1. What is Airtel HSPA?
Airtel HSPA is using 3.5G technology to provide wireless broadband to your machine. Its very useful when you’re on a move.
2. Can I get one?
Yes. But make sure you’ve got 3.5G (HSPA) coverage in your area atleast 3G coverage in your area.
3. How much per month?
1500 LKR per month before tax, and you need to pay 500 LKR as activation fee. With dialog you need to pay around 2000LKR as deposit.
4. How much the USB modem / Dongle costs?
Modem costs 9,000LKR – 10,000 LKR. With dialog you can sign a 6 months contract and buy the same modem for just 5500LKR.
5. What about download limit and FUP?
No download limit in Airtel unlimited package and no fair user policy, therefore you can download as much as you want.
6. Better than Dialog?
mmm… that’s a million dollar question 😉 If Airtel can give wide coverage than Dialog then it’ll become a better choice. Also note that Airtel HSPA downlink is working at 800 Kbps even though promised speed is 3.8Mbps.
As far as I hear from my friends new Dialog customers also are getting the speed around 800Kbps.
7. Airtel HSPA is cheaper than Dialog HSPA?
It seems Airtel HSPA is cheaper because unlimited package of Airtel is 1500 while Dialog unlimited package with FUP and download limit is 3000 LKR. Now you decide 🙂
8. Are you gonna change from Dialog to Airtel?
For the time being NO, because I have 6 months contract with Dialog and I’m getting around 2.0 Mbps speed with my Dialog HSPA connection.
If the Dialog continue to keep the Fair User Policy (FUP) and download limit then probably I’ll think of switching to Airtel HSPA
New question added as per request from readers
9. Can I use 3G mobile as my modem?
Yes, you can use 3G Mobile as your modem. You need to connect your mobile with your computer using data cable.
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Chanuka Wattegama says
Mayu,
Cost is only one factor. There are others like quality, coverage and service. One should not decide which one’s best without having a good understanding of all above.
Also it is necessary to let a network grow. There is no point comparing a new network with another that has been there for sometime.
Maniy says
does any of these provide prepaid temporary SIM service? I mean to get a cellphone number, say, just for a month.
Mayooresan says
@Chanuka
I agree with you. But beyond cost FUP and quality of service also matters as you said.
When it comes to customer, he can’t think and give some time for new comer to gain some coverage. In customer’s point of view, Quality and cost matters, therefor new comers should also bring their standard up to existing networks.
@Maniy
All the providers provide SIM, but not temporary one. If you wanna stay in sri Lanka for a short period of time, then go for a pre paid SIM. Once you leave the country, trash it or disconnect it. It won’t cost you much.
PS: To get a SIM you should have NIC or Passport.
meaningful says
grate post. dialog’s package is inferior to airtel’s… at least for me. the FUP is a disaster. gonna give airtel a try.
Me says
I’ve used Dialog HSDPA for the last 4 months and all I have are complaints.
It seems that if you don’t pay the bill in time, the speed decreases. And if you don’t pay the last months bill before the next billing cycle then they’ll disconnect you.
The speeds are crap. 800Kbps, when they guarantee 7.2Mbps is purely ridiculous.
Let’s say all this is ok. But 5GB per month! @#$@#$ If Airtel is offering unlimited downloads, then I’m definitely switching.
Mayooresan says
@Me
Believe me, Even I have, had complaints. I think Dialog must come down and remove the FUP and download limit. Otherwise it’s inevitable that most of the existing customers will switch network, Including Mayu
sanjan says
@ chanuka wattegama
what is the quality of dialog hsdpa you talk about? it s really terrible to say the least. no one can become more bad surely!
upajeewa ruwan says
Dialog provide E220 modem for 5500 with 6 month contract but it works with only dialog connections
I tried with mobitel connection and modem reject sim.i think mobitel also lock their modem.so how can switch to airtel with dialog modem.
Mayooresan says
@Upajeewa
You need to unlock the modem. Otherwise you can’t use it with other operators.
Do a google search for “unlocking E220” and you’ll get enough resources.
Good luck for your unlocking journey 🙂
upajeewa ruwan says
I tried to unlock my E220 modem for 2 days. unfortunately unable to do anybody know how to unlock for free.
chamara says
how to unlock DAILOG HSPA Modem?
Mayooresan says
@Chamara
Check SeeJay.Net’s Unlock Tutorial
MCK says
Airtel HSDPA is not good as I thought! I switched to airtel because of poor indoor 3.5G coverage and FUP shit. But the quality of the service is really poor even below dialog. I couldn’t even get my virus guard updated yesterday night when I was connected to HSDPA network! Even with well recognized download manager software like IDM or FDM the maximum rate rarely exceeds 300Kbps! It is extremely rare to be able to watch a youtube video without frequent buffering. Often it takes more than 5 minutes to load the defence ministry web page! Most of the times it’s performance is very much similar to a dial-up connection. I made several complains but instead of improvment it is further deteriorating day by day. This is not only in my area, but when I tested it yesterday at Borella, where 100% HSDPA signals available, the situation was worse! So it seems that their 3.5G network really sucks. So if you are going to buy Airtel please think twice. Lend an airtel HSDPA connection sim from someone and test it in your area. Buy it only you can satisfy with it’s performance.
rana says
hi guys dis is my last day as a dialog broadbander..tmrw..my 6 month sentence ends..and i am a free man..a frnd of mine unlocked ma modem..so its airtell frm nw on..hey t seems dat u need 3 softwares to unlock da e220..gud luck guys
upajeewa ruwan says
Dialog hsdpa have a static ip (they switch ip in public ip pool but sites identify only 1 ip 125.214.164.4) so we cant download from RapidShare site and many site not allowed for dialog.
Mobitel hsdpa has dynamic ip. eny one knows airtel has static ip or dynamic ip
upajeewa ruwan says
you can check your ip in http://www.whatismyip.com
check from that and and disconect connection and reconnect and check ip again
if ip same =static ip
if ip change =dynamic ip
upajeewaruwan says
???? no post about Airtel IP
upajeewa ruwan says
my six moth contract over so I need switch to other
Mango~Boy:P says
one of my frnd sed that airtel is good..
shafras says
I totally agree with MCK. plssssssssssssssssssss do not buy Airtel it sucks.
Mayooresan says
@shafras
Can feel your pain, Why don’t you try another SIM. I mean Dialog or Mobitel to check whether the problem existing with your dongle or with the provider.
subash says
my airtel sim card is not reading by any mobile phone, i am not understand what is the problem with sim
please give solution
Mayooresan says
@Subash
hey check whether your SIM card is active. or bring your card to the nearest customer care center. They’ll be able to help you.
Amila says
I use an airtel connection. The speed changes so often. Sometimes it is around 1.7Mbps, and most of the time is around 380kbps.
chamal says
Hey PPL,
now there is a FUP for Airtel as well 10gb any how i just found a way to get rid of the FUP on all connections (Dialog,Airtel,Mobitel) just a matter of 2 mins… mail me if you want Details and by the way not for freeeeeeeee ([email protected]) and ps check this site need free internet tv cbs,fox,sky etc mail me applications is with me 100% working with any broadband connection why pay 4 cable tv when you can watch it online for free………..