Airtel - Now Unlimited Plans have restrictions on download speeds

romyeo4u · 16th February 2009, 15:28

As per TRAI, Airtel has started reducing connection speed for unlimited plans exceeding a certain download limit. Hence it means after you cross the CAP, your download speed will decrease

This is ridiculous.

Some info I have -
Plan 256 kbps - UL - Limit 15GB (per month ) after which speed reduces to 128 kbps.

Worst part is the customers are not informed about this "Fair usage Policy" before it gets into effect.

If you dial 121 - it doesn't even go beyond "welcome to Airtel"

Airtel is becoming another Tata Indicom.

has TRAI started a regulation???

vikram_d · 16th February 2009, 15:36

Where did you get this information from? The Airtel website does not mention anything. Also I can get through to their customer support just fine. A source for this information will be nice. Also I don't think TRAI will come up with any such regulation. Just does not make any sense to reduce speeds.

Edit: From the links posted by Eddy below it seems like the problem is only with new connections or with people migrating their rate plans. At least that is what is apparent from those links. Pretty stupid of Airtel to implement such a policy if they have actually done it.

mmmjgm · 16th February 2009, 15:38

Arre bhai, yeh fixed line/broadband/ wired line ka news hai.

Kyon darra raha hai, I have blackberry on mobile.

Clarify please,

Will be a relief.

cheers
MM

Eddy · 16th February 2009, 15:40

No, its not a TRAI regulation. Its just a white paper by airtel and have implemented the same. They call it a Fair Usage Policy.

Lots of discussion on this topic here

News: Airtel sets a limit to unlimited plans (Airtel Fair Usage Policy) - India Broadband Forum

and here

Experience: My letter to TRAI and DOT about unfair "Airtel Fair Usage Policy". - India Broadband Forum

And if you too want to join the protest, see this

India Broadband Forum - Announcements in Forum : Airtel Broadband

Airtel Narrow Mind Broadband | Facebook

@Vikram

The airtel website does mention the Fair usage Policy in the plan details under an asterix (of course)

bharanidharang · 16th February 2009, 15:44

i have moved from bsnl to airtel last week and yes there is a seperate form mentioning this. will try and scan it tonight and upload.

vikram_d · 16th February 2009, 15:53

Eddy I cant find it on the website. Can you please post that link or a screenshot of it.

harry10 · 16th February 2009, 16:13

This is complete bullshit. However as i understand this is for new users and not existing users. Is that right?
One another q- Guys if you are using 256kbps speed what should be the average download speed. Am getting 30kb/sec on an average.

Eddy · 16th February 2009, 16:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by vikram_d

Eddy I cant find it on the website. Can you please post that link or a screenshot of it.

:: Airtel :: Broadband Services - Tariffs - For You

Check out the asterix under download speeds.

vikram_d · 16th February 2009, 16:20

For 256kbps you should get any where from 25 - 30 depending on data traffic conditions.

Edit: Eddy - There is an '*' next to download speed and that co-relates to "Speed indicated is the speed up to our ISP node". What else is their besides that?

bharanidharang · 16th February 2009, 16:27

looks like its for everybody. if u go to dedicated broadband forum like broadbandforum.in you can see existing users complaining

vikram_d · 16th February 2009, 16:47

i am an existing user and I have not faced any such problems.

HappyWheels · 16th February 2009, 16:49

Darn! This is bad! If I am paying for unlimited plan at a particular speed, that is what I want. Who are they to decide my usage?

Airtel was one provider who gave me a good deal; guess I will know if to continue or not by the time I am back.

sammyboy · 16th February 2009, 16:53

The concept of Fair Usage Policy has been around for a long time now. Its just that the Indian companies are implementing it now. I used to be a tech support trainer for Direcway( satellite based internet connection in the US) and I learnt about the Fair Usage Policy used by them in 2002. Actually, I am surprised it took Airtel so long to come up with this considering the fact that they love charging you for everything

SG FAQ :: 6. What is "Fair Access Policy" and how does it work ? This article would help explain the concept.

I have seen and heard customers fuming because of this and it wasnt pleasant.
Infact being "FAPped" was a word that was pretty much used as a synonym for a certain 4 letter word

gd1418 · 16th February 2009, 17:38

I recently changed my basic 250 plan with Airtel to Rs.1599 UL (512 KBPS) plan recently. So if i exceed 15gb download then the speed would be reduced to 256 KBPS?

If so, then shifting to BSNL broadband makes sense?

vikram_d · 16th February 2009, 17:41

I for some reason still think that this news is not true.

Edit: Also the link provided by Sammyboy shows it in a completely different light. Me thinks this is aimed and spammers & their ilk rather than at normal users.

