First things first :
update on 18th feb: I understand through my friends
that the 55% int-op-charges payble by rel to other operators like bsnl etc., towards std calls will be
charged additional to 600/- pm . I will post the details
soon
I did not use the r.i.m till now and
only trying to present the analysis of their tariff.
1)though their language in the brochure is confusing their 400 min includes all std calls to any phone numbers (bsnl, mtnl) but will add some op charges which is 55% of std charges . for dist >500 km this works out to be <
bsnl-bsnl charges for a rim customer upto 400 min and slightly more after 400 min slab is completed. This we have calculated with the worst case scenario ( 16 sec pulse / off peak hours / Rs 1.20 per pulse) for peak hours as the bsnl rates go up the savings with r.i.m will be more visible and prominent
2) we plan to replace the bsnl land line with r.i.m. but beware we have another company provided land line which will continue to be there. so people calling us from bsnl lines will use this line first. else they will end up paying int-op-charges again and they will not like it.
3) we plan to try internet with this which will not be possilble on other mobiles.
4) our monthly bill is nearly ~500 Rs\month. and out monthly consumption is 200+ pulses (200*16 sec ) std
+ 200-250 pulses(*3 min) for local calls and internet including failed login attempts. we hope to gain here because
a) we will not pay isp
b) the pulse rate is only 15sec(<400 min) and 1 min
c) the speed will be better compared to 3kbps which
we get with land line +satyam isp(supposedly faster)
d) some content may be available without browsing
(may be free) like if your forward ur mails to
email address which they provide. and other news
etc.,
the -ve pts I feel is
you can not have parallel line(ext spks may do?)
not sure about prices of internet cable and drive software
may be we have to upgrade to usb port computers since
the normal serial/parallel ports may not be compatible
their defn of roaming is not seamless. but it may still
serve ur purpose for most of the time. if you go from place A to place B you can request them to forward your calls coming to A to your new number(which they provide) at
B. will do the basic but not substitute to regular roaming.
otherwise I think if your billing is ~500+ or so and planning to replace landline it may not be bad idea.