The new offer of Reliance, called 501 offer is with extremely high call rates. It is not Rs.500 offer but has Rs.200 extra for rental for the wallset for 3 years.
I compared this with the other prominent provider Tata (Here in Chennai). (Non Chennaities also can conclude similarly for Reliance as the scheme for Reliance is all India)
Tata has come out with Rs.999 offer.
Here is the comparision of both the companies. And, Also details on the charges....
One thing is common in all the schemes....
The charge for the handset is Rs.199 extra for both the companies. This is normally not mentioned by them. But, Be aware. The rental is payable for 2 years only for Tata. For
Reliance it is for 3 years. Thus, Reliance customers pay Rs.2, 388 extra for the handset... This itself is a major cost against Reliance.
(1) Basic Schemes Compared
Operator Tata Reliance
Plan Fee 295 249
Free Usage 125 Min. Rs. 100
Outgoing Charges beyond free calls (Rs./Min)
To Fixed Line 1.00 1.99
To WLL Mobile 0.80 1.00
To GSM Mobile 0.80 1.99
Pulse Rate Secs
To Fixed Line 15 60
To WLL Mobile 15 60
To GSM Mobile 60 60
(2) Medium Schemes Compared
Operator Tata Reliance
Plan Fee Monthly 450 399
Free Usage 400 Min Rs. 150
Outgoing Charges beyond free calls (Rs./Min)
To WLL Mobile 0.70 1.00
To Fixed Line 0.90 1.99
To GSM Mobile 0.70 1.00
Pulse Rate Secs
To WLL Mobile 15 60
To Fixed Line 15 60
To GSM Mobile 60 60
(3) Premium Schemes Compared
Operator Tata Reliance
Plan Fee Monthly Rs. 599 500
Free Usage 700 Min Rs. 160 (400 Minutes @ 40 paise)
Outgoing Charges beyond free calls (Rs./Min)
To Fixed Line 0.80 1.00
To WLL Mobile 0.60 0.40
To GSM Mobile 0.60 1.20
Pulse Rate Secs
To Fixed Line 15 60
To WLL Mobile 15 60
To GSM Mobile 60 60
From above, note the following conclusions...
- The call rate is very high for Reliance. It is double that of Tata in the basic scheme. Thus, on an average usage, monthly bill will be atleast Rs.100 to Rs.200 extra. This is
additional cost working against Reliance.
The pulse rate is 15 seconds in Tata (except GSM). For Reliance, it is 60 seconds always. This will also result in high phone bill for Reliance Customers. On an average, the Reliance customer will pay twice the pulse rate than the Tata customer. 15 second pulse is a very good thing. So, Phone bill for Reliance customer will be extra Rs.200 or so. (in addition to above...)
Tata gives more free minutes monthly than Reliance...
(The above tables may be difficult to read, as Mouthshut’s format is only text)
The conclusion is very clear. Reliance’s scheme will lead to very high call charges. Also, the rental for the wallset is for 3 years as against Tata’s 2 years.
Reliance says they offer the following 3 plus points. But, on close examination, We find that these are not plus poits at all. These can be ignored.
Reliance’s wallset is better. But, for almost everyone, the basic functions in Tata will do.
Reliance offers internet. But, practically using it is painful and slow. Tata says such handsets with internet facility will be brought by them shortly.
internet option is not usable as of now.
- Reliance offers a modified & convulted roaming (u get a new number for each town). This is illegal and under dispute with Trai. Tata is expected to offer this once the decision by Trai is known. If banned, Reliance will have to stop it.
Reliance has proved that they are a bad provider, with the following two instances.
The interim order of TRAI has made the BSO’s responsible for offering the STD rates in total to the customer. This will effectively make impossible for reliance to offer this Re.0.40 / minute STD option as of now. Whether they will absorb this remains to be seen. Locking into a provider with THIS ADVANTAGE is not advisable, as tomorrow Reliance can remove Re.0.40 - STD citing TRAI order.
Reliance has made all those ’pioneer’ customers a suckers by now waiving club fee of more than Rs.3, 000. The ’pioneer’ scheme was offered as a ’one-time inagural bonanza’ to be grabbed in life time. Now, Reliance has proved that actually Pioneer scheme was a rip-off. If I were you, I will be fuming with this stupid company who misleads the customers like this. They should refund those monies and ask the customers to choose a new scheme now. If they are honest. But, Reliance is not best known for this quality.
Jayaram