16th February 2009, 15:28	#1
romyeo4u BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hyderabad - Now Bangalore Posts: 299 Thanked: 13 Times	Airtel - Now Unlimited Plans have restrictions on download speeds As per TRAI, Airtel has started reducing connection speed for unlimited plans exceeding a certain download limit. Hence it means after you cross the CAP, your download speed will decrease This is ridiculous. Some info I have - Plan 256 kbps - UL - Limit 15GB (per month ) after which speed reduces to 128 kbps. Worst part is the customers are not informed about this "Fair usage Policy" before it gets into effect. If you dial 121 - it doesn't even go beyond "welcome to Airtel" Airtel is becoming another Tata Indicom. has TRAI started a regulation???
	() Thanks

16th February 2009, 15:36	#2
vikram_d Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,427 Thanked: 1,185 Times	Where did you get this information from? The Airtel website does not mention anything. Also I can get through to their customer support just fine. A source for this information will be nice. Also I don't think TRAI will come up with any such regulation. Just does not make any sense to reduce speeds. Edit: From the links posted by Eddy below it seems like the problem is only with new connections or with people migrating their rate plans. At least that is what is apparent from those links. Pretty stupid of Airtel to implement such a policy if they have actually done it. Last edited by vikram_d : 16th February 2009 at 15:47.
	() Thanks

16th February 2009, 15:38	#3
mmmjgm BHPian Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: BOM, PNQ, DXB Posts: 398 Thanked: 30 Times	Arre bhai, yeh fixed line/broadband/ wired line ka news hai. Kyon darra raha hai, I have blackberry on mobile. Clarify please, Will be a relief. cheers MM
	() Thanks

16th February 2009, 15:40	#4
Eddy Team-BHP Support Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Delhi Posts: 9,387 Thanked: 13,300 Times	No, its not a TRAI regulation. Its just a white paper by airtel and have implemented the same. They call it a Fair Usage Policy. Lots of discussion on this topic here News: Airtel sets a limit to unlimited plans (Airtel Fair Usage Policy) - India Broadband Forum and here Experience: My letter to TRAI and DOT about unfair "Airtel Fair Usage Policy". - India Broadband Forum And if you too want to join the protest, see this India Broadband Forum - Announcements in Forum : Airtel Broadband Airtel Narrow Mind Broadband \| Facebook @Vikram The airtel website does mention the Fair usage Policy in the plan details under an asterix (of course) Last edited by Eddy : 16th February 2009 at 15:42.
	() Thanks

16th February 2009, 15:44	#5
bharanidharang BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: Chennai Posts: 402 Thanked: 254 Times Infractions: 0/1 (5)	i have moved from bsnl to airtel last week and yes there is a seperate form mentioning this. will try and scan it tonight and upload.
	() Thanks

16th February 2009, 15:53	#6
vikram_d Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,427 Thanked: 1,185 Times	Eddy I cant find it on the website. Can you please post that link or a screenshot of it.
	() Thanks

16th February 2009, 16:13	#7
harry10 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Faridabad/Delhi Posts: 2,713 Thanked: 3,624 Times View My Garage	This is complete bullshit. However as i understand this is for new users and not existing users. Is that right? One another q- Guys if you are using 256kbps speed what should be the average download speed. Am getting 30kb/sec on an average.
	() Thanks

16th February 2009, 16:20	#9
vikram_d Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,427 Thanked: 1,185 Times	For 256kbps you should get any where from 25 - 30 depending on data traffic conditions. Edit: Eddy - There is an '' next to download speed and that co-relates to "Speed indicated is the speed up to our ISP node". What else is their besides that? Last edited by vikram_d : 16th February 2009 at 16:24.*
	() Thanks

16th February 2009, 16:27	#10
bharanidharang BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: Chennai Posts: 402 Thanked: 254 Times Infractions: 0/1 (5)	looks like its for everybody. if u go to dedicated broadband forum like broadbandforum.in you can see existing users complaining
	() Thanks

16th February 2009, 16:47	#11
vikram_d Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,427 Thanked: 1,185 Times	i am an existing user and I have not faced any such problems.
	() Thanks

16th February 2009, 16:49	#12
HappyWheels Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 4,106 Thanked: 537 Times	Darn! This is bad! If I am paying for unlimited plan at a particular speed, that is what I want. Who are they to decide my usage? Airtel was one provider who gave me a good deal; guess I will know if to continue or not by the time I am back.
	() Thanks

16th February 2009, 16:53	#13
sammyboy Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ggn/Dehradun Posts: 1,842 Thanked: 521 Times View My Garage	The concept of Fair Usage Policy has been around for a long time now. Its just that the Indian companies are implementing it now. I used to be a tech support trainer for Direcway( satellite based internet connection in the US) and I learnt about the Fair Usage Policy used by them in 2002. Actually, I am surprised it took Airtel so long to come up with this considering the fact that they love charging you for everything SG FAQ :: 6. What is "Fair Access Policy" and how does it work ? This article would help explain the concept. I have seen and heard customers fuming because of this and it wasnt pleasant. Infact being "FAPped" was a word that was pretty much used as a synonym for a certain 4 letter word Last edited by sammyboy : 16th February 2009 at 17:01.
	() Thanks

16th February 2009, 17:38	#14
gd1418 Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 3,578 Thanked: 728 Times View My Garage	I recently changed my basic 250 plan with Airtel to Rs.1599 UL (512 KBPS) plan recently. So if i exceed 15gb download then the speed would be reduced to 256 KBPS? If so, then shifting to BSNL broadband makes sense?
	() Thanks

16th February 2009, 17:41	#15
vikram_d Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,427 Thanked: 1,185 Times	I for some reason still think that this news is not true. Edit: Also the link provided by Sammyboy shows it in a completely different light. Me thinks this is aimed and spammers & their ilk rather than at normal users. Last edited by vikram_d : 16th February 2009 at 17:44.
	() Thanks