74 Per Second Plan. This is really a BIG jolt to the rural telecom users. Of course, those who are using BSNL as a secondary (or standby) SIM has to shell out more money.

All the services will be suspended post the grace period, so the subscribers should have knowledge of the new prepaid tariff plans. The private telecom operators had already increased their minimum monthly recharge to ₹45 to keep their numbers active for incoming calls.

BSNL Adv Per Min ₹94 with 90 Days Validity:

If you are looking for other low-value recharge, then BSNL Adv Per Min 94 seems to be a better option. This ₹94 BSNL recharge plan offers 3GB data and 100 minutes free voice calls that can be used in home and national roaming including Mumbai and Delhi telecom circles.

Under a special agreement, the BSNL users of this plan can avail inter circle roaming with Vodafone as VLMN in Delhi Telecom Circle.

Keeping it aside, ₹94 BSNL recharge plan is the lowest plan that a subscriber can recharge for BSNL SIM validity (to keep SIM active for incoming calls) for a period of 90 days. That is, if you calculate for 30 days, the cost comes down to less than ₹32.

Voucher	Per Second Plan 74	Adv Per Min 94
Cost	Rs 74	Rs 94
Validity	60 days	90 days
Data Benefit	2GB	3GB
Voice Calls	100 minutes	100 minutes
Free PRBT Tune	60 days	60 days

Though there are many high-value BSNL prepaid plans including PV_365 and PV_1999, they are no-way go-to plans for the subscribers looking for minimum recharge to keep their BSNL sim active for receiving incoming calls.

Going by the latest statement of the Bharti Airtel chairman Mr Sunil Bharti Mittal that subscribers should be prepared to pay a lot more, one can expect that there could be a further increase in data tariffs.

It seems the telecom companies are only interested in raising the average revenue per user (ARPU) and BSNL is no exception. Instead, the companies should improve the network quality and customer experience.

Also Read: BSNL Adds ₹365 STV with 365 Days Validity

After a few hints and leaks on the social media, the Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi has launched Redmi 8 at just ₹7,999. This is truly a pocket-friendly handset with dual cameras and a bigger battery.

If you happen to grab the recently launched Redmi 8A, then you can call it a higher-end variant of it. The specifications and features are slightly upgraded over the Redmi 8A. One thing is for sure, these days Xiaomi is concentrating more on battery and camera department.

Redmi 8 with Dual Camera:

The Redmi 8 has got a dual-camera setup with a 12-megapixel f/1.8 aperture of Sony IMX363 sensor and a 2-megapixel depth sensor for better portrait mode. Moreover, it has got the popular Google Lens integration that helps you to translate any text in 104 languages.

The flagship Sony IMX363 sensor is the same one that’s been used in a lot of higher-end phones (>20K segment) including its POCOF1. Definitely, one could expect amazing snapshots.

In addition, the Redmi 8 features an 8-megapixel AI selfie camera. On the security side, it packs a rear fingerprint sensor and Face Unlock support.

Redmi 8 with Mammoth Battery:

The other notable inclusion is a powerful 5000mAh battery with 18W fast charging support. The company boasts that the AI battery enhancement will provide an excellent battery life along with USB Type-C port for charging.

Though the handset is supported with 18W fast charging support, the box just contains a 10W charger. In a nutshell, the Redmi 8 box contains a smartphone, 10W charger, Type C charging cable, clear case, SIM card ejector, and user manual.

Powered by octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 439 chipset and up to 4GB RAM, the Redmi 8 has an inbuilt storage capacity up to 64GB. Moreover, it has a dedicated microSD card slot where one can extend its storage capacity up to 512GB.

Redmi 8 Design & Pricing:

Design-wise, Redmi 8 sports a 6.22-inch HD+ resolution (720x1520 pixels) with Dot Notch at the top. The screen is protected by P2i splash-proof nano-coating and Corning Gorilla Glass 5 at the front. Hopefully, this might be a first in this price segment.

The Redmi 8 looks superb in the Aura Mirror design. If given a choice, I would pick the Sapphire Blue variant. The company has got Onyx Black and Ruby Red-colored variants too.

The latest budget smartphone will be offered in two variants 3GB RAM + 32GB ROM and 4GB RAM + 64GB ROM. Starting October 12th at 00.01 hours, the Mi lovers can grab their favorite Redmi 8 at ₹7,999 and ₹8,999 respectively on Mi India, Flipkart and Mi Home stores.

As the company is celebrating its 5th anniversary in India, Xiaomi has revealed special pricing for the first 5 million units. People who order 3GB RAM + 32GB ROM variant will automatically be upgraded to a 4GB variant. That’s a clear benefit of ₹1000 straight away. Just grab your favorite Redmi 8 at just ₹7999.

Interestingly, the Xiaomi India Head Manu Kumar Jain also revealed that Redmi Note 8 (64-megapixel QuadCamBeast) will be launched on 16th October. It’s to be noted that the Redmi Note 8 series is official in China and it’s a matter of one week waiting. Stay tuned!

Also Read: Xiaomi Mi A3 First Impressions - A Good Package at 13K

In spite of its financial crisis, the state-owned telecom firm BSNL has launched an interesting plan in its broadband product lineup. The newly rolled out “3GB BSNL CUL Broadband Plan” offers 8 Mbps broadband speed at just ₹499.

