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Garuda Mobile Operator Reviews

Mumbai India
Technological revolution, thats Garuda!
Jul 21, 2002 07:09 PM

Its' Almost a year now after the launch of ''Garuda!'' and I can say it as a ''Successful launch'', But Garuda in some sense needs something and that is Quality and Quantity. Offcourse garuda gave us very reasonable service and it is tying its best to keep up.


With an investment of above Rs.150 Crore. it still lacks something and that is Quality as I said, Garuda is still not working in most of the areas (Ghatkopar, New Mumbai etc.)


Garuda works on a technology known as CDMA WLL (Code Division Multiple access, Wireless local loop). This technology is not new it is been used from decades around 1960's in secret military operation in the US and other such nations. Then it became more famous and cheap, hence advanced countries launched services like Garuda in their countries (UK, US, Canada etc.)


Those who want to subscribe garuda services they can, the receiver which garuda gives (worth 5000/-) is not that worth, you should look for other handsets like the LG (Rs.6000/-) and Samsung (Rs.3000/-) once. they are easily available in the market.


Recently Bharti and Reliance is also going to launch their CDMA services so even if you have CDMA handset then you are not in loss, you just have to change the program inside it to make it work for other providers.


Till then enjoy using Garuda which is very cheap as landline with incomming free and outgoing for as cheap as 1.20 per call (3 mins) and at a monthly subscription of Rs.250/-. But still you cannot say it as poor man's mobile.


Hope you like my review.


Official site: https://mtnl.com


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Economical but the service aint even worth that
Jul 21, 2002 04:34 PM

The rentals maybe slashed or the rates maybe as low as normal landline but the fact remains that the quality of service isnt even worth that low price. Well if you are thinking of buying one then think about ten times. Its fine if the area that u are going be in for most of the times that you may require a cell, that area or areas have good coverage but if ur thinking of going to some place like Mira Road or Dahisar and expect a good and clear reception, be ready to be surprised and disappointed.


I would say better technical support and more coverage area would be a better attraction than slashin down of rentals. So if you come to know that MTNL has suddenly decided to improve its technical support and set up more stations for Garuda, then try the service but be cautious after all MTNL = Mera Telephone Nahi Lagta.


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Boon for we Middle Class People...
Jul 18, 2002 04:29 PM

GoodBye BPL and Orange, here comes the great Garuda for we people , superior coverage ,amazing clarity , affordable and very congenial.MTNL should get an applause for bring a change in the mobile world , making so affordable for those who can't afford but dream to have a cellular phone. It's very cheap all we need is a unique mobile device which costs around Rs.5000-7000 , register ourselves ,once we do that , our incoming calls are free, so we can chat lots with our family/friends even when we are not at home and the outgoing is very cheap as compared to the competitors and we just have to pay Rs.250 as rent.One Unique feature is that its got only 7 numbers , my uncle is a proud user of this service an i'm going to get my garuda soon.


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Hermitage India
EMPTY Promises FULL Pockets
May 01, 2002 04:08 AM

Garuda mobile caught many an eye when it was advertised by MTNL along with the launch of TRUMP and bookings were invited and a deposit asked for.


In today's hectic world many of us fail to read the fine print, in this case it said ''Instruments to be provided by MTNL''. I failed to read that you could also buy your own specific model off the market.


I too booked one as it seemed economical enough being mobile and paying PSTN (Land line charges) but after it arrived I am yet to get mine as ''MTNL'' is short of Instruments?


People who opted to buy their own are happy enough with the service but typically like any other MTNL service (web ISP etc,) it is often down or the network is busy.


So in case you are opting for this service make sure you buy your own instruments. Maybe then you can enjoy the gift of being mobile on land line costs.


The Trump Service too is similiar but recommended for people who alternate between Delhi and Mumbai as it is charged as a LOCAL CALL and no roaming charges are added.


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Garuda Vs Dolphin
Apr 19, 2002 01:48 PM

I find many people who don’t know the difference between Garuda and Dolphin. How can there be different charges for similar mobile service is the question doing the rounds? There are a couple of queries to this effect by Smartgirl and Soniya on MS.


