so Carol did you take your own laptop out, I am highly confused by all this BSNI etc despite being computer literate!! do you get the phone line first?? could you explain it all for me, sorry to be so thick!! but I need to do this as soon as i get there next week, we have PIO status, will this make it easier??
Chilly

is the BSNI the ISP or what?? and why did you Rob get qouted so much more??? Chilly

Hi Chilly,

Yes, I brought my laptop with me. BSNL is the telephone company here. Like Telecom in Ireland, I don't know the british equivilent. They are partly private and partly government owned. I think Rob was quoted the price of a phone connection and maybe the broadband connection.

So, my process was to get a phone connection for the net and also to phone home. Then I got the Broadband when it came out recently. There are stories about it being hard to get a phone line but I did'nt find that at all. If you have a connection near to you it is most of the battle. Like a neighbour or business.

That a bit clearer?

cheers

Carol

Thank you so much Carol, totally clear now!! Is it poss to apply from UK online for the phone line do you know as then I could get the ball rolling now!!
Chilly

Rob, the bsnl broadband speed is 258 or thereabouts, my mistake ahem (12mbp) or so I am told here.

Chilly,

I am told that you can't apply online chilly. As regards the cost of the phone apparently if you are Indian or have residency here the cost is 1500. If you don't the cost is 3500. And the router thing is 1500. So there you go. Worth every penny to me...........so quick hehe..........sooooooooooooo quick..............

cheers

Carol

Carol... si there any chance of meetin up and showing me your broadband so I can see how truely wonderful it is? How much is it per month? - Is it unlimited or is it capped by so many downloads a month?

Are you Indian in appearence (or whoever applied for the connection) as if you're slight foreign looking they add an extra 'wedge' for the right to have it...

Hi Rob,

You are allowed 1GB downloading per month.

Show you my broadband?

I'm freckly Irish Rob, my partner is Indian. As I said in the last post the cost is different if you have residency or not. I don't think they load it according to your skin colour in this particular instance. All is written down and receipted. When you have all your paperwork done then a little goes a long way with the lineman. He makes the final connection for you and can delay or get it done quickly. All part of the system here of course.

Do give me a ring if you want to have a look at it.

Cheers

Carol

Chily,
BSNL is the nation wide telecom co. Dataone is their broadband service...
it's adsl on the existing copper cable of the BSNL phone line.

http://www.bsnl.co.in/service/dataone_tariff.htm

The Rs. 500 plan has night unlimited too from (0200-0800 Hrs)

Maybe it was the Discounted Annual Payment Option to Customers (Rs)
5000 Poipleshadow was told about. I dunno... can't be skin tax taken officially by the Govt.

http://www.bsnl.co.in/service/dataoneform.php is the registeration form but you need a phone first
http://www.bsnl.co.in/service/permanent.htm .. pity cause Installation charges of Rs. 250 are waived off for all new broadband customers between 16th August 2005 and 30th September 2005.

You could purchase the modem or rent it from them.
DAK

is the BSNI the ISP or what?? and why did you Rob get qouted so much more??? Chilly

Carol, I do have residency, and of course I have the charity which is an Indian entity, but they still wanted a larger deposit off me because I was a 'tourist'. This was probably around Christmas time when I was looking around... (just for a standard connection to start with)

1GB... doesn't sound too much that's only 34Mb a day.... With Email, updating the website and browsing that quickly adds up even with my 'narrowband' connection. I probably need 5 times that due to the amount of time I'm on the net. - Just had a look at the prices and it might be possible... I'll investigate further...

1 question, it's a cabel based connection rather than an aerial connection - yes?

Hi Rob,

A cable connection it is. Good luck with the search.

cheers

Carol

Hi Carol,I'm coming out for the later half of the season and am bringing my laptop.How long do you think it would take me to get up and running?My apartment is a new build and is supposed to wired for a phone when I take possesion.
Cheers
Tony.

There was nothing even vaguely approaching b'band anywhere out side Panjim and the place in Panjim I can't vouch for as I could never get a go as it was mobbed! Internet like many htings in India takes its own sweet time!!!!

Hi Tony,

I can't say how long it would take for you but I will tell you the procedure of the application. Mine took 4 days. I know one person who is still waiting after a year.

There are three offices involved.

You apply in Mapusa. They are the paper people and they have to approve your application for the next step. They expect no 'tips'. You must keep on them. Go up to three times a day......ask to speak to the regional officer. Be serious and enquiry minded. Have nothing else much to do for a while except visit the office and enquire on the progress of your application. They are doing it but sometimes won't see you if they are having tea or gone out of the office or having a chat. Be patient. Go and come back. Stay on their back. Do bits of shopping, have a pint, get your hair done and go back over and over. If you get angry the application can get lost or torn or something like that or it can get processed. But it will anyway.

When approved they will send the application to the Calangute branch office.
They have the lineman and wire people who will connect you to the system. keep on them. Check that they got the approved application when the Mapusa office says they have sent it. Ask the lineman when he is coming out. If you have a pole near you that just leaves a wire to be run from that to your window. Easy peasy. You are expected to 'tip' the lineman. (r.50) You will probably get to know the lineman over time as he will fix your wire if a you have a storm, someone cuts it, tree falls on it, it just falls apart (faulty). All have happened to me. If he knows he will get a tip he is out quick and life is lovely.

You will get a call from the Panjim office. They are the techies. They will talk to you about your password and username stuff.

This is about getting a phone line. The broadband is for another day eh?

Chilly. this is the procedure I talked about earlier. I hope it is clear. Best of luck to you both.

Cheers

Carol

Carol that was just brilliant!!! Thanks a lot, it all helps doesnt it when someone else has 'trodden the path' so to speak, and you know the ropes re tips etc!! next installment (Broadband!!) would be great before I leave ?! no pressure!! if poss!
Chilly

Lots of ideas here ... My connection is Tata Indicom, 128kbps wireless dialup connection. Download speeds are around 15 Kbps. Serves my purpose, though not very fast as compared to broadband, is the best option in Calangute. No downtimes, I pay 1500/- Rs a month, unlimted usage, no download restrictions whatsoever. They give me a 20% discount on my bill cause it crosses Rs 1500/- so all in all its good value for money. I connect it to my laptop, take it down to Alex bar in calangute for a drink and browse the net. Simply frees me from any cables and any rules
A British friend of mine with a residence permit got a line and they did not charge her any extra. No Skin tax !

Hi all,

I just got my first phone bill with the broadband. It was 300 rupees. That is an amazing price as I use it all the time for work and stuff.

Cheers

Carol

Hi Carol
I went to arrange my BSNI phone connection and all was good but they told me they have no broadband in candolim till next mth (which of course could be next year this being Goa!!!) whereabouts are you living??
Chilly

Hi chilly,

I'm in Calangute. What a pity but maybe it will be soon. They seem to be forging ahead with their service according to all I hear. Fingers crossed.

cheers

Carol

yes fingers crossed, thank goodness for internet cafes meanwhile!!
Chilly