K3G : Koibaar Khushi Koibaar Gum
I have been using BSNL Pre-Paid card i.e. Excel for the last 3 years. I have used Airtel, Hutch and Idea also. A Hutch Post-paid is currently being used by me.
As this article is for BSNL, I shall focus on BSNL only. I shall attempt to be objective and unbiased in expressing my opinion as I have mixed experience of BSNL.
A word of caution. My exposure is limited to above mentioned 4 cell operators and in Gujarat / Maharashtra only, my opinion may vary with my other mouthshut friends.
Following are the advantages:
No hidden charges - what they ask they charge, nothing more than that. Thats all.
Most economic - It is the most economic in its class. Needs no explanation, you can compare. My comparison is based on Hutch, Idea, Airtel and Reliance tariffs.
Suitable to all - Its teriff suits everybody from low user like housewife/students etc. to heavy user e.g. business / service class.
Sizable talk time
Coverage in the remotest village. Private operator sees revenue and avoids going remote village, whereas BSNL being oldest player (in landline) has little to spend to set up towers and hence can afford to go to remote village. I remember an incidence of picnic : At Sardar Sarovar, Narmada, Kevadia Colony, only my mobile was operational. All my friends were out of coverage area.
Coming up with various festival scheme. E.G. Currently you will get Rs. 500 talk time against Rs. 551 spent by you.
Following are the disadvantages:
To start with the last advantage, i.e. (Advantage 6), the scheme are some times not reachable to common customer!!! e.g. Diwali scheme - buy 2 recharge voucher and get 1 recharge voucher free was not available to common customer. Also, the schemes are not properly communicated.
Recharge vouchers are not easily available compared to its competitors’.
Again refer to advantage 5, there is a corresponding disadvantage. Although BSNL signals available in all the places including villages, there is very low signal strength. While you are in a house or closed area, you have to rush to nearest window, balcony or other such open places. Same is not the case with other private operaters. So, BSNL is Everywhere weakly and others are Somewhare Strongly available!!!
BSNL signals are inconsistant on highways. When you approach a village, you will have good signal strength and the same is weak otherwise. Whereas private operators, being focussed on urban customers, are supplying good signal strength in cities and highway.
Network jamming. I am witnessing problem talking outside network number of times. Sometimes, my two phones (one private operator / another BSNL) are not able to receive each other calls. My parents calling from outside, can easily get me on a private operator phone and find it difficult to connect on BSNL.
So, it is a mixed bag. You have to make a choice between : economy and comfort. A suggestion : If you can keep two mobiles - BSNL for outgoing amd Hutch/Idea for incoming, it shall be the best combination.
This private / Sarkari (Government - Although now BSNL is a company) combination is successful for me and I am happy with it!