As per the reports, this new plan is rolled out in Tamil Nadu Circle and it would be extended PAN-India. Coming to details, the 3GB BSNL CUL Broadband Plan comes with a daily data limit of 3GB at 8Mbps speed. However, the data speed will be reduced to 1 Mbps speed after the Fair Usage Limit.

3GB BSNL CUL Broadband Plan:

Apart from broadband internet, the subscriber gets unlimited calling benefit to all the networks. When the telecom companies are offering to carry forward unused data to the next billing cycle, the BSNL has struck with a daily data limit. Leaving it aside, the subscriber can enjoy 90GB of data and unlimited calling at a monthly rental of ₹499.

2GB BSNL CUL Broadband Plan:

On a similar note, the BSNL has rolled out 2GB BSNL CUL Broadband Plan at 8Mbps speeds. The monthly rental of this plan is ₹399. Here, the FUP limit is 2GB and post the FUP limit one can enjoy the unlimited internet at 1Mbps speed.

With this plan, the subscriber can use 60GB of high-speed internet. In addition to the broadband internet, the plan offers unlimited voice calls to any network in India.

Leaving it aside, the BSNL has also got a third plan with the same 2GB daily FUP limit. However, calling benefits are reduced. The user can enjoy unlimited calling on BSNL network and ₹600 worth of calling benefit to other networks. The monthly rental of this broadband plan is ₹349.

Comparison of Plans:

BSNL Broadband Plan	3GB BSNL CUL Broadband Plan	2GB BSNL CUL With No Calling Limit	2GB BSNL CUL Broadband Plan
Monthly Rental	₹499	₹399	₹349
Daily Data Limit	3GB/day	2GB/day	2GB/day
Broadband Speed	8Mbps	8Mbps	8Mbps
Total Data (in High Speed)	90GB	60GB	60GB
Speed after FUP Limit	1Mbps	1Mbps	1Mbps
Voice Benefits to BSNL Network	Unlimited Calling	Unlimited Calling	Unlimited Calling
Voice Benefits to Other Networks	Unlimited Calling	Unlimited Calling	Worth ₹600

What’s Your Opinion?

On the pricing side, the plans seem to be economical. However, when one compares the above plans in the current market, BSNL has nothing to cheer. Even the private telecom operators are finding it difficult to match the stiff competition triggered by disruptive offerings of Reliance Jio.

When there is a huge gap between monthly revenues and expenses, the government should take a call and ensure revival roadmap for the ailing government-owned corporation.

Also Read: BSNL Revises Unlimited BB Plans to GB/Day Plans

@dipika-menon

Hope this comparison helps in deciding what to buy.

OnePlus 7 Vs. OnePlus 7 Pro - Specifications Comparision:

	OnePlus 7 Pro	OnePlus 7
Display	6.67-inch Fluid AMOLED (~88.1% screen-to-body ratio) 3120x1440 pixels resolution (19.5:9) (~516 ppi density) 90Hz, HDR10+ Gorilla Glass 6 protection	6.41-inch Optic AMOLED (~85.5% screen-to-body ratio) 2340x1080 pixels resolution (19.5:9) (~402 ppi density) Gorilla Glass 6 protection
Build	Front/back glass, Aluminum frame	Front/back glass, Aluminum frame
Chipset	Qualcomm SDM855 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 485) CPU Adreno 640 GPU	Qualcomm SDM855 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 485) CPU Adreno 640 GPU
RAM	6GB/8GB/12GB	6GB/8GB
Storage	128GB/256GB	128GB/256GB
SIM	Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)	Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
MicroSD card slot	No	No
Rear camera 1	48 MP, f/1.6, 1/2", 0.8µm, Laser/PDAF, OIS	48 MP, f/1.7, 1/2", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
Rear camera 2	8 MP, f/2.4, 78mm (telephoto), 3x zoom, Laser/PDAF, OIS	5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm, depth sensor
Rear camera 3	16 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide)	No
Front camera	Motorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm	16 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm
Connectivity	Wi-Fi ac 2x2 MIMO, Bluetooth 5.0 AptX HD, LDAC, NFC, A-GPS, USB 3.1, Type-C 1.0 reversible connector, USB On-The-Go	Wi-Fi ac 2x2 MIMO, Bluetooth 5.0 AptX HD, NFC, A-GPS USB 3.1, Type-C 1.0 reversible connector, USB On-The-Go
Speed	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE-A (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE-A (5CA) Cat16 1024/150 Mbps
Audio	USB-C, Stereo speakers	USB-C, Stereo speakers
3.5mm jack	No	No
Battery	Non-removable Li-Po 4000mAh	Non-removable Li-Po 3700mAh
Charging	USB-C 3.1 Fast battery charging 30W (Warp Charge)	USB-C Fast battery charging 20W
Operating system	Android 9.0 (Pie); OxygenOS 9	Android 9.0 (Pie); OxygenOS 9
Water resistance	No	No
Security	In-display fingerprint	In-display fingerprint
Dimensions	162.6 x 75.9 x 8.8mm	157.7 x 74.8 x 8.2mm
Weight	206g	182g
Colors	Mirror Gray, Nebula Blue, Almond	Mirror Gray, Red
Price	₹48,999 (6GB RAM + 128GB Storage) ₹52,999 (8GB RAM + 256GB Storage) ₹57,999 (12GB RAM + 256GB Storage)	₹32999 (6GB RAM + 128GB Storage) ₹37999 (8GB RAM + 256GB Storage)

The state-run telecom company BSNL has revised its popular Plan Maximum 999 by offering extra 2.2Gb/day data with a validity of 181 days.

