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 ?

Before leaving on a trip, the roamer ensures that the GRIC Dialer is loaded on a laptop and that POP access numbers are updated using the built-in update mechanism. (Note: the GRIC Dialer is not necessary for roaming. Any standard Internet dialer will work as long as the roamer downloads the POP access numbers and configuration settings from the AimQuest Web site http://www.aimquest.com).

Once the roamer has reached a destination, the roamer launches the GRIC Dialer, selects the current city, and initiates a logon session. When asked for a User ID and Password, the roamer enters the complete user@mos.com.np and the regular password.

For example username: xyz@mos.com.np

password: abc

5. What should be my preparation before I leave on a trip ?

• Download GRICDialer from http://download.mos.com.np/Misc/GricDial_3.2exe and be familiar with it.

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 75.00. 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. 1,500.00 / 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. Whom should I contact if I have difficulty in roaming ?

• You can always send an e-mail to support@mos.com.np.

13. How many countries, ISPs, POPs I can roam through ?

14. 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://pbs.gric.com/html/popfinder.html

15. 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:
• 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 'Dial'. 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.