2 Main reasons I use BSNL
No roaming charge
One year Data pack of 9GB for Rs1500. Cost per day works out to be Rs4.1 while the regular rate for 1 GB a month of 3G data on other operators is Rs250 for 28 days, hence Rs 8.9/day.
BSNL requires continuous validity extention otherwise number becomes non-functional, even with a lot of balance. I once lost around Rs300 because I let it lapse, thinking that only the net pack gets over, unaware that my validity is also tied to it.
Cons
Spotty coverage
20% of the time, not net
25%, 2G
30% slow 3G
25% Very fast 3G
A lot of drop calls at one point of time.
Luckily, in my exact place of residence, coverage is better. But when I go to other places, is much worse. Only reason I have stuck is that I don’t travel much, so in my neighbourhood, the internet’downtime’ is acceptable.
Customer care: Used them once. 2 drops calls and a long 3rd call later, issue resolved.They spoke in Hindi, and broken English. Keep that in mind if it will be an issue for you.
Bottom-line: I have been on Cellone/BSNL network since Oct’13. I am happy when at home or nearby, but the moment I travel(e.g. frequent visits to Mumbai), really bad internet plagues me. In fact, sometimes no net!
I’ll stick to it as long as I am at my current location. If you are consiering BSNL for travel, I wouldn’t recommend it. But if like me, your neighbour tells you that their reception is decent, and if your usage is primarily in that area, I would recommend this cost effective TSP.