Unlike the private telecom companies, the BSNL has been in a good form. The company is taking on the momentum by the introduction of new plans. At the same time, the BSNL is revising its popular plans by adding freebies to a great extent.

BSNL Plan Maximum 999:

One among such initiatives is the revision of Plan Maximum 999. Under this plan, all the local/STD/Roaming calls are free and unlimited except in Mumbai and Delhi telecom circles. Moreover, one can access unlimited data.

Earlier the FUP limit was 1GB/day and it was revised to 2.1GB per day. Now, one can access an extra 2.2GB/day. That makes an astounding 3.2GB data per day. Post the FUP, the speed will be restricted to 40kbps. As a combo offer, one can enjoy 100SMS/day with respect to this high validity plan.

The validity of the Plan Maximum 999 is 365 days. However, it should be noted that the freebies have a validity period of 181 days. Post the freebies validity period (on 182nd day), one should either recharge the same plan or else the tariff would be deducted from the main balance.

Thus, by recharging with the Plan Maximum 999 one gets a mammoth 579.2GB of data with a validity period of 181 days. This is really a huge offering by the public sector company. In some telecom circles, this plan is also known by the name BSNL Bumper Offer.

BSNL Plan Vaarshika 1699:

The BSNL has also got two high-end annual plans. The first one, Plan Vaarshika 1699 offers an unlimited voice in home LSA/Roaming including Mumbai and New Delhi telecom circles. The subscriber can enjoy 2GB/day data for a period of 365 days. And post the FUP, the speed will be restricted to 80kbps. With regard to SMS benefits, one can enjoy 100 SMS per day.

As a complimentary benefit, one can enjoy PRBT (personalized ring back tone) facility with unlimited song change option. This enables the BSNL subscriber to set up his favourite tune instead of the default ring.

BSNL Plan Vaarshika Plus 2099:

This long validity plan has all the benefits mentioned in the BSNL Plan Vaarshika 1699 with 365 days validity. The USP of the Vaarshika Plus 2099 plan is its daily offering of 4GB/day data benefit.

BSNL FRC 186 Plan:

Apart from the high-end offerings, the BSNL has also got an FRC 186 that offers unlimited local/STD/roaming calls to any network except Mumbai and Delhi telecom circles. Upon revision, this FRC 186 plan now offers 3.2GB daily data and 100 SMS per day with a validity period of 28 days.

When the state-run telecom operator BSNL is trying hard to make 4G a grand success, the subscribers will definitely love the revised plans. What’s your take on the recently revised tariff plans?

Also Read: BSNL Freedom Chhota 29 STV Now Offers Unlimited Calling for 7 Days

Hathway, a Mumbai headquartered the first cable ISP in Inda, has come up with another thunder plan in broadband segment. The new Thunder Hathway Broadband plan offers 125Mbps speed internet at just ₹649 per month with no FUP limitation.

Under the new ownership of Reliance Industries Limited, Hathway has been offering blazing speeds at an affordable price. As per the new Thunder Plan, Hathway offers 125Mbps broadband speed without any FUP restrictions. Though the newly launched plan is just limited to Hyderabad, the company expects it to launch in other areas too.

Starting from Hyderabad, the Hathway Broadband Internet has now extended its operations to Aurangabad, Baroda, Bangalore, Bhilai, Chandigarh, Delhi, Goa, Indore, Kolkata, Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Pimpri Chinchwad, Pune, Surat and Thane, Visakhapatnam, Vadodara, and Vellore.

Hathway Broadband Plans:

Last week, the Hathway Cable and Datacom Limited (popularly known as Hathway) has launched the cheapest broadband plan where the subscriber can enjoy 25 Mbps speeds at just ₹399 per month with no FUP limitation. This SUPER 25 Mbps broadband plan also has an annual payment option at just ₹4500.

Plan Name	Super	Lightening	Rapid	Freedom	Thunder
Speed	25 Mbps	75 Mbps	80 Mbps	100 Mbps	125 Mbps
Monthly Plan Charges	₹399	₹449	₹499	₹599	₹649

High Speed 300 Mbps Plan?

If rumours are to be believed Hathway is all set to launch high-speed 300Mbps broadband plans across the country. First, the company has already rolled out 300Mbps plan in Chennai, and it plans to make it other metros including Bangalore and Hyderabad. From there, the company plans to extend the launch of high-speed plans in a phased manner.

If one compares Hathway with other broadband internet providers like ACT Fibernet and Spectra then the Hathway is surely far behind in offering 1Gbps speeds. However, the backing of cash-rich Reliance Industries Ltd will surely help Hathway to grab the market in association with Reliance Jio GigaFiber.

Also Read: Mukesh Ambani Launches JioPhone 2 and JioGigaFiber in 1100 Cities

ASUS India has now launched the successor Asus ZenFone Max Pro M2 in the Indian market. After the stupendous success of Asus ZenFone Max Pro M1, the company has been on watch for a while.

