D-Link DIR-456U - Residential USIM embedded HSUPA 3G Router

• Why opted for 3G Router?

 Was looking for a reasonable Data plan which was based on pay/usage scheme (Net won't be used frequently or at all). There was no wired broadband plan available under such scheme. The only scheme available was provided by Airtel charging 4p/10k which wasn't reasonable. BSNL was providing at 2p/10k but there was no pay/usage plan. The 3G data plan by BSNL offered an annual plan for 1251INR - 9GB for 12 months.
various 3G router were available.
Opted for a 3G router with eth interface + wifi + sim slot
Initially tried to get
D-Link DWR-512 HSUPA 3G router - could find one in the near vicinity
D-Link DIR-456U - Bought - price 4800INR

Package contained

•  - D-Link DIR-456U Mobile Router
•  - Power Adapter
•  - Ethernet cable
•  - RJ-11 telephone cable
•  - Quick Installation Guide
•  - Warranty & safety information
•  - D-Link GPL code statement

 The easy step installation did not work for me.
 Initially tried out with Airtel SIM, followed the very simple instruction, could not establish data connection.
 *************** screenshot / camerashot of the router that succeeded ********************
 Had to log into the router interface and run the network setup wizard.
 selected the 3G internet connection and viola the data connection was established
 The Airtel provided a 2G data connection.
 The initial webpage accessed displayed the 2G data scheme provided by Airtel.

Airtel 2G data plans

Airtel default 2G data connection type(GPRS/EDGE)

Buying a USIM was in mind as the router specifically mentioned USIM (Refered what was so special about USIM than normal SIM) 64KB vs 128KB vs 256KB

BSNL wasn't providing 3G USIM even though it was mentioned in the advertisement.(Refer below for the BSNL 3G offer)

The BSNL 3G data connection was switching between EDGE and HSPA - result drastic change in speed
It was easily noticeable by looking at the 3G led - if it were green then its HSPA/UMTS when it was orange it switched to EDGE. It can also be noticed in the router status webpage

BSNL 3G data card with connection type: EDGE

BSNL 3G data card with connection type: HSPA

HS(D/U)PA - High-Speed (Downlink/Uplink) Packet Access
UMTS - Universal Mobile Telecommunications System

Specification

GSM Band (GSM/GPRS/EDGE)
- 850/900/1800/1900MHz
- Power Class 4 (850/900 MHz)
- Power Class 1 (1800/1900MHz)

UMTS/HSUPA Band
- 850 / 1900 / 2100 MHz
- Power Class 3

Data Rates
- 6/9/11/12/18/24/36/48/54Mbps in 802.11g mode
- 1/2/5.5/11 Mbps in 802.11b mode

Standards
- 802.11g
- 802.11b
- 802.3
- 802.3u
- 150N

Wireless Security
- 64/128-bit WEP(Wired Equivalent Privacy)
- WPA & WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access)

VPN
- L2TP/PPTP/IPSEC VPN Pass-through
- 5 Dedicated IPSec tunnels

Antenna
- 3 Internal antennas

Ports
- 2 x LAN (RJ-45)
- 1 X WAN (RJ-45)
- 1 X Phone (RJ-11)

USIM Slot
- standard 6-pin SIM card interface

LED status indicators
- WPS
- WAN
- LAN
- WLAN
- 2G/2.5G
- 3G/3.5G
- SMS
- Signal

Some 3G Router web interface screenshots

Initial screen of DIR-456U

Firmware update page

Log page

ref:
DIR-456U_A1_Manual_v1.10(WW).pdf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3.5G
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-Speed_Downlink_Packet_Access


Some BSNL plans available

Contact Details
Zigma Solutions
TC 13/450, Kunnukuzhy,
Vanchiyoor
Ph: 0471-2302700, 2302701/2/3
994703270 - 40
They directed me to buy the router from
Sri Sai Cad Centre
Shop NO.123, 2nd floor,
Attukal Shopping Complex
Eastfort, Trivandrum
Ph: 0471-2479233, 9745651988

Love/Hate relationship with BSNL

The most responsible and irresponsible(at the same time) form of government based service ever. The frequent disconnection of BB is very usual with dataone connection provided by bsnl and some of the line condition that carries the signal is in such a dilapidated condition that its not possible for quality service until it is replaced and the line man will simply rejoin the exposed joins which corrodes subjected to env condition.
I tried to bring to notice of BSNL official thru online grievance method. It was logged on nov 2010 and the rest of response from BSNL is given below.
Looking at the resolution they have provided its pathetic. They have closed it without the problem being solved, reason- it's not a problem for them since its a commonly occurring situation.

* Name and ph no have been changed

Docket No. Date Booked Category Name
KRL/CO/2010/17587 19/11/2010 I XYXYXYXY PILLAI


Grievance Status Details
Docket No. KRL/CO/2010/17587
Date Booked 19/11/2010
Name XYXYXYXY PILLAI
Phone 0000000
Grievance Dataone Broadband frequently disconnects
Current Status CASE IS YET TO BE FINALLY DISPOSED OFF BY CIRCLE HEAD OFFICE . FORWARDED TO CONCERNED UNITS/SECTIONS FOR TAKING NECESSARY ACTION. PENDING AT TRIVANDRUM HEAD OFFICE.

revision:- 14/02/2011 got a call from bsnl, regarding the disconnection issue that was reported on below given date.
Once before in feb I received a call from bsnl regarding the BB and I said "NO haven't got a problem" and I started thinking when I complained and soon it struck me that it was on 19/11/2010 that I filed a grievance and repented saying no to a call that rarely comes. well in 14/02 i got a call and was asked again well then I asked them when was the complaint registered and they said it was some days back. I rectified by saying some months back and described my issue of frequent disconnection and also quoted that the IBF also have users facing the same problem and I thought its a trademark of BSNL to have such a BB connection. He replied that it could be a line problem . I even said that between my home to the telephone post there are 3 exposed joints which itself is pathetic and can I have a single line extended from the post to my home. response can be done. still waiting for the action.
Until now nothing happened and checking out the status of complaint - check out

Docket No. KRL/CO/2010/17587
Date Booked 19/11/2010
Name XYXYXYXY PILLAI
Phone 83743499
Grievance Dataone Broadband frequently disconnects
Current Status CASE FINALLY CLOSED BY CIRCLE HEAD OFFICE ON 14/02/2011 WITH THE REMARKS CLOSED

Online Grievance:- http://www.kerala.bsnl.co.in/Grievance/publicgrievance.asp

Happiness short lived :(

was really happy that BB service providers were providing more than what was asked for - more downlink speed >256Kbps, but thats a promotional offer lasting till 30th april 2010 :(

Wifi config - Airtel Beetel 450bx1 vs BSNL wa3002g4

Everytime the Dell vostro comes in contact with the new router some changes are inevitable..
Different routers support different types of WiFi network security such as WPA/ WEP

The Vostro configuration to be carried out is

Different router with altogether different security config needs to have a different config on the vostro notebook and if the spec is not given then it's a 5 step job instead of 1 step.

अरे BSNL अपने तरफ़ से सब कुछ करता हे , customer को संतुस्ट रकने ...

Distribution box and Telephone line