Latest Update:-
High Lights
Quality of Program: Very Good
Range of Programs: Very Good, but still need to increase the number of channels. Some very popular and basic channels are missing in the silver pack(Rs.2500/6 months)
Low Lights: on December 30th I got a message on the TV. Upon opening it I was that an amount of Rs. 400/- is due on me. I contacted Airtel and I was told that the amount is being charged as extra cable has been used at my place during installation( Installation was done on Oct 17 and now they have woken up).
I protested saying no extra cable has been used, as the distance of the dish and my TV Set is just 18 Feet. They took note of it and ensured me that someone will check into the matter and revert. but as expected NOTHING HAPPENED, NO ONE came back to me.
Then on January 15th I got an SMS saying to pay up Rs.400/- or the service will be debarred. I called them up again and bashed them up for sending such an SMS. Also told them to come and check the length of the cable to clarify any doubts. They again ensured things will be looked into, but as expected, the telecast was barred on 17th January. This was the limit. I prepared myself to file a lawsuit against Airtel inthe consumer forum and collected all the relevant documents. As a last ditch effort I called them again, and bashed them again. I again got the issue escalated and this time a lady answed the phone. She happened to be a "Floor Incharge" I think. The issue was discussed in length and she was able to understand how frustrated I was. She ensured that she will look into the issue and sought 6 hours to resolve the same. True to her words, the issue was resolved after around 8 hours, Rs.400/- credited to my account, so now my account is showing as zero balance, which earlier was(400).
Please be wary of such mal-practices which may not be very rampant, but still exist.
Airtel Does it Again . I have been an Airtel customer for many years now. Started with Cell phone, then broadband connections and now DTH and am impressed by their Quality of Service.
I chose to wait for 1 month when I came to know that Airtel is launching their DTH Service soon. Used that time to do a good market survey and compare the available options mainly, Tatasky and dish TV. Both are fine, but I did come across issues with them both, mainly the old technology ie MPEG2 and the service issues I came to know of, with both of them.
The plan which Airtel Offers are almost at power with others except the "Movie on Demand" which DishTV and Tatasky give you. Airtel gives you none. Some of the premier channels are not available in the "Mega" pack. Infact Airtel is a touch expensive than both Dish and Tata, but I still chose Airtel cos of the following reasons:
new technology(MPEG4)
state-of-the-art Set Top Box
universal remote
Good past experience with the Brand "Airtel"
For the 4th point, they did it again here. I bought the connection by paying 2500 INR and reached home by 2 PM. called the Airtel number to register, and was given the 4PM-5PM slot for the installation, for the same Day!. The engineer called me at 4.15 PM to know the directions, and reached my home at 4.30 PM. The installation and activation was SMOOTH and within 1 hour everything was running. The activation was done by the Tech using their flashy E series Nokia Phone and before I know it, I was on.
The STB too has good features like 4 favourites which 4 of the family members can use and put their respective channels. There is a very interesting feature of HELP Channel, which plays a small clip explaining the different features of the STB and the remote and how to use the same to your advantage, which I think is unique amoungst the other DTH players in the market.
I have had excellent service with my Airtel Cell / Broadband connections from Airtel and so I see no reason why they wont continue with the same for DTH. I really feel Airtel DTH is a good RoI.