Let me try to explain. But this is going to be a bit technical a session. First, I am going to drop a bombshell. Are you all ready for this? Okay here it comes… Take it… Garuda is strictly not a cellular service. It is a landline service (though effectively can be used as a limited mobile service). Don’t believe me? Wait, hear me out.


India’s teledensity at 2-3% is one of the lowest in the world. The reason touted is that connecting rural and interior areas through wires is very expensive. Infact connecting people through wireline is more expensive than wireless. Don’t rack your brains, there are figures to prove that. That was the reason for the poor response when the basic telephone sector was opened up in 1994. Hence basic telephone operators have been requesting the government to give them right to connect also through wireless.


The mobile service licence for various circles when the sector was opened up for private players in 1995 were issued based on competitive bidding. As many companies bid ridiculously high amounts (like HFCL), the services were also provided at high charges. At that time only two operators were allowed to operate in one circle. Subsequently on a revenue sharing regime, the charges have been steadily coming down.


Then came National Telecom Policy 1999 (called NTP 99) with the basic objective of increasing India’s teledensity. It allowed basic operators wireless access using CDMA technology or better known as WLL or WiLL (Wireless in Local Loop). The TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, who frames the law relating to telecom in India) consultation paper on the topic reads as follows: “Cost effective last mile connectivity i.e. connection between Exchange and Customer’s Premises Equipment (CPE) is a critical and often the most difficult part of the Telecom Network roll out. This provides customer accessibility and, therefore, the growth of telecommunication network is affected significantly by the cost and quality of last mile connectivity as well as the ease and speed with which it can be provided. In India local loop has thus far been provided mostly by laying underground cables or by construction of overhead alignment. The laying of underground cable especially in congested areas is both cumbersome and time consuming. This has, therefore, come in the way of quick roll out of Telecom Networks and contributed to delay in achievement of the teledensity targets. This problem has been taken note of in NTP, 1999, and in order to obviate the necessity of laying underground copper cables in congested areas, the Basic Service License issued by Department of Telecommunications (DOT) stipulates Wireless In Local Loop (WLL) as the preferred method for providing Basic Service.”


NTP 99 also proposed multiple cellular operators in each circle to increase competition. MTNL (in Mumbai and Delhi) and BSNL (in all other circles) were given rights to operate as the third operator. The Government also bid for fourth cellular operator in all circles last year. And Dolphin is the cellular services of MTNL.


Then the Government called applicants for basic telephone services with a fixed licence fee (no bidding) but with unlimited number of operators for every circle. Hence the charges of fixed service providers are lower though the costs apart from the licence fee are higher.


There are numerous wireless technologies for providing wireless access. One of them is GSM (Global System of Mobile Communication) and another is CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access). There are newer technologies coming up like Bluetooth, etc. The existing mobile operators use GSM technology. The basic service operators have been given the right to use CDMA.


However, cellular operators opposed the usage of CDMA by basic operators. First they took the matter to TDSAT and then to Supreme Court, but did not get a favourable ruling from both.


To carve out a difference between cellular and basic services, Government has imposed a lot of restrictions on basic service operators. Otherwise all the cellular service providers having paid licence fee and invested in GSM technology would go out of business for the Government’s fault of not anticipating a newer technology. But the counter for that is newer technologies is a natural phenomena and people offering services under old technologies has to go out of business unless they upgrade.


The restrictions imposed by Government on CDMA are that it can be provided only within a SDCA (short distance charging area). That is why Garuda is available in Mumbai and Thane only but not in Navi Mumbai or beyond Borivali. WLL also cannot offer additional features like, CLIP, roaming, SMS, net access, etc. Its not because CDMA does not support it. Infact CDMA is a better technology than GSM. But since the government wants to maintain a distinction between cellular and basic, these restrictions are applied. However, the basic operators have approached Supreme Court for letting them also offer such services like SMS, CLIP, net access, etc (except roaming) and it is expected that they will be allowed to offer these additional services as well.


The only drawback of CDMA service is the cost of the handset. The handsets will be heavier and costlier. Under GSM, voice is transmitted as such, however under CDMA, the voice is converted into digital codes and transmitted and decoded at the handset. Hence the better quality of voice in CDMA and since it also has a decoder in the handset, the costlier handset. That is where the Korean players like Samsung and LG enters the price sensitive Indian market with CDMA handsets.


