Tata Teleservices has launched India’s first Wi-Fi based mobile broadband solution called TATA Photon Wi-Fi at a price tag of INR 4999. The pocket sized device lets multiple devices like laptop, smartphones or tablets connect to the Internet using Wi-Fi. The device itself connects to Tata’s network over the carrier’s CDMA network (similar to its other photon devices).
Think of the device as a Wi-Fi router. Only that this router is always connected to the internet using Tata’s CDMA network with download speed up to 3.1 Mbps and upload speed up to 1.8 Mbps. Multiple Wi-Fi devices can connect to it and surf the internet. The internet speed will be distributed among all the users. A typical use case of such a device is a family travelling on the road with each member’s device connected to the internet over Wi-Fi. The device will work anywhere where Tata’s network is available. So you can even take it on train journeys with you.
The USP of the device is the ability to support upto 5 devices simultaneously even when on the go. The device small enough to fit inside your pocket. The device automatically shifts to CDMA 1x mode (144Kbps speed) where CDMA 2x network is not available.
Here are the data plans which can be used with the device:
| Plan Name | Monthly Rental (Rs) | Free Usage | Additional Usage Charges |
| Photon+ Lite | 500 | 0.5 GB | Re. 0.50/MB |
| Photon+ 1GB | 650 | 1 GB | Re. 0.50/MB |
| Photon+ 2GB | 750 | 2 GB | Re. 0.50/MB |
| Photon+ 3GB | 850 | 3GB | Re. 0.50/MB |
| Photon+ Mega 5GB | 950 | 5 GB | Re. 0.50/MB |
| Photon+ Power Surf | 1100 | 10 GB | Re. 0.50/MB |
| Photon+ Super Surf | 1500 | 15 GB | Re. 0.50/MB |
There is an Ethernet (RJ 45) port on the device to configure it for the first time. If you want to know more on the device configuration, read the user guide here.
The device is currently only available in Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Delhi. If you are interested in buying this device, you can request for a representative to get in touch with you here.
[via tataphoton.com]
