VSNL was at the forefront of the internet revolution in India and it really has played its part in promoting the internet usage in india. it has lowered rates even when competition didnt force it.
Looking at the current scenario of the internet connections, taking a VSNL connection does have a lot of advantages. First of all the reach of VSNL is phenomenal, it is by far the ISP with most number of Nodes ( in collabration with BSNL ). Secondly the speed obtained on a VSNL dial up is truly gr8 with no other ISP even coming close to matchnig it. Further its free at nites ( 11 pm to 6 am) and on sundays. Looking at the bad pints, its help is pathetic, infact calling it help is a shame on help indeed. in the case of other ISPs the help is where they get ahead of VSNL. for example a first time user taking a VSNL connection will really find it hard to setup his account while in the case of private ISP like Satyam he has just to insert his CD and keep clicking. other thing is getting a VSNL connection is really a headache coz of all the bureaucracy.
So take a VSNL connection for its speed but expect no help and support