The sim swap to BSNL 3G is free while the 4G upgrade is estimated to cost ₹2500. Since the BSNL swap is free, why would you want to remain on 2G?
Coz even BSNL is likely to shutdown 3G in coming days and BSNL has very less coverage compared to vodafone in my experience. Moreover I rarely use maps so I may need very less data, like ride stats. So just curious. I was thinking of 4g upgrade, but should see if I really do have that as a necessity.
Well vodafone closed 3G because it has its own 4G network, can’t say the same about BSNL, so I’m sure the 3G BSNL network will last long enough to make the free swap to BSNL worth it. But I’d like to know too, can I just use my scooter with 2G services at a discounted price? Rather than using BSNL3G? @abhishek.balaji
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Okay, Vodafone didn’t end up shutting down 3G on 27 August, it’s said to be some time in September, we’re waiting for an update on the final date.
Our interaction with BSNL officials suggests that 3G should be available for about a year at least. However, that could change depending on strategic decisions they take, just like Vodafone. Considering this, the 4G module is what we recommend as a future proof solution.
On the discount, the intention is to offer the discount for the compromised experience you’d have, ie; on 2G. Hence once the 3G SIM swap or 4G upgrade is made available to you, the discount will not be applicable from then.
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Looks like there is a new discount model opportunity here… If customers get discounts on monthly payments when they choose to stay on 2G, I can see why a lot of people might not mind foregoing 3G/4G 
I don’t think this is an entirely new model. People have been asking for a dumber version of the 450 since the beginning for lesser price. This is similar to that. But Ather have hinted clearly that they don’t want to go in that direction…
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True. Just curious how Ather plans to work around this scenario where they will have people refusing to move from 2G. They will stop the discount at some point then.
Please update whether SIM swap to BSNL SIM has commenced. Originally planned for mid-September.
Also update on the status of development of 4G dongle for 450.
Thanks.
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Update awaited.
@abhishek.balaji Any update on SIM swapping to BSNL or 4G.Ather had promised to start sending invitations to bring owner’s vehicles to the service centre in batches and get the 3G sorted.Theres no update yet on this.Looking forward to hear something about this.
For me it appears that entire Ather Team is extremely busy with Series 1, 450X, 450 Plus etc and is slowly forgetting 450. Hope 450 does not meet a pre-mature demise like 340. 450 has a lot of juice in it afterall. How many would really go for an upgrade to 450X etc within a few months of purchase of 450…its not a mobile phone… Ather should come up with a comprehensive plan quickly to address SIM swap and upgrade to 4G.
Vodafone 3g has still not been shutdown. And Ather has announced that after shutdown, for the time that we are on 2G, there will be reduction in subscription charges. So with these two info I’m sure Ather will not swap SIMs till at least 3G is eventually shutdown. As long as Vodafone delays their 3G shutdown it’s better for Ather and even for us. Ather gets time to develop the 4G dongle by then and we can directly go 4G. 3G sim swap is also a temporary fix if you ask me. A swap first and then a 4G dongle later will mean opening up the scooter 2 times at the service centre level. I’d not prefer that TBH.
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I am assuming Vodafone has already Shutdown the 3G services after the VI merger. I agree that visiting twice to the service centre would be an inconvenience but I was told that my Ather one subscription will be discounted by 50% if my vehicle is still running on 2G.So hoping for a constructive update from Ather.
Its not the discount that we are all really looking for…but the concern is on quickly moving to ensuring faster connectivity via 4G (as and when Vodafone pulls the plug on 3G) and an official update on the status on the same. This will build the confidence of the customers.
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Just sharing the update here again, Vodafone didn’t end up shutting down 3G back in August, and the new date given to us is 31 October. We’ll be starting the process of SIM Swaps soon, and you can expect an email shortly with a link to book the slots.
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Glad that you are progressing on 4G dongle upgrade.
I don’t know about the cost incurred by Ather here for a 4G dongle. But, to be honest, for a subsidised cost, I find it 2,950 to be expensive.
You are correct about cost about the dongle when you look at vendor locked devices like Jio’s dongle for ₹900-ish. But the actual cost is in the ₹2.5k range and the price is subsidised because the provider will be in gain from customer’s payments.
Now, the dongle being put inside the scooter needs to be of automotive grade which is another point on pricing, compared to the ones that are meant to be used indoors.
Hence this should be 2.5k in balance.
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It makes sense. I was thinking of the price we used to hear for a 4G dongle. Would like to hear from Ather though
suppose i go ahead with this sim swap and in future if i had to upgrade to 4g, will there be cost involved?
The same 2500+gst I’m March of 2021 but the price after that, I don’t think they can fix it now.