Cheapest Internet Device - Free Internet via TATA CDMA phones ??
TATA indicom is a major CDMA operator of India offering really cheap handset along with their connection allowing people to become mobile.
One of the cheapest handset or mobile instrument they provide is Haier C2010 which retails at Rs. 700/- without any connection charge. Where as one may obtain one year of connection with Rs. 149. So handset + connection makes it Rs. 850/-, properbly the cheapest one available.
While playing with the handset I find the back port is very similar to USB (male) Mini-B Type. The one which I have in one of my external USB card readers and can be found in advance models such as Nokia 5200.
Just for curiosity of mine to play with hardwares, I thought, hmm.. Lets give the data connectivity of the handset (Haier C2010) a try. Officially the mobile DO NOT have any data services. Neither TATA web site nor the mobile handset manual have any information on the handsets data connectivity capabilities.
TATA as a service provider also doesnt have any tariff of DATA uses via this mobile.
How ever the biggest issue is, there any no driver available for this handset anywhere, neither any official data cable. So though odds are against any fruitful results but still I thought giving it a try.
Plugging in the device in PC / Notebook USB, immediately starts charging it, and Windows through up the new devices found dialog box.
Please remember, I didn’t have any standalone source of drivers with me for this handset, hence I connected my Broadband connection (ADSL BSNL) and asked windows to search for the device driver in Microsoft Windows hardware database by selecting the 1st option saying “Yes, this time only”.
Though it took a while for Windows to search for a driver but eventually after 3-4 mins or so, it did find a matching driver for the device and installed “BenQ USB Modem 3197″.
I knew from my previous experience with TATA, that their CDMA DATA enabled handsets dial #777 via the CDMA modem to get connected to the internet. Therefore, I created a new dial up connection via network connection setup of Windows XP and selected the available device “BenQ USB Modem 3197″ as the modem
I disconnected my ADSL connection, and used user ID Internet / password Internet to dial this new TATA connection via the BenQ USB modem 3197 and to my surprise, it did authenticate and got connected !!!!
But how’s the speed ??
That part is some what disappointing. I have tried DAP to test download speeds and its around about 3 or 3.5 kilo bytes / second meaning around 30 kbps of connection speed.
Certainly not good enough at this broadband edge however web surfing isnt performing that bad.. It feels the same as browsing via any GPRS connection which doesnt have EDGE support.
So overall the speed testing is any thing apart from success..
Hey How much is it costing ?
The Best thing about this testing is the pricing, as I already have written officially the mobile doesnt support any data connectivity hence no tariff plan for internet uses can be found.
Hence even after downloading few quite a few MBs and few hours of surfing I see the prepaid account is not been charged a single penny !!!
Out Come !!!
Certainly this is not a device which you should purchase for your internet need but those who already own it, do give this a try !! As you never know, TATA may have better network in your place and you may get better speeds and even if it doesnt, with present speed, though no downloading but it would offer you option for mobile surfing at free of cost with your notebook.
So folks do give this a try and let me know your own results.
P.S. There is no support for Windows Vista at-least !! This works with Windows XP x86 only as Vista x64 / x86 fails to find any matching driver in its update services.
Gaurish aka Gary4gar said
am July 7 2008 @ 7:06 pm
You are a perfect Indian!
using services without paying the price
lol, just joking.
Saj said
am July 9 2008 @ 3:10 pm
Can you please let me know do you know how to have free internet in Huawei ETS2059 CDMA.??
Thanks
saj
Punnyabrata said
am July 12 2008 @ 4:13 am
good one bro…this is wat people mean by hit and try….ha ha and it has worked in this case…
Choto Cheeta said
am July 12 2008 @ 5:14 pm
In the interest to let my blog readers know, I made couple of calls to TATA customer care and asked them how much I was in need to pay to access internet,
They have said, “Sir, your handset doesn’t support Internet so please upgrade to any device which supports internet.”