Apart from Zenfone Max Pro M2, the Taiwanese multinational has launched another smartphone Asus ZenFone Max M2. For a while, let us concentrate our discussion exclusively on Asus ZenFone Max Pro M2. Starting from premium design to powerful chipset, the handset has got the best specs to give counter RealMe and Xiaomi.

Also Read: Xiaomi Mi A2 Launched at ₹16999, 6GB RAM Will Come Later

ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M2 Specifications:

Regarding specifications, Asus ZenFone Max Pro M2 sports a 6.26-inch Full HD+ screen with a notch on the top of the 19:9 aspect ratio display. The screen has 2280x1080 pixel resolution with 450 nits brightness. As per the company, the latest handset features the Corning Gorilla Glass 6 protection.

The handset is powered by the powerful 1.95GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 chipset, Adreno 512 GPU (for graphics) and 3GB/4GB/6GB LPDDR4X RAM.

It provides an inbuilt storage space of 32GB/64GB ROM with a dedicated microSD card slot that can be expanded up to 400GB. The three storage variants are as follows – 3GB RAM/32GB ROM, 4GB RAM/64GB ROM and 6GB RAM/64GB ROM and are priced ₹12999, ₹14999, and ₹16999 respectively.

Decent Camera & Mammoth Battery:

Regarding optics, the Asus ZenFone Max Pro M2 features a dual-camera setup. With 12-mp primary sensor (f/1.8 aperture) and 5mp depth sensor, this setup also offers 4K video support with EIS. On the front, the smartphone 13mp f/2.0 sensor with LED flash. One can find rear fingerprint sensor and face unlock support as well.

Similar to its predecessor, the Asus ZenFone Max Pro M2 is backed by a mammoth 5000mAh battery with 10W charging support. Though one can’t call it a stock Android 8.1 Oreo version, the handset is preloaded with just 3 apps namely Facebook, Instagram and Facebook Messenger. The company claims to provide a confirmed Android 9 Pie upgrade by January 2019.

With respect to connectivity options, it supports dual-SIM VoLTE standby, Bluetooth v 5.0, 3.5mm audio jack, micro USB port and more. Unlike its predecessor, the Asus ZenFone Max Pro M2 will be available in two colours – Blue and Titanium.

What’s Your Opinion?

Starting December 18th 12 noon, the latest smartphone will be available for sale on Flipkart portal. As a launch offer, one can expect 10% instant bank discount on Master card for first online payment and complete mobile protection plan worth ₹1299 at just ₹99.

With similar hardware and specs, the Asus ZenFone Max Pro M2 will now take on Realme 2 Pro (₹13990), Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro (₹13999), Xiaomi Mi A2 (₹15999), and Motorola One Power (₹15999). Going by the popularity, one can expect an easy going for the latest launch Asus ZenFone Max Pro M2.

Also Read: Redmi Note 6 Pro Goes on Sale, Special Price ₹12999 Only for Today

The HMD Global officially launched its premium mid-end smartphone Nokia 8.1 in the Indian market. Starting December 21st, the latest smartphone will be available at a price tag of ₹26999. One can purchase it both online (Amazon India and Nokia website) and offline (all major retail stores) across India.

To update, the Nokia 8.1 is a global variant of Nokia X7 that was launched in China in the month of October. Officially, the handset was given the name Nokia 8.1 in Dubai last week. HMD Global took no time in releasing it in the Indian market. Incidentally, HMD Global has launched more than 12 smartphones in India and thus one can expect its strategy.

Also Read: OnePlus 6T Review – Full Specifications, Price, Latest News & More

Nokia 8.1 Specifications:

Specifications wise, Nokia 8.1 is a premium mid-end Android-One branded smartphone. It sports a 6.18-inch Full HD+ IPS HDR 10 supporting display. With 1080x2244 pixel resolution and 18.7:9 aspect ratio and 500 nits peak brightness, the handset have got the best display.

Powered by the modern octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 710 SoC and 4GB LPDDR4x RAM, the handset has an inbuilt 64GB storage space that can be expandable up to 400GB.

The Nokia 8.1 sports a dual rear camera with 12mp f/1.8 primary lens and 13mp secondary optics with Zeiss branding for portrait capture. It also supports 4K video recording with OIS and EIS.

Bothie and Google ARCore Support:

On the front, there is a single 20mp f/2.0 camera with AI scene detection for selfies. The USP of these cameras is “Bothie” feature that enables simultaneous photo/video shooting facility from both cameras. It also has Google ARCore support.

Backed by a decent 3500mAh battery, the company expects it to last 2 days on a single charge. Moreover, it supports 18W fast charge. The other USP of this dual-SIM Nokia 8.1 handset is booting of the stock Android 9 Pie. Being a part of the Android One, one can expect timely updates for their handsets.

Starting December 10, HMD Global is accepting pre-orders of Nokia 8.1 smartphone available in two colours (Blue/Silver and Iron/Steel).

What’s Your Opinion?

To be frank, the latest Nokia 8.1 is a decent premium handset but slightly overpriced. When the premium Snapdragon 845 chipset handsets are available for 20K, the Snapdragon 710 SoC packed Nokia 8.1 looks to be a bit over-priced. However, the Android One branding coupled with Nokia makes it a decent buy.

