BSNL GPRS and GMail for Mobile

Yesterday night I had a different experience with BSNL GPRS. I tried to access GMail with my Nokia 3100 using BSNL GPRS. I was initially getting connection errors. Finally I could open my GMail account but the access was slow enough to test one’s patience.

At the same time, I decided to check out the performance of BSNL GPRS on a Nokia 6680. Google’s mobile Java application gmail.com/app was installed on it. GMail access was cool on this Nokia 6680 with BSNL GPRS and gmail.com/app. I did not see any of the usual glitches (connection errors etc.) which I see with my Nokia 3100.

BSNL Mobile (CellOne/Excel Power) Network Coverage – Karnataka

Few years back I had a Hutch connection. One my way to Irpu from Bangalore, wherever Hutch was missing, I generally saw BSNL Mobile signal available. I was pretty convinced with BSNL Mobile’s Karnataka coverage and decided to switch to BSNL Mobile though it is less glamarous than Hutch.

Henceforth, whenever I went out of Bangalore for a short trip I used to be pretty confident of remaining connected within Karnataka. But I was quite surprised during my visit to Georgia Sunshine Village and Shivanasamudram during November, 2006. Somewhere near Malavalli and Shimshapura Road I got disconnected from BSNL Mobile. There was no signal. This state continued in along Shimshapura Road, Gerogia Sunshine Village. Even Shivanasamudram is not covered by BSNL Mobile. My initial guess was that maybe there was some temporary problem with BSNL Mobile. I was wrong. I was told at Georgia Sunshine Village that BSNL has no CellOne (mobile) towers nearby. Only Airtel works.

I later called up BSNL Mobile helpline (9400024365), from Bangalore, and informed about their lack of coverage. As usual the recipient of my call suspected my handset and asked me to switch off and then switch on my handset. After some explanation my complaint was noted. But I personally cannot verify till I visit Shivanasamudram again.

Feedback – Wap over BSNL GPRS

Accessing GMail in slightly older phones (e.g. Nokia’s 3100) with BSNL GPRS is not so encouraging. I can only access and read the mails but cannot send any. Sending mails does not seem to work at all even after several attempts. Is it a BSNL GPRS feature? I doubt.

Get faster Gmail does not happen for Nokia’s 3100. The option is politely rejected by Gmail.

I also see frequent disruptions in BSNL GPRS connection. Is Nokia 3100 responsible for this? I am not sure. Clearing the cache (Services -> Clear the cache) sometimes helps.

Sometimes I feel that upgrading my mobile phone may help in getting better GPRS services. But that is a typical thought with digital gadgets. Upgradation appears to be always better if one can afford it.

Settings for WAP Over BSNL GPRS

I finally got WAP over BSNL GPRS working on Nokia 3100. I did the following:

• Menu -> Services -> Settings -> Connection settings
  • Rename Active Service Settings from Set 1 to BSNL GPRS.
  • Edit Active Service Settings
    • Homepage -> http://localhost/home.wml
    • Session mode -> Permanent
    • Connection Security -> Off
    • Data Bearer GPRS
    • Bearer Settings
      • GPRS connection-> When needed
      • GPRS access point -> wapsouth.cellone.in
      • IP address -> 10.31.54.2
      • Authentication type -> Normal
      • Login type -> Automatic
      • User name -> ppp
      • Password -> ppp123

• Menu -> Services -> Settings -> Appearance settings
  • Text wrapping -> off
  • Show images -> no

I could successfully access mobile GMail. I shall talk about BSNL GPRS service quality in another blog.