Hi I would like to share my experience with Airtel. I had taken Airtel Magic sim in May 2003 and everything was fine for a month.
But of late their service has become the worst. When I call my friend on BPL mobile here are the 2 messages I see on my cell
Network Busy
Number not in use
And when I use my friends cell who uses Dolphin service I get connected in one go.
Then they announced a scheme till sept 30 where in they charge Rs.49/- and you are allowed free sms till sept 31 on local GSM mobiles, 3 Numbers of Airtel absolutely free for you to dial (you have to provide them the numbers while registration).
Now here starts the fun I dialed 121 their customer support and heard something like
THE CUSTOMER CARE LINES ARE CURRENTLY BUSY, PLEASE TRY AGAIN LATER.
Saturday Aug 30 : And I tried again and again and once got connected after 10 mins and then there was an auto message kindly hold the line till we divert you to our customer support, another 7 mins on hold, sucks, hearing to the airtel hold music, is the worst, people see me holding the cell and maybe thinking I am hearing music on Reliance cell.
Anyways this is Aug 30, Saturday and I register for the scheme and am told that the numbers and scheme will be activated in 48 to 72 Hours and they say to call them after 48 hours to confirm.
Monday Sept 1 : Its nearly 6 pm and I decide to ring 121 and ahhh there goes same old story except that I am on hold listening to their hold music for 15 MINS. Finally a customer support guy comes and I inform him I was told to confirm about my activation. He asks the 3 Airtel numbers which I provided while registration, I said I dont have it right now written on a piece of paper and they are stored in the phone book of my cell. Anyways he finally says it will be activated by tomorrow, Tuesday Sept 2. Lets move ahead to 72 hours.
Tuesday Sept 2 : In the evening I call 121 again to be harrassed listening to their hold music. Finally get thru their customer support only to hear that the scheme and 3 numbers are not activated and I have to give the 3 numbers again. I call them again later and give them the 3 numbers but I ask the reason for the delay. Here is the reason NO. 1
DUE A HOLIDAY ON SUNDAY THEY DONT COUNT SUNDAY IN 48 TO 72 HOURS (This is just to fool customers, just see what happens ahead)
Finally I am told by Wednesday evening ie Sept 3 the service will be activated with my free 3 numbers.
Wednesday Sept 3 : This I get thru their customer support 121 faster than earlier I mean I wasnt on hold much this time around listening to their bugging music. I ask the cust support personnel as why the scheme isnt activated, and here is the reason NO. 2
’’OH SORRY SIR, THERE WAS TOO MUCH LOAD ON THE SERVERS AND YOUR NUMBER TO BE ACTIVATED IS IN THE QUE’’
So it was said that it will be activated at around midnight 12:30 am Thursday.
Thursday Sept 4 : Around 10 am I give a call and find my activation hasnt been done and the reason is the 3 free numbers which I am suppose to have been lost, Ah another reason.
Airtel it seems is now competing with Reliance for the BEST WORST SERVICE AWARD and I hope they win it.
In the last 1 month the service too has gone very bad, network busy and number not in use is what I get most of the time.
On the other hand my friend who has a Dolphin card, his service seems to be improving all the time. And my friends who have Orange also dont seem to have any problems.
This is the last time I am using Airtel, its finally goodbye Airtel.
Lakhon ke baatein Aur Karodo ke Waade, Subah hui to Airtel se Ek Phone ke Wande
That is their new theme, I hope people think twice before going for Airtel.
Bye
Abdullah