As a part of launch offer, HMD Global has tied up with HDFC Bank to offer 10% cash back on the purchase. Similarly, Airtel Postpaid subscribers are eligible for 1-year Amazon Prime subscription and 3-month Netflix subscription. There are many more offers to come up. Just browse the Notify Me page on Amazon India.

Also Read: Xiaomi Mi A2 Launched at ₹16999, 6GB RAM Will Come Later

The Chinese consumer electronics company Meizu Technology Co. Ltd has made its comeback in India. Today, Meizu India officially launched the flagship smartphone the Meizu 16th with Snapdragon 845 chipset and 8GB RAM.

Though the Meizu made a debut in 2015, it couldn’t make it big. With this company has packed the top-of-the-line specifications to compete with OnePlus 6T and Xiaomi Pocophone F1. Priced at ₹39,999, the Meizu 16th will be an Amazon India exclusive.

Meizu 16th Specifications

Regarding specifications, the Meizu 16th sports a 6-inch Full HD+ Super AMOLED display with a 2160x1080 pixels resolution. It also features an in-display fingerprint scanner in similar lines with OnePlus 6T.

Powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset and 8GB RAM, the flagship handset provides an inbuilt 128GB storage. Though the company has got other variants, it has packed only the 128GB storage variant (Morning White & Midnight Black) for the Indian market. The lack of microSD card support will surely disappoint the multimedia lovers who store loads of content on their device.

The flagship smartphone portraits an impressive 12mp + 20mp Sony flagship lenses setup with f/2.0 aperture. Though the company claims awesome dark photography, the reviews are not in favour of it.

When the flagship smartphones are shipped outright with Android 9 Pie, the Meizu 16th is still booting Flyme 7 based on Android 8.1 Oreo.

This dual 4G VoLTE handset supports all the latest connectivity options. There’s a 3010mAh battery equipped with mCharge fast charging support. The company boasts to provide 60% charge in 60 minutes. Not a great battery but still will be able to last a day.

What’s Your Opinion:

At ₹39,999, the Meizu 16th is definitely not the cheapest flagship handset to purchase. When compared with Asus, Honor, OnePlus, and Xiaomi, the Meizu 16th can’t score more ratings in the mid-range flagship segment.

@mrinal-chauhan
@vikas-jadhav

Just received the following message on my Airtel number which has an unlimited recharge plan of ₹448.

Please Note! Base tariff for your Airtel Mobile has been changed w.e.f. 22-Nov-18.
You are required to pay Rs23 or more for 28 days validity. Else you can opt for unlimited/smart recharge from your main account balance.
Dial 12151#.
Ignore if recharged

It is highly disappointing to note that TRAI (instead of helping the customers) is trying the best to bail out these top telecom companies! By asking the telecom companies to send the SMS, TRAI has officially approved and thus put an end to free incoming calls for the lifetime.

This is totally unfair!!

The Chinese giant OPPO officially launched Realme 1 as an Amazon India Exclusive. Though claimed as a midrange phone, Realme 1 gets an AI processor meant for AI-based selfies features and efficient battery management.

When the whole nation is busy in following Karnataka Assembly Election Results 2018, OPPO launched Realme 1 smartphone. Grabbing all the attention with power and style, OPPO Realme 1 looks to be a pretty impressive smartphone.

Even before the launch date, the specs got leaked on Twitter and thus there are higher expectations on it. Moreover, the microsite on Amazon India revealed many key features. With decent specs, OPPO Realme 1 looks to challenge Xiaomi by competing with Redmi Note 5 smartphone. The launch clearly states that the Indian market is heating up with budget smartphones.

OPPO Realme 1 Specifications:

The Realme 1is a 6-inch handset with 2160x1080p LCD display, powered by 3GB/4GB/6GB RAM and Octa-Core Helio P60 chipset. On the optics side, it sports a 13 and 8-megapixel snapper on back and front respectively. In-camera department, the phone looks promising and similar to the premium OPPO F7. Incidentally, there’s no fingerprint sensor but is equipped with facial recognition feature. Lack of fingerprint sensor is a big let-down.

On the battery side, OPPO Realme 1 is powered by 3,410mAh battery. The AI battery management and AI shot for the camera makes it a better performance oriented handset. Moreover, it improves power efficiency.

This dual 4G VoLTE handset runs on Android 8.1 Oreo-based ColorOS 5.0. In short, OPPO Realme 1 stands for Helio P60 chipset, AI processor coupled with 6GB RAM and 3410mAh battery. Unless the user plays for hours, the battery is sufficient enough to last for a day. The rear side design looks astonishing and Helio P60 processor has got positive reviews in line with Qualcomm SD660 processor.

Dual-core AI-specific Chip:

The smartphone is a Made in India product and a new brand meant exclusively for e-commerce channel Amazon India. With the stylish design and dual-core AI-specific chip, OPPO Realme 1 is in direct competition with Xiaomi product line.

And, the 3Realme brand will be completely separate from the OPPO brand.

As per the data revealed by Counterpoint Technology Market Research, China’s Xiaomi is India’s leading smartphone brand with 47% market share in the online segment. In contrast, OPPO is placed in 4th position with 5.6% market share.
Realizing the importance of the online market, OPPO has adopted online channel for its Realme brand before launching it to any other global market.

