Just got the news yesterday that leading telecom provider Citycell, the only CDMA based mobile operator in Bangladesh is starting EV-DO services soon in the country.
Initial bandwidth limit would be something around 2Mbps.
For details on EV-DO, you can visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evolution-Data_Optimized/.
So far they have already gone in production with a non-governmental organization (so far I can recall, go to http://citycellbd.net/works/citycell/news.php for exact information) as a test service and that is working fine.
I am still unsure about the bandwidth that's required to cover the demand for EV-DO, but eventually that will be going fine and this is a good sign indeed to our demand for broadband services in Bangladesh.
Package:
Initial packages are made available for personal use as below,
5 GB = 4500/- Taka
8 GB = 6000/- Taka
Connection Bandwidth:
However there is no special package or package having smaller download limit like 1GB or 500/300 MB what is currently available with ZOOM (CDMA2000 1X) connection. So most of the people like me would get in trouble fitting the service for their use. Costly indeed.
Price:
The hardware modem cost is something around 12,000/- Taka, again costly. Morar opor kharar gha. Again I am looking to see if any low-cost modem is available in the country. Unfortunately there is no mobile phone is available in the market in BD that supports CDMA 1X EVDO technology. I have an EVDO enabled modem that I arranged brought from China.
Coverage Area:
Initially few places of Dhaka will have the facility to enjoy EV-DO service since the coverage will be available to only those places. These places are Gulshan, Bonani and Motijheel. Eventually all the places will be taken under coverage.
I am eagerly looking forward to see the service and am sure many of me who is just keen to have more bandwidth. I will publish more information regarding this once I get it and off-course if I have time.
This is pure crap. With 2 mbps connection 8gb is nothing. Unless they offer unlimited data it'll be another flop citycell product.
ReplyDeleteyou are right Abir, 8GB is nothing when comparing with 2Mbps connection speed, nevertheless at least this is the fastest connection and a beginning of a new edge of broadband in Bangladesh.
ReplyDeletewe hope to see the barrier would be withdrawn by citycell quickly.
i am joy from italy.i wants use net line my house.my house is laxmipur,ramgonj thana.so,can i know,which line is best for my villege.
ReplyDeleteI want to spend montly only Tk. 500 for Internet browsing. Is there any package for such limit?
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Khorshed
To Alam:
ReplyDeleteyou can use Citycell ZOOM for a package of 450 taka for 300 MB monthly, that is enough for browsing if you use 2 hours daily. but for download, its definitely not.
To Joy:
ReplyDeleteis there Citycell network and how is the network (how much good it is)?
you need a pc with modem or modem-enabled phone in order to access internet, i believe that is available.
which operator's network available good in your village?
you can use either Citycell ZOOM or GP-Internet based on the network condition.
hi..
ReplyDeletecitycell network for internet is good . but its too costly and not sufficient. so its better not to chose this product.
Prabal,
ReplyDeletefor citycell, you can take lower subscription package, for 500 MB or for 300 MB, that is good enough for browsing and should not cost much.
for lots of downloads, then u don't have any option to take other than unlimited package, then it would cost high.
i use 500 MB and sufficient for me for blogging, browsing.
Is it some kinda joke???!!!??? those who take decisions in Citycell will ruin the organization with this sort of decisions!!! everybody in this world is not corporate and they don't have any sorts of respect for whom may be the end user!!!
ReplyDeleteGuys / ladies ,
ReplyDeleteThe internet service in bangladesh is purely a new ear frankly the city cell is ok but droping of network is bad and the download you can test basically the deal is same for both citycell and gpinternet bad speed , wait till the 3g comes out but than again it will be same service as the one we have , for a poor country like ours the edge could have been a much better service if the bandwidth was enough , rather than having 3g and Evdo is simply a money making process for selling new modems and charging a high rate. and providing 25% performence speed of the system , waste of technology.
I'm working under US Army at Afghanistan.If I use CityCell Zoom Modem in my Pc.can I use Skype, Gtalk or Googletalk,Yahoomessenger with Voice service.my house is Bhola sadar.please inform me.
ReplyDeleteThanks & regards
jashim
hi jashim,
ReplyDeletegreat to see you are working under us army, its a privilege.
for your query, you can use gp-internet or citycell zoom from your house at bhola to enjoy gtalk, yahoo messenger or skype with voice. consideration should be the network must be fine at the area - that you need to check with locals. let me know for anymore query. alos the installation is plain and simple, the shop-man can help you out or visit my following post to have a help.
http://broadbandinbangladesh.wordpress.com/2008/06/05/configure-citycell-zoom-for-your-laptopdesktop-computers/
Zoom™ Ultra
ReplyDeleteUltra is the new and upgraded package from Zoom™ high-speed wireless internet service that runs on state-of-the-art EV-DO technology, the evolution from CDMA 1X technology. You can experience download speeds of up to 512 kbps, and the Zoom™ Ultra connection enables you to access this high-speed internet by simply connecting to your laptop or desktop computer.
