MTNL TRIBAND Sewa Main Aapka Swagat Hai!
Consider this a very Dry review. Probably I soaked it the sun and all the moisture vanished!. I badly for sometime wanted to change from my existing service provider - MTNL. And here’s where MOUTHSHUT.com comes in handy. So just sharing some notes I’ve made in search of that new service provider.
Before moving ahead some info that I got from others (for those who aren’t aware)
1. Effective Plan speed - Divide the speed by 8 (sometimes 10) and that’s the effective speed of any plan - Ex - If a plan offers 256 kbps - Th effective speed is 25 kbps. Usually most plans mention the maximum speed. -To put things in context - Avg size of a Song is 5 MB should be downloaded in 3-4 minutes which is good. - So I can download all of Urmila’s Songs now :P
2. Ideal Speed - If you’re just surfing the net - Checking Emails, MS.com, a speed of max 15 kbps would suffice which means a Home plan of anywhere between 60-120 Kbps is good enough. If you’re downloading music, youtubing - Then somewhere around 25 kbps and above would ensure continous streaming.
3. Low Index - I checked Speedtest.com and again our ranking in terms of speed generally available in India - We are ranked some 122 globally. So can’t expect much from any provider.
Why I wanted to change?/ -ves of MTNL
1. Frequent Disconnections - You have to reboot your modem several times. - A problem that Is clearly evident across most reviews of MTNL in MS.com
2. Patla Malai - At times when your connected the connection is very thin - Means that the connection kinda is slow and the speed varies. The speed varies throughout the day - Worst at noon - but at night you can excpect bittorrent speeds of 20-25kbps
3. Customer Service - Krpya Hold kara, Aap Katar main hain, Please Hold, You are in Cue - You are in que till the point your bladder bursts!
Most to all -ve reviews on MS were with respect to Poor service(expected of a Govt. co.) which is True - I have been using this service for 4 years/since the time of launch and there is absolutely no service even in the 4th year running
4. Installation - Getting it installed initially then was a problem - And I have no problems greasing an Under paid employee with Rs 200/- to ultimately get my connection done.
5. Not Waterproof : Basically it does not perform well during rains and so does the phone!
6. Copper cables - I was told that MTNL would mostly use Copper cables even till the point of the Data exchange center while pvt players may use fibre optics at several high density areas. Copper cables may not perform well during rains - This a just secondary info I’ve recieved so hope for others to bear me out.
Options available
1.. Reliance - The ADAG Group inspires confidence and Trust! Too good to believe so I dropped it!
2. Sify - After Sajith’s review? Never! SATYAM - The name inspires T-R-U-S-T!
3. Tata Indicom - (MS Recommendation- 13%) Very expensive in Mumbai - Also they have different price plans and discriminate in terms of Density of service - So pick them if the density of the service is high as their offers end up being cheaper followed by better customer service and more reliable cabling work.
So it’s Airtel v/s MTNL
Airtel - MS.com Recommendation - 58%
1. Customer Service seems good - I called them and they told me specific societies/Buildings in my area to which service could be provided - Prompt and efficient. But alas they don’t provide the service in my building! :(
Although yes there were plenty of reviews that clearly stated "Cheat/Chor / Mis-selling /Wrong billing/Poor service/Fraud/bad sales/city specific complaints" on MS.com. - So this made me very skeptical of the service - But for it’s cheaper price plan and otherwise several satisfied reviews I did consider it. Also many from many "Complaint/-ve reviews" there seems some intention on Airtel part to have resolved the issue as well post some trauma.
2. Price Plan (Mumbai) - They are very Cheap. Best price plan - Rs 798 NU which includes unlimited Night download - given that most of are in office during the day. Also most price plans are bundled with Landline offers which is again very cost effective. But Like I said - Any billing issue - Then the guy is out for me! Irrespective of quality of service!
Else if your a millionaire like Sidz_B :P then go for his price plan of Rs 2222 Speed combo - You see he is a Rich Guy! Barclays card, this Airtel Plan - The only thing Poor about him is Bandi -Poor (PJ I know...I know) :(
Why I’d Pick MTNL? - MS.com Recommedation - 60%
1. Transperancy - I am willing to tolerate the poor customer service(above mentioned cons) as I don’t have to bother on being "cheated" or "wrong billing". Also their price plan does not discriminate between different areas. MTNL is Transparent - No hidden/overheads kinda stuff. Govt. Company - So the art of misselling is yet to be mastered
2. No location restriction - Unlike Pvt players they don’t have the limitation of area specific service and is easily provided.
3. Price Plan - Existing Plan - Rs 999/- p.m. @ 256 kbps and unlimited download. We had for the most period a Night Unlimited(12 am to 8 am) plan of Rs 590 with 1GB max download and Rs 4 per extra MB and Rs 80. No the pricing seems fair for Mumbai.
4. Unlimited Data Download - I need this feature since downloading does consume most my activities online. They have several cheap price plans for this need starting from Rs 999/- for 256 kbps to Rs 1500 for 512 Kbps.
Note - They do charge Rs 50 as Modem Rent - Under the Unlimited download plans the Modem Rent is charged.
The Cheapest Plan though is Yes Sidz Plan as for Rs 2222 you get 8 mbps! :)
Ideal Option - Change your MTNL plan to Rs 99 pm for only incoming (as the MTNL bill is an Important document) and swtich to Airtel Rs 798 NU plan as it is much cheaper. Also many Non Ms views of Airtel have been good where ever I’ve seen their service present.
Again - I don’t think their the best service provider but given various options - MTNL would be the best amongst the worst
Other Decent plans - If your just surfing and not downloading the Rs 500 combo plan with phone would suffice. Please refer below link for other price plans
https://mumbai.mtnl.net.in/triband/htm/tariff.htm