FAQ's

Broadband is generally used to describe a high-speed Internet or data connection that is charged at a flat fee. That is as soon as you turn on your computer, you are connected to the Internet.
Broadband presents you with major opportunities to manage your business cost-effectively. Not only can you realise the benefits derived from improved access to the Internet but you can also achieve significant cost-savings.

What types of broadband technologies are available?

There are a number of types of broadband services available:
Cable Modem Broadband
Satellite Broadband
Mobile
Fixed Wireless (radio)
Digital TV
Fibre
ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line)
SDSL (Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line)
Each has their own features, benefits and drawbacks.

Are some Broadband alternatives better than others?

Cable broadband: Low cost
Satellite broadband: Costs are currently higher than ADSL but available nation-wide
ADSL: Low cost, heavily contended but not widely available nationwide (60% coverage), no service level guarantee
SDSL: Low cost, moderately contended, available only in key areas of major metropolitans, service level guarantee
Leased lines: the most reliable of broadband connections with the advantage of nation-wide availability. A dedicated line means there is no contention with other users. Costs are higher than other broadband .

What is HSDC ?

HSDC is High Speed Data Communication.

What is IPLC?

An IPLC (international private leased circuit) is a point-to-point private line used by an organization to communicate between offices that are geographically dispersed throughout the world. International Private Leased Circuits (IPLC) are the basic building blocks for international communications, providing raw bandwidth for global communications networks. These point-to-point private line services are dedicated to the customer's exclusive use providing quality reliable digital transmission seamlessly integrating data, voice and imaging services.

A wide variety of applications are supported by IPLC including internet access, LAN-to-LAN connectivity, telemedicine, video and teleconferencing.

What kind of services do you provide ?

STPI provides two types of services:

SoftLINK : It is a shared Internet connection, either through a radio or leased line ( MTNL) if the customer is outside the STP complex, or through LAN (Local Area Network) if the customer is within the complex. SoftLINK services are provided in N*64kbps bandwidth (N=1,2,3,4,.......).

SoftPOINT : This is the IPLC (International Private Leased Circuit) service. These are point-to- point N*64 kbps leased lines between the customer location in India and a location any where in the world.

Does STPI provide Voice connections ?

STPI does not provide voice services.

How will STPI help in the rectification of the faults ?

Engineers are available round the clock for any type of fault rectification, sufficient spares and stand by equipment are always in stock to meet emergencies.

What are the service charges for attending the faults ?

There are NO service charges for attending the faults.

What equipments do you provide to your customers ?

STPI normally provides the end equipments (e.g. HDSL modems, Radio modems) with V.35 female Winchester type connector. However, termination may be different depending on the local loop implementation.

Can we get fibre optical connectivity ?

STPI has not yet acquired the capacity on submarine fibre optic cable. However, local loop may be hired on optical fibre connectivity.

Which are your carriers at present to USA and Europe? Are you working with any other carriers? If yes, what are the formalities involved ?

MCI World com, SPRINT, AT&T, Cable & Wireless to USA and BT, France Telecom, GE Spacenet to Europe. In Asia we have Korea Telecom and Telstra in Australia.

Can you provide redundant circuits through two different routes ?

Yes, but the cost will be as per the actual route provided.

Is OSS (One Stop Shopping) possible for India and abroad ?

OSS is possible for abroad only.

If we want to disconnect the circuit in future, is their any kind of reimbursement provision ?

No, there is no reimbursement provision in case of disconnection of the circuit.

What is SoftNet ?

SoftNET is the name given to service scheme provided by STPI. In SoftNET scheme, we provide SoftLINK and SoftPOINT services.

Is SoftNet service dependent on VSNL ?

No, SoftNet is not dependent on VSNL. STPI has independent gateways for uplinking and downlinking.

Does STPI operate through its own Gateways or through VSNL ?

STPI has its own 44 International Gateways.

In case of SoftLINK service we provide N * 64 kbps shared bandwidth with maximum of 1 : 4 connectivity. In case of SoftPOINT service we provide N * 64 kbps ( Where N = 1,2,3........) bandwidth as per the requirement of the customers.

For local loop what type of connectivity do you provide ?

Local loop connectivity can be given on point-to-point links operating on spread spectrum technology and point-to-multipoint link operating on TDMA and HDSL links through MTNL

How can I be connected to my counter part if he is in USA / Europe or any other part of the world ?

You will be connected to your counter part by two half circuits, one by Indian half circuit and second by foreign half circuit. Indian half circuit will be taken care of by STPI and foreign half circuit by foreign end service provider like AT&T, MCI WorldCom etc. These two circuits are connected through IntelSat satellite.

Do you use Frame Relay ?

No, we are not using Frame Relay, but we are in the process of starting the same.

What type of Interface do you provide to your customers ?

Generally we provide two types of interfaces to our clients i.e. G.703 and V. 35.

What is the difference between G.703 and V.35 ?

V.35 is a balanced connectivity provided with Winchester type connector. It has 34 pin, DTE type connector terminated with end equipment.
G.703 is an unbalanced connectivity using co-axial cable with BNC connector.(75 ohms) is terminated with end equipment.

Is it possible to upgrade the circuit in future ?

Yes, it is possible to get the circuits upgraded as per the requirements.

What will be the procedure and how much time will be taken for upgradation ?

For upgradation, delivery time is 3-4 weeks from the date of order.

What is the time period required for international leased line connection ?

After applying, connection will take eight weeks.

What is the difference between leased line and dial-up connection for internet ?

Leased line Internet connection is through N * 64 kbps dedicated radios or leased lines up to our router, whereas dial-up is straightforward service where customer has to dial our node through modem connected to PSTN. STPI does not provide dial up access to Internet.

Do you use TCP / IP pattern or something else ?

We use open standard TCP / IP protocol suite.

Will you also provide E-mail, Telnet, Remote Login, WWW and FTP services ?

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Is STPI Shimla ISO certified?

STPI Shimla was certified ISO 9001:2000 certified for all its operations. The certification is renewed from time to time.

What are the provisions for ease of processing of customer requests?

Account manager/single point of contact for customer –single window clearance Online/Web enabled Customer support-we have automated the application processing sytem,this has led to a faster pace of clearing applications For any queries regarding data communication services call: 0177-2832679/80 or email us at: nocshimla@stpi.in.

Does STPI use any mechanism to monitor the bandwidth it takes from international carriers?

Yes, we use MRTG (Multi Router Traffic Grapher).

What is the level of commitment for the services stpi provides?

STPI has a comprehensive Service Level Agreement (SLA) covering uptime, latency and throughput. It is a note stating our commitment to meet the promised level of uptime, throughput and latency.

What is the service provision of STPI after getting connection ?

Round the clock help desk.

Is there a helpline which one can call in case of circuit failure?

Help desk is working round the clock with highly trained and experienced technical workforce. You can call the following numbers:
0177-2832679/80
or
e-mail your complaint to : stpi_shimla @yahoo.com