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Vodafone 3G – No Video-Call Without Data Packs

Posted: 23 Apr 2011 10:49 PM PDT

It seems that Vodafone has learnt to walk against stream. After burning their hands by providing WAP pack instead of true GPRS pack now they have started providing Untrue 3G Video Calling service.

In various telecom circles , Vodafone 3G services can only be enjoyed when you are subscribed to any of their 3G data packs even if you don’t need 3G data. While MTNL/BSNL and Reliance providing Video Call services by default and other private operators like Airtel, Aircel, Tata Docomo, Idea Cellular allow Video Calls with ‘Pay As You Go 3G plan‘.

The worst part is if you are in need to receive video call from someone staying far away from you, there is No Incoming video call facility those have No 3G data pack recharged on Vodafone.

However few years back, In the initial age of 3G services in India, both the PSU MTNL and BSNL didn’t allow 3G Video Calling without Any activation of 3G Data /Voice plan but they removed all barriers to popularize the 3G Video Calling in India (Remember BSNL 3G Ad ?) and now a days the 3G scenario is completely changed and almost all operator providing 3G Video Calls without any 3G data packs Except Vodafone !

In the primary stage of 3G Era, Data-packs are really very costly in all private 3G operators for a big portion of consumers. While 3G video call is comparatively pocket-friendly in PSU MTNL and BSNL for 1p/sec or 30p to 70p/min and bit premium rates in all private 3G operators which costs Rs.3/Min or 5p/Sec is genuinely making people interested towards 3G.

During the time of competition among private operators this type of in-discrimination is really creating a barrier between people and 3G. Vodafone 3G data packs starts from Rs.103 (for 100MB data) and to make/receive video-call one must have to recharge with it or higher.

Lets have a look on this issue:

Operators	Notes
Aircel /Airtel / Idea Cellular	After activation of 3G you can enjoy 3G services incl. data and video calls. But if you like to use 2G data packs, you have to deactivate 3G.
Reliance GSM	3G come to everyone by default i.e. 3G data services and video calling is activated automatically. But if 2G data pack is recharged, speed will be capped till the validity period of 2G data pack.
BSNL / MTNL	BSNL /MTNL are offering video calls to 2G/3G users by Default with lowest tariff compare to all private operators. While to enjoy 3G data you need to activate 3G.
Vodafone	For video calls (outgoing/incoming) you need to activate any 3G Data Pack with minimum recharge of Rs 100 per month which comes with 100 MB 3G data. Following the recharge you can access Vodafone HSPA network to make video calls.

In brief 2^nd largest operator in India Vodafone messed up the 3G thing. What do you think about Vodafone 3G?

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