FAQ

h1. How does an Aurinoco subscription compare with BSNL's?

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h1. General

h2. Auroville

h3. Campus Area Network (CAN)

Aurinoco is building a network infrastructure for Auroville to support multiple services as well as Internet access.  The cost is partly funded by subscription payments.  An Aurinoco subscription is partly a contribution to this project.  

h3. Internal services

Aurinoco provides Linux and Windows update services which reduce subscribers' Internet usage.  These are free to subscribers.

Further services are planned:

* Backup service

* Kaspersky Internet Security subscriptions

* Storage service

* Video on demand

h2. Optical fibre vs. telephone line

Aurinoco connections are via optical fibre cable (OFC) as opposed to BSNL's telephone line which is copper cable.

An optical fibre cable is scalable in terms of data volume and speed, telephone lines have technical upper limit on data capacity and even the average speed is dependent on the age of the cables, how many repairs have been done over the years.

Telephone lines are an old technology gradually falling into disrepair and disuse. As BSNL will not pull new telephone cables to new housing projects within Auroville, increasingly new residences do not have options for telephone lines for their internet access. They are also required to choose cell phones over land line phones.

Network connections via OFC do not need to be disconnected for lightning protection as long as electrical supply to UPSes are disconnected.

h2. Support

Aurinoco support:

* Is easier to contact than BSNL's including by email.

* Emails subscribers:

** When there is a planned outage

** When there are network defects

** When network defects are fixed.

* When support cannot be provided remotely:

** Visits subscriber premises (BSNL normally require subscribers to take their modems to the telephone exchange).  

** In case support requires work on the subscriber's network or devices, does the work on a chargeable basis subject to being competent (BSNL does not work on the subscriber's equipment)

h2. Telephone

A BSNL subscription includes telephone service:

* Line rental

* Free call allowance (some plans)

h2. Marketing

BSNL connections periodically divert website browsing to their marketing site.  There is no such diversion on Aurinoco connections.

h1. ACN

ACN is explained at [[What subscription plans are available?]]

h2. Outages

Currently ACN outages are about the same as BSNL's but without the short disconnections that some BSNL subscribers experience.

Aurinoco has plans to reduce outages.

h2. Speed

ACN subscribers normally get the full speed of their plans.  BSNL plans are "up to" the plan speed and actual speed is commonly less than plan speed. 

h1. ERN

ERN is explained at [[What subscription plans are available?]]

ERN plans are not comparable with BSNL plans because the Internet access is provided specifically for research work.