Afghanistan

giordano;

You can try GSMWorld to see who the providers are in Afghanistan, so you'll need an unlocked aircard more than likely with a local SIM (it has to be a GSM aircard). The air card should come with the software to make it work, but if it's a Sierra Wireless Aircard you can use the Watcher Software from Sierra ( just download it from their website) to make it work .As far as networks I'm pretty sure that they have EGPRS coverage there so you're through-put should be around 50-150kps. Good luck over there and come home safe. Thanks for all you do for us!

 

Hi giordano,

You can connect your phone to your laptop and use it as a modem. You can do this via Bluetooth, infrared or USB (doesn't matter, just as long as your laptop and phone can communicate). To use your phone as a modem, you'll need to download some drivers from the phone manufacturers website to get it working. Assuming you use Windows, you should then see the modem in Control Panel -> Phone and Modem Settings. To dial-up usually the number to dial is *99# or *99***1#. Or ask your service provider.

...but I would say using a "air card" is easier. An "air card" can be a USB stick, a PCMCIA card or embedded in your laptop. They cost around $50-100. The biggest makers are: Sierra Wireless, Option and Novatel. Seach ebay for them, and make sure it says UNLOCKED so it can be used with any SIM card. An dmake sure it has the correct freq bands (Afghanistan should be 900/1800 for GSM and 2100 for 3G, if they have it)

Here's one that's $40, unlcoked and will work on all GSM bands world-wide:

UNLOCKED AT&T Option GT Max 3.6 7.2 3G PCMCIA Aircard - eBay (item 250367294196 end time Apr-03-09 13:11:08 PDT)

Good luck! If you need more info PM me or contat me via my website (see my signature)

 

I put a picture of a SIM card below. A SIM card is given to you by the wireless provider and contains your phone number and all other info relevant to your account. .It is used for GSM and 3G. Without it, your phone is basically dumb and useless.

If your laptop doesn't have bluetooth, you can buy a USB to Bluetooth adapter for about $20. Or you can buy a USB to phone cable and just plug your phone directly to the laptop. If you need more USB ports, buy a USB hub for $10.

 

Your laptop has the Express 54 slot? Then you can not use the full sized PCMCIA card (68-pin) that I posted earlier. You'll need to find an express-sized card (26-pin), like this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/In-Box-UNLOCKED...0|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1308|301:1|293:1|294:50

...and the matching external antenna would be useful:
http://cgi.ebay.com/12-EXTERNAL-ANT...mQQptZPDA_Accessories?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116

...oh, stay away from trying to make any kind of home-made antenna or booster. If you need a booster or repeater of some type, look into Wilson, they seems to make some decent ones, from what I hear (I never used one tho)...but they can be expensive and maybe not necessary in your case. I'd try the express card with the external antenna...

 

You can see some coverage maps of GSM in Afghanistan here. Only MTN and AWCC have plots, and of the 2, looks like MTN has a bigger network and better coverage country-wide, but also check who has better coverage locally (ask some other people who they use in your local area). Coverage maps can be outdated, and doesn't say anthing about the quality of the connection..

GSM Coverage Maps | Afghanistan


Here's some price info from MTN:
http://www.mtn.com.af/sub.aspx?ID=510&MID=258&FirstParentID=250


AWCC mentions about GPRS in their FAQ, but no mention of prices...but at least they do offer it..
http://www.afghan-wireless.com/index.php?page=en_FAQ

..sometimes data is only offered on subscription basis (ie: monthly contract) because some pre-paid billing systems don't support data. I'm not sure how they have it set up there in Afghanistan, but you should ask before buying a pre-paid package if you can use it with data...

 

Hello,

I bought an sierra wireless aircard, and I am using an AFWCC, When I have no signal, the network shows ups, then when I get a signal it says searching for network? I do not have a clue on to resolve this, I am thinking that Maybe I am missing something in settings like an access # or something. So anyhelp would be great. My sim card's gprs is activated, and I can still send txt messages.

Thanx

Manchu

 

Hi. Welcome. I don't think I follow you exactly. But have you set up the APN?

Some info here:
Settings For Handsets

...in particular, this part:

 

Your information resolved the problem that I was experiencing. To let anyone else in Afghanistan know, the AWCC GPRS is extremely slow I.E. 272 bytes per a Second. It takes like 25 mins to load up a webpage so buyer beware. I wonder if the MTN offers a faster rate.

Manchu

Thanx Again

 

Hi

Afghanistan: Today I just completed connection via provider AWCC using GSM system, as like poster Giordano, I am finding it really slow.

I notice on the GSM Coverage Maps, that the provider named MTN, has a much better coverage area for the region I am located in Northern Afghanistan.

My questions:
1. Although both maps have me located favourably in each of the providers zones, does it matter that provider MTN has a much better national coverage than provider AWCC, which I am signed up with? In which case I might source an MTN GSM SIM and try them out.
2. Or is it that GSM system is just sloooooooooooooow and not really up to the task for internet?


Any help/advice appreciated.