Strengthening its after-sales service, OPPO has decided to open up another 500 plus service centers across India. The Chief Product Officer, Mr. Levi Lee, Realme, OPPO Electronics also clarified that entire Realme product line will be locally made at OPPO’s factory located in Greater Noida.

Pricing & Launch Offers:

Starting May 25th, the Realme will be open for sale through flash sales model on Amazon India. And the handset will be in Diamond Black, Solar Red, and Moonlight Silver colors. The 3GB RAM/32GB ROM and 6GB RAM/128GB ROM variants are priced at ₹8,990 and ₹13,990 respectively. As a launch offer, there will be a 5% cashback on SBI cards, free case and screen protector, Jio benefits worth ₹4,850 and 80% discount on Kindle ebooks.

Considering the premium value of Helio P60 chipset and the best AI specific camera, OPPO Realme 1 could be a serious challenger to Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 or for that matter, any phone under ₹15,000 price range. Undoubtedly, the best midrange smartphone!

In a new twist, Reliance Jio extended the tariff war to the post-paid segment. Till now, the tariff war is just limited to prepaid services. Expanding it further, Reliance Jio announced all-new Jio Postpaid ₹199 plan. That’s at almost half the price and more data offered by the competitors.

As per the Jio ₹199 plan, the subscriber will get 25GB of data along with unlimited free voice calls including local, STD and roaming. You don’t have any limitation on short message service (SMS) too. Moreover, the plan allows free access to the premium subscription to Jio Apps as well.

After the usage of allotted 25GB, the subscriber will be charged ₹20 per GB. This is undoubtedly the cheapest rate in the market.

Roam Abroad Like Home with Jio ₹199:

The USP of Jio ₹199 plan is its affordable international roaming. By default, the international calling is pre-activated on this post-paid plan. Surprisingly, the ISD (international calling) starts at ₹0.50 per minute to USA and Canada.

The international roaming is offered under two slabs depending on the country the user is visiting. It follows 2-2-2 approach for US, UK, and other listed countries. It means ₹2 per minute, ₹2 per MB, and ₹2 per SMS. Similarly, Reliance Jio adopts 10-10-10 approach for countries like China, Australia, Germany etc. That means, it charges ₹10 per minute, ₹10 per MB, and ₹10 per SMS. It is to be noted that this international roaming tariff is without any pack.

Along with Jio ₹199plan, the telecom operator also revealed 3 international roaming packs where one can enjoy the international roaming benefits without any bill shocks.

For example, the ₹575 roaming pack offers 250MB high-speed data along with unlimited local calls (both to India and in international destinations). In ₹5751 pack, the subscriber gets 5GB high-speed data with a validity of 30 days. Post 5GB usage, the speed will be throttled to 64kbps.

Jio International Roaming Pack	High-Speed Data	Validity
₹575	250MB	1 Day
₹2198	250MB/Day	7 Days
₹5751	5GB	30 Days

How to Apply for Jio Postpaid Plan?

Starting May 15th, the Jio post-paid plan will be active for the subscription. The plan is open to both the new and existing Jio customers. Just visit the nearest Jio store with Aadhaar card or photo, photo-id and address proof documents. Incidentally, the postpaid plan comes with a refundable security deposit of ₹250 plus Jio prime membership fee of ₹99. For the users in Jammu & Kashmir, an advance rental is payable instead of security deposit.

This Zero-Touch ₹199 postpaid plan is pre-activated with combo benefits including international calling facility. The international roaming facility would be activated on request. Moreover, one can get to enjoy No Bill Shocks, mandatory e-bill, and AutoPay service. If you are doubtful then you can also check the bill in real-time.

With international call rates starting at just ₹0.50 per minute, Reliance Jio ₹199 postpaid will surely be a game changer. The postpaid users will surely miss out the data rollover feature that’s provided by Bharti Airtel. Leaving that aside, the new plan is all set to expand tariff war in the post-paid segment.

What’s Your Opinion?

Unlike the incumbent telecom operators’, the Jio ₹199 plan doesn’t have any credit limit. Vodafone Red Basic 399 plan and Airtel ₹399 postpaid plan offers 20GB data with rollover feature. However, at half the price and more data, Reliance Jio 199 is a clear winner. With this, the competition in the telecom sector will keep going north and eventually the prices will be going south.

Though the post-paid segment constitutes less than 5% subscription base but it makes up around 25% of the total revenue. As a result, both Bharti Airtel and Idea Cellular scrips fell up to 6% a day after the Jio’s announcement of low tariff for postpaid subscribers.

Though Tata DOCOMO was acquired by Bharti Airtel, the Tata group company is still in the business and is launching new tariff plans now and then. It is to be noted that the acquisition is subject to regulatory obligations.

Tata DOCOMO ₹ 229 Prepaid Plan:

Tata DOCOMO, the Indian conglomerate Tata Group, has got a new plan ₹229in the prepaid segment. As per this ₹229 plan, the subscriber will get 49GB of data, daily 100 SMS and unlimited voice calling with a validity of 35 days. It seems as if Tata DOCOMO is charging on a higher side, but you’ll be elated when you look at the validity period of 35 days.

The prepaid plan is on par with other telecom networks and is surely attempt from an ailing company. It is for your information that Tata DoCoMo has an intra-circle roaming agreement (ICR) with Bharti Airtel and thus the above plan is valid in all telecom circles where the two operators are under a licensed circle.