There are handsets in the US and Europe which support both GSM and CDMA. These handsets are expected to come to India shortly. So one can have both cellular and basic connections and when travelling use the cellular service with the roaming facility and otherwise use the basic connection by interchanging the SIM cards.


MTNL wanted to offer the service before the private players entered the market as it was an attractive service for somebody wanting just a basic mobile service without roaming. Hence they accepted bookings even before the infrastructure was set up. And they could not meet the deadlines promised to the people. However they have definitely succeeded in getting atleast a big portion of the market before private players also start offering the same.


Garuda is the basic telephone service of MTNL under their basic telephone licence using CDMA technology and Dolphin is their cellular service under their cellular licence using GSM technology.


If all of you have read this far and understood what I have conveyed within the character limitations of 8000, you have very high degree of concentration and comprehension. Please feel free to m2m me for any further info on this.


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Garuda- fly high!!
Feb 23, 2002 12:34 PM

Yesterday I just happened to go through the one and only one review on Garuda Mobile and realised that not many are aware of one of the best things MTNL could give us. Its been about a month now since I have the Garuda cell, so I shall give all the vital information and some basic features which may help you to decide better.


REGISTRATION:


Let me begin with Registration process as I noticed the query too.Registration is a fairly simple. All you would need is the Garuda application form from any of the selected 12-15 QCS (Quick Customer Service) centers of MTNL. (Details of the center nearest to you can be sought from the local helpline of MTNL). The completed form along with a Demand Draft of Rs.5,000/- is to be submitted. (The amount is for the handset). Ideally, you should get your cell working within 15-20 days.


CHARGES:


Monthly Rent: Rs.250


(One year rent to be paid with the first bill)


Incoming: Free!!! :)


Outgoing: Rs.1.20 ps per 3 mins


NETWORK:


Good, but only for Mumbai and Thane.


HANDSET:


Again, a good gold color piece from Hyundai. (You could get your own handset too.)


The handset has the regular menu:


1) Display (Greeting, Time show, Backlight (green), Contrast)


2) Recv. Ring (Type, Volume, Auto answer)


3) System


4) Timer (Call time, Air time, Roam time)


5) Alert (Time/Area alert)


6) Special (My Melody, Stop watch, World time)


7) Security (Lock code)


MEM button: Directory, Alarm call, Calculator.


The handset comes with a standing charger with good battery life.


PROS:


1) The Garuda mobile number is a 7-digit number (easy to remember!) just like your local numbers.


2) Almost as cheap as your land line.


3) Dual-use....use it at home as your land line or as a cell phone.


4) Good Network


CONS:


1) No SMS....but, the good news is- it is under consideration!


(The handset has a Msg button too)


2) No CLID (Caller ID) like the regular mobile phones


(Remember, Incoming is free! :) ...Do u still need the CLID?)


Well, I covered as many points as I could...if someone still feels something is missing ...or needs clarification...do feel free to write-in. Till then, Bye!


NOTE:(26th Feb)


Todays Bombay Times carries a news article regarding delays by MTNL (Garuda) due to the spurge in demand. So, it may take a little longer to get your Garuda mobile working. But, first come...first serve!


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Mumbai India
CHEAP AS A PENNY!!
Feb 22, 2002 07:41 PM

Garuda from MTNL is a great innovation. It is soooo cheap. AND ITS MOBILE. MTNL has done a great job, and believe me they have also done their homework well. Their service is also good. The network coverage is much much better than expected. ABOVE THAT they hav cheap prices. WHAT ELSE DO U WANT!!!.


The current mobile providers charge an exhorbitant 1.90 per 1 min outgoing and incoming, where as GARUDA gives the customer a privilage of JUST 1.20 for 3 mins and <u> INCOMING FREE</u>. Isnt that GREAT!!!!


Everyone thought that it would be a POOR service from MTNL but it has shut all mouths.


Brilliant MTNL


BRAVO!!!


(P.S. If u stil havent registered, its still OPEN!!!! so go as soon as possible!!!!)


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Recent Questions and Answers on Garuda Mobile Operator

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TVS CENTRA

Apr 24, 2004

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GARUDA DELHI service .Can any one tell me service of garuda in delhi ?

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Aug 10, 2002

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heard that the monthly rental has been slashed to Rs 250/- But How is their services?

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