I took a Hathway Broadband connection in AECS Layout, Kundanahalli, Bangalore on 14-Mar-2007. It was a prepaid 3 month 512 kbps package. Although I knew about their bad service, I had to opt because of non-availability of other ISPs in my street.
- Connectivity: You can connect only about 15% of the times in the peak hours(6 to 10 PM and 7 to 11 AM weekdays and weekends) and about 50% of the time on non-peak hours(other times). Unlike other ISPs that show a slow download/upload rate at peak hours, this does NOT even connect.
Call the customer service and you’ll get a standard reply - "The Link in your area is down at this time and it will take 5 hours to fix it".
Speeds: Download speed average is about 70 kbps(promised 512) and upload is even lower.
Reliability: Gets disconnected atleast once every 10 mins, so now download of files possible unless you are tech geek and use tools to continue downloading on frequent outage. Expect to unceremoniously getting thrown out when chatting with friends or speaking with loved ones over net phony.
Office connectivity through VPN, WTS: Don’t ever imagine working from home over this connectivity.
Now Bharti Airtel is providing broadband here and I’ve already applied for it. Planning to discontinue Hathway forever.
I’ve also written a mail to their CEO and Bangalore helpdesk briefly pointing out their service levels. not expecting any replies though.