As per the Tata DoCoMo ₹229 plan, the subscriber gets 49GB data for a period of 35 days. The data offering will have a daily 1.4GB limit. Similarly, the unlimited voice calling will also have a FUP restriction of daily 250 minutes and no weekly limits. Post the FUP limit; the voice calls will be charged 30 paise per minute. Moreover, the user can send 100 SMS daily to any network.

Regarding roaming, the Tata DoCoMo is also offering free roaming incoming and outgoing calls within Tata network sites. In case of other network sites, the calls will be charged as per the base tariff plan.

Tata DoCoMo is the first private sector telecom operator to roll out 3G services in India.

The Tata DoCoMo has many unlimited plans in its kitty. Some of them are ₹149, ₹179, ₹348, ₹349 and ₹499. Of them, ₹179 prepaid tariff plan is the most popular one. It offers unlimited calls, roaming, SMS and daily 1.4GB data with a validity of28 days. Similarly, the ₹349 prepaid plan offers unlimited calling, SMS, roaming and 1.4GB daily data for 56 days.

Apart from unlimited packs, Tata DoCoMo also offers ₹148 combo pack that offers unlimited calls and 2GB data with 28 days validity. In the wired broadband segment, the ₹1099 plan is quite popular for its 40Mbps speed that offers 200GB download limit. Post FUP, the speed will be throttled to 1 Mbps.

In short, the telecom operator offers attractive plans to suit its wide range of customer base. Unlike Reliance Communications, the Tata DoCoMo is widely accepted for it being loyal to its subscribers.

Tata DOCOMO 3G Prepaid Plans:

Prepaid Recharge	Voice Calls (incl Roaming)	SMS Benefits	3G Data Benefits	Validity Period
₹148	Unlimited Calls	100 SMS/Day	2GB	28 Days
₹179	Unlimited Calls	100 SMS/Day	1.4GB per day	28 Days
₹229	Unlimited Calls	100 SMS/Day	1.4GB per day	35 Days
₹348	Unlimited Calls	100 SMS/Day	6GB data	84 Days
₹349	Unlimited Calls	100 SMS/Day	1.4GB per day	56 Days
₹499	Unlimited Calls	100 SMS/Day	1.4GB per day	90 Days

The Indian state-owned telecom company Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has revised its 949 plan to offer 157GB of data. Terming it as BSNL Maha 949 plan, the state-run operator revised the plan to offer better benefits.

As per the new revised plan, BSNL will offer 157 GB of data, unlimited voice calling, 100 SMS per day for a period of 157 days. Though the BSNL Maha 949 plan has a validity of 365 days the above listed benefits are valid for the first 157 days.

For the remaining period of its validity (158 – 365 days), there is no benefit in the combo pack. All the voice calls will be charged 60 paisa per minute. The SMS charges are 25 paisa and 35 paisa for local and STD respectively. The saddest part of the Maha 949 pack is the absence of data benefit from 158th day.

157 GB Data for 157 Days:

Though the validity is 365 days, the benefits will stay for the first 157 days. Purely, this is a marketing gimmick from the state-run telecom company. It is never expected!

If we go deep in to the details of the BSNL Maha 949 plan, then you will find other interesting things that limit your selection. First, the 157 GB data has a 1GB daily limit. Thereafter, the data speed will be throttled to 40kbps unlimited usage.

Though there is no restriction on voice calling, the roaming is free except in Mumbai and Delhi telecom circles. The voice calls to Delhi and Mumbai telecom circles are charged 60 paisa per minute.

Also Read: BSNL Free Outgoing Roaming Calls with ₹399 and ₹799 Postpaid Plans

As usual, the BSNL Maha 949 Plan is not valid in Assam, North East, and J&K. Ironically; the Public Sector Company has a limited plan for its subscribers in Kerala. When the PAN-India users can make unlimited voice calls, the benefit is restricted to 200 minutes per day in Kerala Telecom Circle.

This is ridiculous! When the entire telecom industry is offering 4G benefits to its customers, the BSNL is restricted to 3G offerings. In a nutshell, the BSNL Maha 949 Plan has nothing to attract when it is compared to its private counterparts.

BBG Combo ULD 1199 Family Plan:

Leaving the Maha 949 Plan aside, BSNL has launched Family Broadband Plan. Under this plan, you get 3 free mobile connections with unlimited free calling and unlimited data on all the 3 SIMs.

In short, you can make unlimited voice calls on any network across India (excluding Delhi and Mumbai telecom circles). The users can enjoy 1GB data per day on all the3 SIMs. Post 1GB usage, the speed will be limited to 40 kbps.

Apart from the combo benefits, the BBG Combo ULD 1199 Family Plan offers free online TV, 1-month free access to online education for any one subject, and free personalized ringback tone.

What’s Your Thought?

Though there are many such plans offered by other telecom operators, BSNL Family Plan seems to be popular due to its rural advantage. The one offered by Bharti Artel - Airtel Family Plan is also attractive. However, all these plans do not have any competitive advantage delivered by the individual plans. Rest, the subscriber has to make the decision.

