Tata Docomo Photon Max Wi-Fi Duo review: Portable Internet and Wi-Fi

Tata Docomo had recently unveiled a portable internet solution for those who need an internet connection while travelling. The device is a battery powered wireless internet router, which also doubles up as a portable NAS and a power bank. We reviewed the device to know the functionality, performance and value of the product that can ride in your pocket to serve the internet to you and your family, when on the road.

The Tata Docomo Photon Max Wi-Fi Duo is a simple ready-to-use outdoor internet solution for those who need an internet connection in multiple devices. The pager-sized device is basically a simple, compact, yet feature-rich device that serves you internet, data sharing and power while you are mobile.

As mentioned earlier, the Tata Docomo Photon Max Wi-Fi Duo comes in a pager-sized package. Small, portable and compact, the device can slide into your pocket, bag or backpack without the interference of any sort of wires. The Duo features a built-in internet modem, coupled with a wireless router that can beam Wi-Fi internet for up to five devices, simultaneously.

The Duo is compact, albeit suffers a bit on its build quality. Though sporting a rugged chassis, the device has a dual-tone silver and black glossy finish, which is easily tarnished with scratches and scuffs. We did manage to get the device scratched with regular handling in just a few days of usage.

The front panel sports a black glossy finish with backlit indicators, each for the battery level, mobile radio, Wi-Fi, charge status and SMS messages. A large DOCOMO logo with the company branding is the only mention about the device on the front panel. The top features two buttons—one for switching on the internet and wireless router, and the other for using the unit only as a power bank. A reset button and a micro USB port are also available on the top.

The right side features a small plastic flap that reveals the housing for the micro SD slot, while the left side sports the USB 2.0 port, which is used for charging a mobile phone or a tablet. The rear panel is designed with a split panel, which seems like it can be opened to something below it. However, it does not. The rear panel also lacks some legs, which could help when placing the device on a table or alike. These legs could save the device from being scratched when placing it on a rough surface.

The Tata Docomo Photon Max Wi-Fi Duo features a built-in internet modem, with the service limited or locked to Tata Docomo . The service is presently only available in post-paid and a pre-paid service is yet to be launched by the company. The device has a built-in SIM card that is locked to Tata Docomo's internet services and cannot be switched to another service. The ISP has incorporated the use of LAVA Internationals portable battery-powered wireless internet router for the Tata Docomo Photon Max Wi-Fi Duo. The internet modem can serve internet speeds of up to 9.8mbps, depending on the ISP service and data plans that you opt from. 

The built-in wireless router sports features of a regular wireless router, which includes security, MAC address filtering and so on. You can change the SSID and password protection according to your preference. The wireless router can simultaneously serve the internet to up to five wireless devices at a comfortable range of up to 30 meters or more, depending on area to area.

The device incorporates a 4400mAh battery, which can be recharged using any computer USB port or a USB wall charger from any smartphone. The built-in battery powers the router and internet modem, and can also be used for charging a smartphone or tablet, while in use. The battery when used for the internet service can power the Duo for around 24 hours, but will depend completely on the usage and the distance of the device from the nearest serving mobile tower.

Lastly, the Tata Docomo Photon Max Wi-Fi Duo also sports a micro SD card slot. When used with a micro SD the Duo can be used as a common network-shared storage for storing data or streaming media. The micro SD card slot can support micro SD cards with up to 32GB capacities. The shared storage can be protected using a password, so that guest users can be kept away safely.

Setting up the device is pretty simple and quick. However, you would need a computer, smartphone or tablet to activate the device initially. When you unpack the device for the first time, the device’s battery is usually charged to full capacity. Power on the device and connect your tablet, smartphone or PC to the wireless router, or simply connect the device to a PC using the bundled USB cable and run the software to install the drivers. Once connected, all one needs to do it to activate the service using any web-browser. Hit the device’s home page with the IP address and activate the service.

Once the device is activated, you should start configuring the device to change the SSID and necessary passwords. This should keep away intruders who might know the common passwords (if not yet changed) and misuse the service. The onboard router can further configured to your needs.

On the performance front, we were impressed by the Duo—the device starts up quickly and logs into the internet service without the need of any username, password or any login screens. The device, once powered on, registers to the internet connection and is ready to be used within a minute. The indicators on the device keeps you informed about the internal battery’s power level, internet service ad wireless router status. The ISP keeps you informed about the usage and service using the SMS service, which can be accessed from the router’s home page at any time.

We tested the device in our Mumbai office and found that the device performs as mentioned. We do have an issue of the service in the area as the telecom provider’s mobile tower is a bit far away from where we are located. However, while we were at the office bench, the internet speeds crossed a comfortable 1.7mbps, without any issues. We tried the device outdoors and even in a different location and obtained speed of more than 3.0mbps in certain areas. This means that the internet speeds will completely depend on your location (for barriers and obstructions) and the distance from the nearest serving mobile tower. We also did manage to take the device out of the city, but unfortunately, the service was unavailable and we did not manage to test it in that area. However, if Tata Docomo has an internet service in your locality, or in the area that you are travelling to, you should have no issues. Tata Docomo mentions that it operates in almost 450,000 towns and villages across India

Tata Docomo does mention that the internet service comes with free roaming across India. However, the device is presently only available in Mumbai and Delhi, with more cities to be added soon.  Users are required to choose their data plans when opting for the Tata Docomo Photon Max Wi-Fi Duo. Unlimited usage begins at a minimum of Rs 750 with an FUP cap of 5GB and can go up to Rs 1,499. with an FUP of 25GB. Usage-based plans start from Rs 300 with an FUP of 1GB and go up to Rs 650 with an FUP of 3GB. Once the data is exhausted, you will be charged additionally as per the usage.

While testing the device, we did notice that the Tata Docomo Photon Max Wi-Fi Duo tends to heat up a little. The reason could be that the compact device features a built-in wireless router as well as an internet modem, which when active, does heat up a little. But due to lack of any exhaust windows, the heat builds up to make it warm.

Overall, we had a good experience with the Duo, with almost no complaints. The Tata Docomo Photon Max Wi-Fi Duo is priced at an MRP of Rs 2,899 and the monthly data services are as per the plan you opt for. For those who own multiple devices at home, office or on the move, a single internet service is pretty beneficial and the Tata Docomo Photon Max Wi-Fi Duo is definitely recommended. The Tata Docomo Photon Max Wi-Fi Duo is a great a single point solution for wireless internet, personal data cloud service and a power bank to charge your devices.