Frequently
Asked Questions (FAQs) on Global Access (Global Roaming)
1. What is Internet Roaming?
Global roaming gives the Internet subscriber the ability to use a
"Mercantile Internet account" (Home ISP) anywhere in the
world by dialing into a "local" network (Local ISP), thus
avoiding costly long distance or international calls.
2.
Who needs Global Roaming?
One who travels a lot and requires some sort of Internet connection/access
no matter where he/she goes (roams). For example, say, a user having
full Internet account with Mercantile while in HongKong needs to have
access to the Internet, then there would be 2 options available to
him.
- Dial
all the way to Mercantile which involves a long distance call -
This option is not feasible since the International call would cost
you much more thereby increasing your Internet Access cost. Also
you need a ISD line to dial through and the quality of the line
obviously needs to be noise free to get through the connection which
is not practically possible everywhere you go.
- Go
and sign up for an Internet Account with one of the ISP's available
in HongKong -
" This option too is not practical since you will need to have
an Internet Account everywhere you roam. Moreover this will cause
too many user-ids/passwords/email addresses which would be confusing.
This
is where Global Roaming comes into a picture. If you register for
this service, this is very simple. If your user-id of Internet Account
registered with Mercantile is say: xyz with password abc, then:
- simply
dial into one of the local numbers of POPs available in HongKong.
- give
your user-id as xyz@mos.com.np when prompted (instead of just xyz).
- give
your password as abc when prompted.
- and
roam as much as you can globally.
3.
What is GRIC ?
GRIC stands for Global Reach Internet Connection. This is a service
provided by AimQuest, who co-ordinates with its GRIC partners to make
Global Roaming possible.
4.
How does a roamer roam ?
At first the roamer has to install the Gric Dialer after downloading
it from our ftp site. http://download.mos.com.np/Misc/GricDial_3.2exe (which
is suitable only for Windows 98/98SP2/NT4.0/2000/ME)
Once the roamer has reached a destination, the roamer launches the
GRIC Dialer. The Configuration followed by Login Settings is selected
from the drop down menu. On the new popped up window the user puts
his complete Login ID as user@mos.com.np and Password as
is registered under the roamer.
The Local Access Country/Region, City and the number to be dialed
are selected. Then the Current Location city and region through the
Current Location Properties button are selected, to adjust the prefix
of the number to be dialed. The Connect button is then clicked to
initiate a logon session.
Before leaving on a trip, the roamer has to ensure that the GRIC Dialer
numbers are updated. This can be done by clicking on the File followed
by Update Phonebook from the drop down menus of the Gric Dialer.
Note: Any standard Internet dialer as Dialup Networking will work
as long as the roamer downloads the POP access numbers and configuration
settings from the Gric Web site.
5.
How does a roamer send Emails ?
There are two options to send emails using email client software as
Outlook Express or Netscape Mail:
(i) The roamer can use the SMTP server of the local ISP. To find the
address click on the Detail button of the Gric Dialer, after the number
to be dialed is chosen.
OR
(ii) Use the SMTP server of Gric. The procedure is as below:
1. Authenticate via a web page http://gricmail.gric.net
2. Use your roaming account in order to be authenticated
3. Enter gricmail.gric.net as SMTP server in your email client (i.e.
MS Outlook Express)
6.
Do charges differ when dialing to different POPs available ?
No, the charges remain same no matter which POP you roam through.
7. How much will it cost to roam for 1 hour
?
- Transaction
charge : Rs. 7/minute
- Login
charge : USD 0.50 / login (connection)
Please
note that this amount gets distributed to:
- Home
ISP (Mercantile) : where you have the Internet Account
- Local
ISP : the ISP (POP) where you dial-in-to
- GRIC
: provider of roaming service
Note: USD will be converted to NRs. equivalent to 79.00. This
exchange rate could be changed without prior notice.
8.
When will I get my bill and whom shall I pay ?
Mercantile Communications will send you a bill for your roaming usage
with details on 2nd week of every month and the payment is due to
Mercantile Communications Pvt. Ltd. no matter when/where you roam
through.
9. Who can register for Global Roaming with
Mercantile ?
Users having Cybertrail (Full Internet Account) with Mercantile.
10. Is there any charge for the registration
to be able to roam ?
Yes, there is a subscription charge of NRs. 1000.00 / year.
11.
Do I need to inform Mercantile Communications before I leave on a
trip ?
Yes, you have to send an e-mail to global-request@mos.com.np
to enable your roaming account for which you will be acknowledged.
Once the roaming account is enabled, it will remain valid for 1 year
from the date of acknowledgement sent.
12. Who should I contact if I have difficulty
in roaming ?
You can try one of these followings:
- You
can click on the Detail button of the Gric Dialer, after the number
to be chosen is dialed. There the roamer will find details as helpdesk
numbers and other required details.
- You
can always send an e-mail to support@mos.com.np.
In addition to that, please visit the GRIC's site: http://www.gric.com.
- Select
GRIC Users Page and submit the form that is relevant to your difficulty.
- GRIC
POP Feedback Form: Use this form if you have problems dialing into
specific POP numbers.
- GRIC
Comments Form: Use this form if you have questions or problems unrelated
to specific POP numbers.
- In
addition to this, you can also find the following information here:
- Windows
'95/98/2000/ME Dialer Instructions
- Macintosh
Dialer Instructions
- Netscape
Proxy Instructions
- Internet
Explorer Proxy Instructions
- GRIC
Network Status Page: View this page to keep updated on any connectivity
problems in the GRIC worldwide network.
13.
How / where can I find the local phone numbers of POP I wish to roam
through ?
- "
If you are using GRICDialer, it will list you all the active POPs
available with the corresponding active phone numbers.
- If
you plan to use your own standard dialer, you can note it down from
the Phonebook available in http://www.gric.com.
14.
How to update the Phonebook in the GRICDialer ?
- Just
launch (click) GRICDial you downloaded:
- select
File
- select
Update Phonebook
- It
will automatically update the phonebook. Please note that you have
to first be on-line on Internet to be able to update the Phonebook.
Example:
- Before
you leave on a trip:
- Either
you download GRICdialer from http://www.gric.com and be familiar
with it. OR
- Note
down the active phone numbers of POPs with their support phone numbers
from http://www.gric.com. you
plan to roam through during your trip.
- When
you want to roam:
- Launch
GRICdialer and make the selection that most suits the location where
you are.
- In
the case of HongKong:
- Select
HongKong as Country
- Select
one of the active numbers from the 'connect' window
e.g.:
3006-1188
- Click
on 'connect'
- Specify
the Login ID as xyz@mos.com.np where xyz is your user
id
- Specify
the password
- Click
on 'Connect'. or
Using
your own dialer:
- Launch
your own standard dialer and dial to one of the active numbers you
have noted down e.g.: 3006-1188.