Also Read: BSNL ₹499 Postpaid Plan - Unlimited Calls, 45GB Data & Daily 100 SMS

The country’s largest FTTH Broadband service provider has come up with an all-exclusive plan for Akshaya e-Kendras of Kerala State IT Mission. Kerala is the only state where BSNL enjoys maximum subscription whether it is wireline or wireless.

₹875 FTTH Broadband Plan:

Under this special plan, BSNL will provide FTTH broadband with a speed of up to 10 Mbps and 120 GB FUP limit. After the FUP limit, the browsing speed would be limited to 2Mbps without any further FUP limit. Moreover, there is no mention of any voice calling benefit with respect to this plan.

Also Read: BSNL Extends Free Sunday Calling Service till April 30, 2018

The Akshaya e-Kendras should opt this plan for a minimum 12 months period. The new plan would cost ₹875 per month plus ₹90 as modem rental charge. That said, the Akshaya e-Kendra has to make an annual payment of ₹9625.

Do remember that this ₹875 FTTH broadband plan is not an open offering in the Kerala Telecom Circle. As the plan is meant for Kerala State IT Mission, the telecom operator would not collect any security deposit for the modem and installation charges are completely waived off.

Kerala - The First e-Literate State in India:

The Kerala government launched this massive wireless infrastructure in November 2002. With an aim of bridging the digital divide and to bring the benefits of ICT to the entire population, the Kerala State Information Technology Mission (KSITM) conceived the Akshaya project.

There are about 42 Akshaya e-Kendras in the communist ideology state. This e-literacy project is highly popular for its public services including e-Pay, e-Krishi, e-Vidya, e-Ticketing etc. In fact, Akshaya Project is one of the world’s largest computer literacy drive.

No doubt, this ₹875 FTTH broadband plan is an affordable plan. However, the state-run telecom operator should give maximum benefits to Akshaya e-Kendras. It would definitely make Kerala the first e-literate state in the entire country.

Also Read: Kerala Govt to Provide 2 Million Free Internet Connections to Poor Families

India’s second-largest telecom network company Vodafone India has rolled out its Super VoLTE services in India’s largest state. Kicking off the roll-out, Vodafone Idea selected the capital city Jaipur and another largest city Jodhpur for expanding its 4G VoLTE services in the north-west of the country.

Probably due to the ongoing tariff war, Vodafone India left its expansion plans. However, it surprised everyone by announcing the 4G VoLTE services in inhospitable Thar Desert area. With 4G VoLTE, the subscribers of Jaipur and Jodhpur will experience HD quality voice calls and super-fast mobile internet.

Vodafone Super VoLTE - A Step Further:

As per the report, the Vodafone India will not charge any extra tariff for the provision of Super VoLTE services. The customers should upgrade their handsets to enjoy the 4G VoLTE facility seamlessly. Henceforth, the subscribers don’t need to worry about the call drops and mobile data.

Launching the Vodafone 4G VoLTE services, Mr Amit Bedi, Business Head – Rajasthan, Vodafone India, said, “Vodafone VoLTE is a step further towards enhancing customer experience and enabling our customers in Rajasthan to explore newer possibilities with their smart devices”.

After its roll-out of 4G VoLTE services in Maharashtra & Goa Telecom circles, Vodafone India is aiming to widen VoLTE coverage throughout the country. For the unaware, the Indian subsidiary of UK-based Vodafone Group has initiated the 4G VoLTE services in 5 telecom circles.

Currently, Vodafone 4G VoLTE services are active in Delhi & NCR, Gujarat, Maharashtra (Pune, Nasik, Nagpur, Vasai, and Goa), Mumbai, and Rajasthan (Jaipur & Jodhpur) telecom circles.

What’s Next for Vodafone India?

Incidentally, Vodafone India is the first GSM operator to launch 4G VoLTE services in the state of Rajasthan. No doubt, the ambitious plans of the company has to be appreciated. However, India’s second-largest telecom company is limiting the VoLTE services to certain cities in the telecom circle instead of expanding the length and breadth of the telecom circle.

For example, one can find Vodafone 4G VoLTE services in select parts of Mumbai, Pune and Goa. Moreover, the telecom giant should add more VoLTE supported handsets to its list. Unless the good coverage and a good number of handsets are there, one can’t take advantage of its investment. The telecom operator should consider and make it happen at least in a phased manner.

Super VoLTE Compatible Handsets:

At the time of writing this post, Vodafone Super VoLTE compatible handsets are very limited in number. Of them, One Plus (Oneplus 3, Oneplus 3T, Oneplus 5, Oneplus 5T), Huawei (Honor View 10, 9i, 7X, 8 Pro, Honor 6X, Honor 9 Lite), Xiaomi (Redmi 4, Mi Mix 2, Mi Max 2), Nokia (Nokia 5 and Nokia 8), and Samsung (Samsung C9 Pro, Samsung J7 Nxt).

One Plus — Oneplus 3, Oneplus 3T, Oneplus 5, Oneplus 5T

Huawei — Honor View 10, 9i, 7X, 8 Pro, Honor 6X, Honor 9 Lite

Xiaomi — Redmi 4, Mi Mix 2, Mi Max 2

Nokia — Nokia 5 and Nokia 8

Samsung — Samsung C9 Pro, Samsung J7 Nxt

Also Read: Vodafone Launches ₹549 and ₹799 Combo Plans to Attract High Data Users