Zoom™ Ultra provides never-before internet speeds on the move, and plug-and-play service through a versatile USB interface. The high speeds facilitate a superior internet browsing experience with video streaming, video surveillance, and rich media content.
Currently the Zoom™ Ultra service is available in Motijheel, Dhanmondi, Banani, Gulshan, Baridhara, and Uttara areas of Dhaka city. Since the Ultra Modem is downward compatible with Citycell’s Zoom 1X network, it ensures connectivity throughout Bangladesh across 64 Districts.
Zoom™ Ultra data plans are designed to suit your specific needs. Products and devices are available at the three Citycell Customer Care Centres of Dhaka, Zoom Zone at Bashundhara City Shopping Complex, select Zoom™ Points of Dhaka city, and through our Sales hotline 011910SALES (01191072537) or email (sales@citycell.com). Our nationwide network of Customer Care
see more
http://www.citycell.com/index.php?pageid=127
I would say these are individual packages for those with laptops, looking for mobility, who would be fine with inconsistent throughput...and finally, who can afford the monthly fees. How many such users in Dhaka? You got it...this service is good for a very minute population and not for the general Internet public.
ReplyDeleteBhaire monthly Tk. 6ooo khoroch korte parle to ami 8mbps/1MBPS er ekta unlimited internet line e manage korte partam, Behuda cheating cell er ultra ar dorkar ki. 8O :{
ReplyDeleteha ha valo bolsen agreed :)
ReplyDeleteThe offer is a rubbish for the price is too high in comparison to the ADSL connection provided by BTCL and if u talk about mobility there will not be much for the sevice is within a limited territory. Like always Citycell is still a crap and the most cheater company amongst the Telecom Operators
ReplyDeleteI want to spend monthly only Tk. 1500 for Internet browsing and download. Is there any package for me?
ReplyDeletewhats your location for internet use?
ReplyDeletewhats your expectation for speed?
whats main activity you would perform with internet?
fine, for general purpose (browsing, email, downloads etc.) you can use gp unlimited internet based on operator network performance in your location.
Citycell Zoom users facing terrible difficulties due to unfair business dealings of Citycell authorities. Previousely Zoom users enojoyed 80 to 100 kpbs download speed. And now with the introduction of Citycell Ultra Zoom package original zoom users bandwith is cut down to 64 kpbs, in some cases speed goes further low . This is sheer a bad tricks of business and not expected from a renoun company like Citycell. With this can they attract new users?
ReplyDeletedo they kilo bytes per second or kilo byte per second
ReplyDeleteI Dnt know y i have choosed citycell zoom ultra and now am so dissapointed with this that am never gonna tell any one to use it. I thought it would be better to use cc zoom ultra But its pathetically slow and i have the worstest internet browzing experience in my life. Just bought it from the Chittagong IT fair2010 @4200. Thought it would be much better then the other gprs or edge based line becuase of the so called speed that r said by the cc(They said the minimum would be 150 kbps and max 500)lol. Dnt trust citycell or u will suffer like me. Its better to have a broadband/GPRS,EDGE connection instead of buying citycell zoom ultra. Its the worst.
ReplyDeleteHey tanxeen....wat package d u get. I live in chittagong & planing 2 by 150kbps package...how would b da download speed., pls rep..im togglin between gp & citycel
ReplyDeletehi all zoom ultra user please help me. live in Dhaka & i want to buy zoom ultra. pls could u reply me about its Browsing & Download speed
ReplyDelete@masud ahmed, where r u located in dhaka? not every places zoom-ultra is available yet.
ReplyDeleteami gpinternet use kori. Amar pc ta downlode speed 180-230kbps dakhi. But downlode managara 15-20KB daki. Tahola ami jodi citycell zoom ultra use kori amiki downloder somoy 128 or 150 KB Speed pabo?Naki abar 10-15 KB pabo.
ReplyDelete@tushar,
ReplyDeletethe speed that you are seeing as 180-230 and operators tell is in kbps (kilo bit per second) and the actual speed that is in consideration or we see as file-size or in download manager is always in KBps (kilo byte per second).
you need to divide 180-230 kbps by 8 to get actual speed in kilo-byte. hope this explains.
EVDO Rev.0, the max speed is 2.4Mbps, Rev.A modem can reach 3.1Mbps
ReplyDelete