How to enable data access on your Indian mobile?

Data plans are fantastic ways to stay connected to internet while on move. You could infact save money with a data plan. But before you use it, you need to install operator’s settings and activate one of the several plans. Getting settings and activating a plan is as easy as 123 !
But what is this settings thingy ? For any type of data plan, whether GPRS/EDGE or 3G, your phone needs to know how to connect operator’s server. Settings define paths for server connection. Access Point(AP) is another name for settings, used commonly. That’s why if you haven’t defined an Access Point, you get error as like No Gateway ! This could happen even if you’ve set wrong Access Point.
Next thing is to activate one of the several data plans, offered by operator. Without data plans, you pay more cost on internet. You could choose one depending on your usage and budget !
Let’s get things one by one !
We can get Access Point or Settings by two ways, either automatic or manual. When you insert the SIM into handset for first time, operator will automatically send settings, if handset has data capability. Or you could send SMS Shortcode to operator and get settings.
The problem with automatic method is, not all the phones are supported. Operators have settings for common brands and models. If you have newer phone, or a different brand, operator could not send you settings. Even for new Android and certain HTC, Blackberry, Windows Mobile phones, settings are unavailable. In such case, you need to define settings manually.
For automatic or SMS settings, you just need to send a shortcode. You will receive settings in reply which you just need to Save.
For manual once, navigate to Settings/Tools of Phone > Connectivity > Internet Settings and define new Access Point. Then, it asks for various parameters, enter those from following list, depending on operator. You might need to refer Phone’s Manual to find where you can opt for manual settings.
So, here are the instructions for both, SMS and Manual settings, for leading operators. Please note, for manual settings, you can neglect fields that are not asked by mobile -
1. Vodafone :
SMS VL to 52586
Profile Name: Vodafone (Or anything you’d like)
Homepage URL: live.vodafone.in
Bearer- GPRS
IP Address- 10.10.1.100
Username and Password: Blank
APN(Acess Point Name): portalnmms
Port No- 9401
Security- Open/Non-Secure/Normal
Proxy- Enabled/Yes
2. Airtel
SMS MO to 52567
Profile Name: Mobile Office (Or anything you’d like)
Homepage URL: live.airtelworld.com
Bearer- GPRS
IP Address- 202.56.231.117
Username and Password: Blank
APN(Acess Point Name): airtelgprs.com
Port No- 8080
Security- Open/Non-Secure/Nomal
Proxy- Enabled/Yes
3. Aircel
SMS WAP to 121
Profile Name: Aircel GPRS (Or anything you’d like)
Homepage URL: Any
Bearer- GPRS
IP Address- 192.168.35.201
Username and Password: Blank
APN(Acess Point Name): aircelgprs or aircelwap
Port No- 8081
Security- Open/Non-Secure/Nomal
Proxy- Enabled/Yes
4. Idea
SMS SET to 54671
Profile Name: Idea Fresh (Or anything you’d like)
Homepage URL: wap.ideafresh.com
Bearer- GPRS
IP Address- 10.4.42.45
Username and Password: Blank
APN(Acess Point Name): imis
Port No- 8080
Security- Open/Non-Secure/Nomal
Proxy- Enabled/Yes
5. Tata Docomo
SMS INTERNET to 52270
Profile Name: Docomo Internet (Or anything you’d like)
Homepage URL: Any
Bearer- GPRS
IP Address- 10.124.94.7
Username and Password: Blank
APN(Acess Point Name): DOCOMOINTERNET
Port No- 8080
Security- Open/Non-Secure/Nomal
Proxy- Enabled/Yes
That’s all about settings. If you are having any problem to set up phone, feel free to contact operator any time.
Now you should enable one of the data plan, fulfilling your needs. Following is the list of data plans, available from leading operators-
1. Vodafone : Monthly Pack 2GB @ 95 INR, Daily 30MB @ 4INR
2. Airtel: Monthly Pack 2GB @ 98INR
3. Aircel: Pocket Internet @ 98INR/Month or 14INR/3 Days
4. Idea: GPRS Pack 2GB @ 98INR/Month or 200MB @ 15INR/3 Days
5. MTS: Unlimited Internet @ 999INR/Month
6. Tata Docomo:GPRS Pack 6GB @ 98INR/Month or 500MB @ 15INR/3 Days
To activate any of these packs, you need to recharge with pack cost.
For daily packs, you need to call Customer Care no, and activate it.
Go ahead, stay connected 24×7, anywhere with proper settings and a data plan.

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