So you cant say I have hit and ran. I have tried to pay them back but they keep replying that handset doesnt support internet and i need to upgrade to a plan which supports internet !!!
MetalheadGautham said
am July 13 2008 @ 8:51 am
Wow, even TATA INDICOM
MetalheadGautham said
am July 13 2008 @ 8:54 am
Wow, even TATA INDICOM is not aware of this phone’s internet connectivity feature ? Now I am genuinely intrested.
I have been looking for a small sub 1K phone, and was thinking of another phone utsav recommended, but this one looks better.
What is the tariff for this phone ? STD, Landline, etc charges ?
And how good is this speed for basic browsing ? What about chatting in IRC ?
Bala said
am July 21 2008 @ 2:49 pm
I appreciate the good info with clear images.
I don’t have a card reader and what is the purpose here? Can I connect Mobile directly to the computer’s USB port using USB data cable?
I already have broadband connection. The reason I’m interested because my landline goes dead frequently because of rain, digging, line noice, etc. During such times I would like to use my mobile internet as backup.
Any info would be appreciated
Choto Cheeta said
am July 21 2008 @ 4:21 pm
Hello Mr. BALA,
The main need of the card reader is to obtain the USB mini Type-B connector cable which usually comes with card / chip readers… So if you already have an mini Type-B male connector then you are in no need to obtain a card reader for this purpose !!!
I guess I have mentioned the reason for a card reader here with the main article also !!!
Thank you,
Sasi said
am July 27 2008 @ 7:39 am
Dear Sir,
Could you explain me that i want to assemble pc for my personal home use and please correct if any add configuration.
Cpu :Intel core 2 :2.4 Ghz
Mother Board:Giyabyte 945 chipset
Ram:2 GB DDR 2
Hard Dish:250 GB
DVD Combo:20 x LG
All in one Card Reader
56 k Internal Modem
1.4 Floppy Diskette Drive
USB Port
Could you please reply me this configuration better or advise me to configure better your choice.
Thanking you
Sasi
Saudi Arabia
Prabhanjan said
am July 27 2008 @ 1:25 pm
Good Job… I’m going to try this with mine…
vishal said
am August 14 2008 @ 12:24 pm
i can’t got that drivers can u plz send me by email
carl said
am August 14 2008 @ 12:36 pm
I need a device tha can get free or lowcost internet worldwide please advise thanks orland345@juno.com carl
Sasi said
am August 16 2008 @ 7:02 am
Hi I have installed internal card reader but how can be workout Tata Haier C2010.How can fix cable from mobile to card reader.
Explain me,i am going to buy one now for my house personal internet use.
Thanks
Sasi
shantanu joshi said
am August 16 2008 @ 8:36 am
sir get me the rate on the vayer
Jaikey said
am August 17 2008 @ 3:57 pm
Please send me driver
jutin said
am August 25 2008 @ 12:19 pm
Please send me the driver of haier C2010 at my email i would be thankfull to you .
shital said
am September 3 2008 @ 1:39 pm
i’m very thankfull if i get driver of Benq 3197 usb modem. my mail ID is shital_23@rediffmail.com
mukesh said
am September 5 2008 @ 5:35 am
it,s really osam yar i m surprised. i have same phone but i have motorola l6i datacable and its usb ports are same and when i connect my phone via datacable then it show that no software found what i do..?
is that possible if i donload benq 3197 sotware to connect the internet
plz reply……………..
i m waiting……..
senthil said
am September 11 2008 @ 1:50 pm
That was a cool stuff you have done.
sandeep said
am September 13 2008 @ 3:33 pm
m having virgin mobile haier handset i need haier driver could any one help me out???????
dhiren said
am September 16 2008 @ 7:29 am
all bluff , for selling trick of mobile
Swamy said
am October 26 2008 @ 8:44 am
Dear pal
u did wonderful job…
let me also try that…
tell me what r the user name & password
thanking u
Choto Cheeta said
am October 26 2008 @ 8:31 pm
Hi,
User name and password, both are suppose to be internet
Thanks,