Wateen Wimax internet service is out for a while now, probably more than 2+ years. The pricing on of the Packages offered by Wateen Telecom was probably one of the major reasons why one didn't got their service in first place. Now that the prices are down we got one of their 1M Unlimited Wimax package and tested it out for the rest of you guys speculating what this package really offers.

So here is the package details:

Total cost: 3200 Rs. (Firsts time, includes ZTE IX380 Wimax Modem)

Download/Upload Speeds: 1M (100KB/s-139KB/s)/0.15M(10KB/s+), Unlimited

Monthly cost: 1620 Rs.

Package Includes: Wimax Modem, 2x RJ45 Cables, Adaptor, 2x Modem Antennas, Built in WiFi, Supports WEP, WPA, WPA 2 and MAC filtering.

Lets jump directly to test results, click read more.

The Good thing about this package is that its almost affordable (PTCL 1200 Rs. vs Wateen 1620 Rs. for 1M package), Rs. 420 could be called Wireless charges, at least you don't have to worry about quality of phone line and all that mess.

Another good thing one can notice using this package (However it may depend on area/city/town) that it doesn't disconnects like PTCL does, well what PTCL does is that they have certain time within which they make couple of restarts to their routers or maybe make some changes resulting in restarts. Wateen service is continuous and without any disconnections even it being wireless and more hostile to frequent disconnects.

Wimax Modem has latest security (WPA 2) and Mac filtering which allows you to secure your WIFI network.

You can stop paying for Wateen services whenever you want.

The bad thing about this package is that its definitely more expensive, and it should be more competitive. But the real "Bad" one notices is immediately after one gets this package. Even if you bought this package, its still is not in working condition. Wateen telecom wants you to solve a little puzzle. They give you a number that you have to dial and tell them your ID card number, then your name and all the details on your ID card. Is it workable yet NO!. You are greeted by a page saying Your WIMAX modem MAC address is not in our list so send us your device MAC via SMS or stay without internet. For someone new at tech this must be a point where one may loose its patience.

Once you've completed the steps the internet should start working. There is NO way you can change WIMAX settings in this MODEM, its locked by Wateen. One cannot upgrade modem's firm ware, again its locked by Wateen.

Download speed is not all that consistent. Website may browse well 60-70% of the time (at 1M speeds) but once you enable torrents and then try to visit a website will bring a total halt to Torrent and Http Web world. Wateen does not want you to multi-task while you are on their network.

The IP address you are given never changes (is static), which is good in some cases, but totally a bad idea when you want to download 40 parts off rapidshare/hotfile/... you all know how it works.

Signal strength on average is 3/5 sometimes it get 4/5 but that is just a rare event. Wimax signal strength is probably not the problem, problems lies within their network /backbone or router settings.

One should not hope for Online gaming/hosting off this connection (of course if its Wateen own gaming servers WOGS).

Conclusion: As you may have suspected, Wateen Wimax is not a choice for a long term internet usage. Its not competitive in its pricing as well as the quality of services it provides. When we get a device like a full sized 220W Wimax modem, we expect a good speed, if its not, they should rather provides users with Wimax USB's, so that it waste a lot less electricity. I can only recommend buying Wateen Wimax if one is in desperate need of internet. Once you have their internet for over a month apply for PTCL broadband, they may got bad customer support but their quality of service is still unmatched. Once you have your PTCL broadband up and running, you will feel the difference as the speeds are a lot more consistent and allows multiple application use internet at the same time without bringing total halt to communications.

+ Addition +: I had to open Wateen Wimax device device because it was too hot to even touch outside, just got curious that maybe i hit a nuclear reactor or molten gold mine inside, its safe to say that we are out of luck today, any how, here is what this device looks like from inside.

There are two very interesting removable components here, first is definitely is the removable Mini PCI wifi card, you can plug it into your laptop (if it has one free mini pci slot) and it should work, second thing of our interest here is WWAN/WIMAX card which surprisingly is removable too. Earlier i spotted same slot in my dell studio 1537, which is same used on the main board of this device for interfacing WIMAX card or WWAN. So for Rs. 1600 for removable and WIFI and WIMAX cards, i think its  not a bad deal if you have an evil mind.

Mostly WWAN cards that ships with laptops (not in Pakistan) are used for wireless internet subscription of some company, i am not sure that this card is locked with wateen specific settings or not, maybe its written on the main board because in web based interface of this device, there are quite some wimax settings that you cannot change.

Edit: If you own this device and planning on cancelling Wateen services, "DO NOT RETURN THIS DEVICE" to Wateen offices/Representatives, they promise you to send you a check for the amount you deposit as security but they never do, clearly it shows lack of customer care.