Idea is supposed to be older and good network. Basically it’s AT&T network which was in very early generations of mobile in India. Later it is ran by Tata & Birla. When Tata started their teleservices separately, Idea purely became of Aditya Birla Group. Idea has strongest coverage in most parts. Only this is the plus point. Voice quality is also good. Covergae is there in Lift & Basement too.
But they literally empty our wallets. Offers are not much attractive. SMS is costly. Per Paisa billing is yet another trick to grab money. Server & SMS applications are down many times. They introduced care by sms. We need to send CARE to 50505. Most of the time this is not operating.
Idea received Best Customer Satisfaction & Care awards in 2005 & 06. After that customer service became poor. If you walk in any local idea outlet, you will fell nothing good. People on table don’t talk properly. They just dont want to help you out. On customer care call too, they keep on hold for longer and most of the time solution is not provided. Even Email & Grievance support is useless.
Recently in December 09, I was on tour. I needed GPRS. I activated GPRS UL plan on 23rd Night for which I got confirmation of activation within 1hr. So I started using GPRS assuming that the plan is activated. On 25th evening, I noticed that balance is too low. I called Customer Care. They told me that balance is cut for GPRS use as Zero Rental plan is active. I got shocked. Later when I called again, they told me that UL plan was activate on 26th. Can you imagine, one gets confirmation of activation on 23rd and the plan is activated in real on 26th. I immediately requested to turn it off on 26th. They turned it off on 4th Jan. Almost 500 Rs was deducted wrongly as it was supposed to be use in UL plan. I sent many many emails, made many calls wrote to Grievance also 4 times. I requested for refund.But no solution yet.
They just called me once and told me to show that SMS into local Idea store. I did that but no solution yet.
Also now networks like Tata Docomo are providing great offers. Still they have less coverage though.
I want to switch network now. But I bought this Idea gold series no which is good. I dnt want to change no any more. So waiting for Mobile Number Portability to arrive soon.
I don’t think this Idea is changing any one’s life now anymore.