I am a software engineer staying in ector 47, NOIDA. I got airtel broadband cum landline installed mainly for accesing internet. They gave a cable modem and phone. Speed was ok as promised, 25 KBps download speed for a 256 Kbps connection. The modem runs on electricity, so I was starved of internet access for a few hours everyday due to powercuts. This became especially frustrating as I wanted to turn to net to follow cricket during powercuts.
Then I came to know of BSNL EV-DO card, which runs without electricity and gives UNLIMITED data transfer at upto 2.4 Mbps speed at just Rs 550/month. So I decided to get that and stop Airtel, which was charging Rs 600 for 1 GB data at 256 Kbps(with 150 free local calls which I didnt want).
I called them up on 31 August 09 and asked them to stop the service. After fruitlessly trying to make me change my decision, the customer care told me that I have to pay around 1200 rupees and agreed to cancel the connection. I immediately made the payment.
Two days later I got a call asking for something and I told them that I have cancelled the connection. They said again asked reasons and tried to retain me by offering me a new plan with 20% discount. I refused and asked for cancellation. After two weeks I was shocked to receive the bill for Aug-Sep. They had sent fll bill, although I had cleared everything on the date of cancellation. I called them up and complained, they said that "your connection is not canceled, we will cancel it now". Since then I am getting calls and SMSs regularly to pay the bill and on every call I told them my story. NO USE whatsoever!
Due to intense competition, Airtel’s profits have taken a hit. So they seem to have taken this route to make for that!
On a happy note:
My BSNL EVDO connection is giving me more than 100 KBps speed during day! I am downloading 5 to 6 GB data every month. I watch sports live ion internet during powercuts and and and. the best of all, I have not received any bill till date! Long live BSNL EVDO!
and for Airtel bullies, MEET YOU SOON IN THE CONSUMER COURT!