With 3G now having been around for quite a while, the early adopters have already jumped on to the faster broadband bandwagon. However, for those of us who are still on the GPRS/EDGE connections, is it really the time to upgrade?

Maybe. But then again, you need concrete reasons (something you need to ask yourself) if you really should upgrade to the faster mobile Internet connection. Do you really need the faster speeds? Would you be utilizing the phone for downloading heavy mail attachments? The point is simple, if you only use the phone for social networking updates or IM chats as far as web usage is concerned, then 3G isn't really a major need for you.

However, you can go a step further and buy yourself a 3G data card. This allows you to connect your laptop to the high speed Internet connection, and lets you surf from most places.

However, if a 3G connection is what you really want, then the choice is pretty much limited. At least as far as tariff plans are concerned.

What to watch out for…

1. Low data limits: most 3G plans are currently not offering a very high ‘free’ data usage limit. And at such high speeds (well, most of the time), you will exhaust that bundled limit quickly, unless you are careful.
2. Pricey plans: 3G plans with a relatively decent data usage (1GB or more, we say) bundled are pretty expensive. Which is why, we suggest you check out our value plans, mentioned below, and get an idea of who offers what.
3. 3G coverage: while operators have been busy advertising 3G quite aggressively, the truth is that even now, certain areas of most cities aren’t covered by the 3G network. Which is why, before you get the 3G plans activated, double check about the service availability in your area. After all, what is the use of paying for something you won’t get access to?

Best Plans…

With a huge number of plans on offer, 3G data is still expensive. While the prices of certain packs may look very enticing, a closer look at the details will reveal a very limited bundled data usage.

Low-end packs: Rs 100 offers about 100MB of data usage- that seems to be the norm of all cellular service providers. This is the basic plan they all offer. If you want to try out 3G, or are on a strict budget, then this may be the plan to go for. But remember, 100MB isn't a lot. Time to switch off any unnecessary apps that may be syncing with the web, and not have that daily You Tube session.

Mid-range packs: These packs usually start around Rs 200, and go up to about Rs 700. Data usage on offer will be anywhere between 500MB and 2.5GB. We noticed that Idea 3G offers the 2.5GB for Rs 650, both in prepaid and postpaid. Reliance 3G offers 3GB of data usage for this much moolah. Airtel, meanwhile charges Rs 750 for 2GB and Vodafone charges Rs 850 for 3GB.

What we are trying to illustrate with these details is the fact that if it is 3G that you really want, you might be better off buying a secondary connection, primarily for data usage.

Data card packs: For your data card, you will be spending upwards of about Rs 700 (for 1GB) till around Rs 1200 for 5GB. This is the norm with almost all operators. However, Reliance 3G gets you about 10GB of data card usage for about Rs 1500, and goes up to Rs 2100 for 21GB. Idea 3G, meanwhile, offers 10GB of data for Rs 1250.

In a nutshell, 3G plans aren’t really inexpensive at this moment. But then again, we urge you to look at the tariff plans, compare between operators, and check for how good the service is in your area- then only sign up for the service. And be careful of the usage amount, since you will be paying Rs 0.10 per 10KB data beyond the free usage. And at high speeds, the meter does run pretty fast!