Best 3G Prepaid Plans in Odisha: Aircel vs Reliance

Choosing the right 3G prepaid plan in Odisha can be a challenging task, especially when considering options like Aircel and Reliance. Both providers offer a variety of plans, but which one is the best for you?

Comparison of Aircel and Reliance Plans

Price Comparison:

As of February 2016, Aircel and Reliance were offering similar pricing for their 3G plans across Odisha. Aircel's plans ranged from approximately ?21 to ?1398 per GB, with the cheapest plan at ?444 offering 4 GB for 60 days. Reliance's plans were generally slightly more expensive, with most ranging between ?100 to ?150 per GB. Reliance's best feature is the ability to carry forward data, offering significant flexibility in plan usage.

Signal and Network Availability

Aircel: Aircel's network coverage is limited to towns, and signals are not available in many parts of Odisha. Their speed is good, but only in specific pockets. However, they offer a 2G network for calls in areas where 3G is not available. Aircel is not supported in most states outside Odisha, which can be a drawback if you frequently travel.

Reliance: Reliance has a more robust 3G network, but they lost their 2G spectrum bidding in Odisha. This means they rely solely on 3G towers for both calls and data. Emergency calls can be an issue outside key highways like NH 5, NH 5A, and Puri-BBSR. However, Reliance often offers cheaper plans with data validity of up to 180 days.

Special Offering

Reliance occasionally offers some of the cheapest plans in the market, lasting up to 28 days. For example, a plan with ?258 and 10 GB of data was available for a limited time. This plan included any remaining data in your old plan when you switched, making it a worthwhile option.

Speed and Data Testing

Speed Test Results (March 2016):

Aircel 3G: Speeds ranged between 3.5 Mbps and 4.23 Mbps in Bhubaneswar. Reliance 3G: The fastest results were 10.68 Mbps in Bhubaneswar, though 2G speeds may not be available. Airtel 3G: Airtel's speed was up to 8.23 Mbps in Bhubaneswar. Airtel 4G: Airtel's 4G speed was up to 10.30 Mbps, though Aircel and Reliance do not yet offer 4G in Odisha. Reliance 4G (Jio): Although not available in the market yet, speeds were up to 41.45 Mbps in Bhubaneswar. As of March 2016, Airtel 3G and 4G were ≈ 3-4 Mbps and 5.83 Mbps, respectively, in Bhubaneswar.

Verdict

Based on the considerations of price, network reliability, and speed, the best choice may vary depending on your location and needs:

Western, Northern, and Southern Odisha: Reliance 1298 plan (15 GB for 180 days), as it offers better network coverage despite being slightly more expensive per GB. Cuttack and Capital Area: Aircel 1398 plan (15 GB for 30 days), due to more stable and faster network speeds. Travellers: If you frequently travel to other states, Reliance is a better choice due to its broader coverage. Aircel may not be supported in all states, while Reliance has a 3G network available even in small towns.

The reliability and cost-effectiveness of each provider can be summarized as follows:

Reliable Connection: Airtel 3G (3-4 Mbps in small towns) or Airtel 4G (available in big towns). These are the costliest options among all providers. Economical Connection: Reliance 3G provides excellent speeds and cost-effectiveness. However, the network is not available in most places in Odisha. Unreliable Connections: Aircel and Reliance combined can be unreliable due to limited signal in many parts of Odisha.