Baboon

 

If it truly is a GSM data connection (EDGE or GPRS) then it will be slow. To get high speed you really need a 3G data connection such as UMTS or HSDPA.

 

GSM (GPRS/EDGE) can offer decent data speeds. Not as fast as 3G of course, but it shouldn't be 25 min to load a web-page either. Depending ont he content of the web page, it should load within a minute or so on a GSM connection. Try the other operator if you can and compare. I don't think there's any 3G in Afghanistan, so you don't have much of a choice.

 

Update

Have spoken to local Afghan guy, says the best is yet another provider!
(They sure are popping up here - but as expected probably the services are not up to scratch yet).

Anyway, have checked out their website: AfghanTelecom Corporation
OP might want to check it out.

States they are using 3G CDMA technology, via an air-card USB dongle modem thingy.
To be precise: CDMA 1 x 2000

Now, I have checked the 3 USB modems which I have purchased this year:

It says on the tin:
One of them states "EDGE" - this I use when in Thailand, and speeds are quite acceptable.
Another is which I bought yesterday for Afghanistan, too slow. Writing is DT700E(U) - perhaps that is model number,
The third device specs reads: " HSUPA/WCDMA USB modem that provides the fastest internet connection speed over a 3.75 HSPA network" !!!!!!!!!!!!???????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Then further mentions: WCDMA, HSUPA, EDGE, GPRS, UMTS and GSM, and more.
Think this must be a sort of multiple system modem?????

So my next question:
If provider AfghanTelecom Corporation are using systems which operate CDMA 1 x 2000
Will my WCDMA dongle do the trick? Otherwise I am shelling out for yet another USB modem!
(which may or may not pass the test)

 

You can not use a (GSM / GPRS/ EDGE / UMTS /HSDPA / HSUPA / HSPA / WCDMA) modem on a CDMA network.

 

Oh, ok - thanks RadioRaiders.
Looks like I will be adding to my modem collection then.

Cheers

 

Since CDMA phones/modems need to be specially configured by the network operator (ie: no SIM card to easily swap in/out), you would probably be best off buying a CDMA modem directly from the cellular operator. If you buy a Verizon or Sprint one, there's no gaurantee it will be able to work on the Afghan network. What frequency is the Afghan network on anyway? Oh, 800MHz: http://www.cdg.org/technology/product_pavilion/operator_detail.asp?operatorid=374

 

Hmm, what an odd place for CDMA to be

 

There is a lot of CDMA in Asia, India for example has about 30% CDMA and more providers in the making.

Ofcourse Korea is a CDMA country.

 

Yea, CDMA has bits and pieces around the world. What's odd tho is that the infrastructure vendor to the Afghan network is Huawei, I didn't even know they did CDMA.

 

Yep, they do. Sprint wanted to start using some of it, but the US Federal Gov't got all pissed off because China owns it.

 

Thanks again. Yes, this seems to be the info I am getting from my local Afghan "runner". Says only the companies own (CDMA) modem will work. Probably meaning they do some sort of configuration. But alas they have been sold out of devices for a few months now.

Could the real reason be that there system is fully subscribed? And they dont want to add any more users which may contribute to adverse connection speeds? Or would that not make any difference? I did see that their website was running a splash asking for suppliers of CDMA USB modem.

 

I've never seen a network operator stop selling devices because the network couldn't handle it (iPhone/AT&T anyone? ) If the network gets bogged down, then it's good business sense to expand your networks capacity rather than stop selling subscriptions. After all, selling subscriptions is what they are in biz for.

I would guess they are simply having a supply issue getting CDMA customer modems. 90% of the world is running GSM/UMTS networks, and GSM/UMTS modems don't need any configuring, just pop in a SIM card and go. CDMA is only about 10% of the worlds networks, and modems need to be pre-configured, so this could be where their bottle-neck is: finding a CDMA modem supplier and finding someone to configure modems for their network.

 

Cheers again for that RadioRaiders, its all a bit clearer to me now.
And you are right - heard today that apparently there are many other customers waiting on new supplies arriving.

 

I have been trying to follow this forum and its confusing me as i know very little about this stuff. I am currently in Afghanistan with Roshan service. Can i get a 'for Dummies' method on how to get the best internet possible? I'm willing to purchase a different sim card if need be.
Thank you very very much!

 

I think this whole thread lays it out pretty good. Maybe re-read it and digest it a little, or ask questions about what you don't understand specifically.

Afghanistan has GSM 900 and 1800 networks (ROSHAN is GSM 900). You can swap SIM cards to your unlocked GSM modem if you wish. Afghan Telecom is using CDMA and that's not compatible with GSM. As for who has the best service, you need to ask people in-country, and specifically in the places you plan to be.

 

Any international card should work. I know in Iraq AT&T had the contract on Marine bases and maybe military wide, so you got the best rates through them. If he has access to a DSN line, he can call any base in the US and have them dial everything, then he's charged domestic rates. If you have access to a base Exchange the AT&T cards with Abe Lincoln on them are the best buy. And a hint, instead of mailing the card, since mail is so slow, give him the numbers to the card next time he calls.