ACT >> Go for it. Review on ACT Broadband

I am an ACT customer for the past 1 year. Initially moving into a new location, I inquired about Internet connections in my area. All I heard were the Deadly dongles, and thanks that Airtel Broadband was not here.

After nearly a month of searching I almost made up my mind for those stupid dongles (those wireless 3G connections provided by Airtel, Reliance, Tata MBlaze Hutch etc)

THANK GOD

A friend mentioned about an internet connection "Fiber Optics" in our area. Although I had very little trust I got the details that it was ACT fiber optics. Went with review and asked my cable man Hathway, he said we do not provide but their ACT is very good.

ACT didn't have connections in my area. They said the local guys always create problems, cut cables etc etc (typical Indian mentality). After a month, my cable TV person (Hathway) called me and told that there is a ACT connection near your house and ask them if they can stretch a little (Yes there are few good people here too). I once again called ACT customer care and since they were over phone, I made them come to my place.

ACT extended all possible help and just for my house, installed their router in a nearby building and gave me the fiber optic connection. Paid 500 Rs as initial amount plus 2000 Rs for their Wi Fi Router Cisco Linksys e900.

My Plan:

2 Mbp's  up-to 30 GB usage .. (insane FUP :) and yes I am a heavy net browser).

Monthly Rs 799 + Taxes (around 880).

After 1 Year of usage:

I am pretty satisfied with the connection. Speed most of the time I get more than 2 Mbps except in night times when it drops to 1.8 1.7 etc

Connection problems. Yes I have faced problems but mostly due to the WiFi Router disconnecting and once they disabled my connection .. BUT .. the support is excellent. They come to your home at your convenience (Even if its late .evening around 8 PM).

Bill Collection:- Again they send someone to your house to collect it. at your convenient time say after 6:30 PM etc. Till date I have not faced any issues that I had with other broadband's.

I have used Airtel Broadband (wired) for over 2 years. Their phone conked off in a month and 2 Mbps was just 1.2Mbps. 8 GB was fully utilized within 20 Days .... BILL 1100/- per month. (Plus smart bytes charges). LOTS and LOTS of PROBLEM's, even though their customer support is good, they rarely identify the problem. Most of them leave Airtel, and we have to start explaining all over again. Billing is a scam. You get billed additionally for the last month unless u communicate properly.

BSN :- The only advantage was their bill plan was lesser than Airtel . Initially the guy asked bribe to pull the connection, which never worked most of the time, unless you are in good terms with the local support guy, u will be left without connection for weeks. I threw off BSNL within 2 months.

Net Dongles:- I have used many office dongles of Airtel, Reliance, Docomo, MBlaze, Hutch. They call it 3G ---  its just like the scam, fraud. The speed I get is 1 Mbps instead of the 5 or 7 Mbp's, depending on your range it will change to HSDPA / EDGE / 2G etc, very very VERY ANNOYING. With very less FUP's and INSANE bill amounts, thank god all the above 3g was from my office and friends. We have discontinued many.

So coming back to ACT

Pros:

-Excellent speeds - My 2 Mbps plan, on an average, I get above 2.5 ( http://www.speedtest.net).

-Excellent FUP's (up to 30 GB download).

-Excellent plans 2 Mbp's  up to 15 Mbp's.

-Excellent price 15 Mbp's (i think 50 or 80 GB FUP) for 999.

-Good service.

-Good attention.

Cons:

-Internet Security, BEWARE BEWARE BEWARE .. with this insane fiber optics speed.... NEVER BROWSE without Anti Virus ....have a VERY VERY GOOD Anti Virus (I use Norton SEP and it avoid all of them) I have WDefender and FW up as well -- I make all my net transactions so far had no issues. So  If you have a GOOD antivirus then you are safe.

-The Wi Fi Router causes problem It frequently disconnects; Solution remove the network cable, connect directly to your computer, log into act portal log off and re connect to WiFi. Heard that ACT has stopped supplying these

-If there is a power-cut, you will loose your internet. Initially they had put a battery. They say they would fix the battery at their end.

RECOMMENDATIONS to customers:

Search for ACT in your area. Try to negotiate and once you get connected, be GOOD to the customer support person.

MESSAGE TO ACT:

PLEASE CONTINUE your GOOD SERVICE. As I have observed from other services here, Do NOT CHANGE, once you get good customers.

Regards,

A Citizen - Bangalore.