For all years I used airtel prepaid connection, I really liked it. I am using current connection since 2 years. Month back, I got a sms from airtel to try out 3G services in Bangalore from them on my phone (Samsung Wave s8500). Its a 3G compatible handset. So, I decided to give it a try. I paid around Rs. 104 to get 102 MB 3G data plan valid for 1 month. During activation I asked them to help me out if I need to make any changes to my phone settings. But they said, nothing is required and I would be able to use it.
I surfed on my handset for few days, but suddenly my voice account balance became zero. I got suspicious and later realized that airtel charged me on main(voice) account for surfing. I tried to reach airtel customtakeouter care, through 198 and 121, but I wasn’t able to reach them.
Whenever automated voice reply came that your call will be forwarded to customtakeouter care executive, it can be recorded for quality purposes and I will be charged some nominal amount for it, my calls were getting dropped. I dropped a mail at airtelprsence@in.airtel.com, after few days I got a reply from them that they will call me. The lady at customtakeouter support (Sovi, 9871999470) now told me that I need to make some changes in setting at my handset to be able to use 3G as per plan. I changed the settings, but even after doing that change they were charging me on my main voice account.
Next, I went to airtel relationship center next to maharaja hotel, I told them about my issue. They told me that I would need to make some changes in setting of my phone, but they dont know how to do it, I would need to go to some other airtel center. Now, I got really frustrated, and told them I am not able to reach customtakeouter care. he told me that no one is able to reach customtakeouter care through handsets, I would need to go to some airtel center and make a call using their landline. Few other customtakeouters were in queue to make calls, so I left for home.
Later, I again mailed airtelpresence about my issue and got a confirmation that they would call me back in few days. Rahul Sinha(9717894317) from airtel called me and said that they charged me as per my gprs usage. Damn I am saying that they should charge me on 3G plan. He also informed that Airtel customtakeouter Care Policy has changed, and as per the new policy for prepaid users if you have called customtakeouter care 3 times in a day, you wont be able to reach them for another 7 days, and all calls leading to customtakeouter care would be dropped automatchandru021y. This is ridiculous, guys I am trying to reach them, now they are not even picking up my call.
1 month is about to get over and I am not even able to use 3G services, on top of that there is no support for prepaid customtakeouters. I want to beat them up and lodge a complaint in consumer court too. Dont give a try to airtel 3G services, as they are not ready to help us. I guess Docomo and Vodafone would be better option, if they can provide good coverage. What more can I say, I am really frustrated with their service and I am planning to move to docomo or vodafone.
Thanks for reading,
Anil