I agree with tsk on that matter. Hi buddy kpzen, you are not alone in this drama. There are many unhappy BSNL customers who do not know what they are going through until they change to another service provider.
On my return to India end of 2005, I wanted an Airtel broadband as recommended by friends and relatives, but due to their limited coverage in and around city, I had no choice but to go for BSNL broadband. I used BSNL for the whole of 2006 and 2007. Beginning it was 512 kbps plan which went without much trouble for few months. Later I moved my house 2 kms away from the old place. Problems started pouring in. My 512 kbps speed went down to 150 - 200 kbps on an average. After repeated calls and visits to customer centres, I got fed up and changed my plan to 256 kbps unlimited (900 plus plan), thinking atleast I pay less on this plan. Again it went few more months, speeds kept on dropping as months passed until....Airtel laid their broandband cables in my area (bangalore north). I shifted to Airtel Broadband 2 Mbps plan for lesser monthly bill and so far no complaints. I always get above 1.50 Mbps on an average. Service is very good, technicians are educated (unlike the useless and illiterate BSNL linemen and internet-in-charge people).
Summary and lessons learned:
1. BSNL serves the huge internet customers with their workforce of computer illiterate and high school pass oldies who finds it tough to disntiguish between a modem and a mouse.
2. BSNL will make you call atleast 15 charged service numbers (meaning not toll-free) just to hear your issue. Once they hear your issue, its your luck from that moment.
3. BSNL service is good, provided you get a trouble free cabled area and your stars are always good.
4. Airtel has a team of skilled service staff who understand your needs and issue just with 1 call. I had a small issue with the first bill. They called me 5 times to make sure no confusions exist and the issue was resolved in no time.
5. Airtel gives an average of 80% of the promised speed without any interruptions (except things like under sea cable cut issue of the previous week). I find their Mobile Office too very useful with decent speed.
Now comes the Bill comparision:
BSNL average bill throughout 2006 = Rs.2100/- per month (512 Kbps plan, no free calls)
BSNL average bill througout 2007 = Rs.1100/- per month (256 kbps, 900 plus plan, no free calls)
Aitel average bill from Jan 2008 = Rs. 900/- per month ( 2 Mbps plan, Rs.200/- worth calls free both local and STD)
Now you know what I am talking about. I am sure BSNL will come out with similar plans to retain their customers. 20 more BSNL regulars have moved to Airtel in my compound in 30 days !!! 140 more waiting !!
Last edited by shajufx : 4th February 2008 at 11:39.
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