Airtel Broadband... wish I could say WOW for the entire package. The product is good, no doubt- but it stops short of being great. Pity,

but I cant say wow as I have to be honest both to myself and the rest of you guys. The product is undoubtedly good, but is not fabulous. The reason for that is their service backup, which could do with some improvement. In fact, it could do with a lot of improvement, which, for Airtel, is a real surprise- their service backup in mobile sector is excellent, even best in class. Well, to be honest, that is not the case here.

For starters, the basic product:

** There are a range of options available, from 128 kbps to 512 kbps and more. I would recommend unlimited 256 kbps @ 999/- per month. While a lower plan would also do, 256 kbps is optimal as it is unlimited, is very fast and can support up to 3 parallel systems simultaneously without any impact on the throughput. In fact, I have used it on more than 3 without any discomfort whatsoever.

** The speed is fabulous, and that is a fact. Downloads are rapid, sites open very fast to give you a very satisfying time on the net. "Satisfying" because you do not have to wait interminable minutes for the site to come on your screen!

** Connection reliability: Generally very good. Again, could have rated 5 *s, but for a few breakdowns. Yes, breakdowns do happen. They have happened to me 2 times in nearly 4 months. Each time, it has taken airtel about 4 hours to fix the problem

          

** Service and Support: This area is in need of urgent and substantial improvement. The people are polite, friendly BUT do not solve your problems in the first call!!! That has been my experience. A few experiences are narrated below:

*** Getting a connection: 
      Airtel is a private enterprise, right? You apply for a connection and you get one subject to availability of the same, right? WRONG!!!! I applied for a connection, and thought that my troubles were over, that never again would my boss bawl me out for being the only unconnected location, etc etc etc etc... boy, was I ever wrong! Prompt came the call from them: we are sending someone over to connect you. Sending... sending... sending... sending... sending... sending... sending............ I call them again. Result: sending... sending... sending... sending... sending... and so and so forth. Me, I commit to my HO that we will be ONLINE, and get hammered to kingdom come for poor management. Woe is me, no airtel, no net, no mails, no nothing for interminable days. Reminded me of my Dad’s Bajaj scooter booked in Madras in 1977 and received in Agra in 1985! I call again. They say no request received! I get another hammering: you have not even APPLIED for a connection? I go myself to their office to re-complete paperwork. Same result. Finally, I pick up the cell and call up the state head {result of my telecom experience of 3 years}. Result: {after rather a lengthy and heated concall}: sending... and, wonder of wonders, they actually come to my office!

*** First steps:
      Very easy to install and start. Hassle free, and the staff is well trained

*** The first problem:
      Breakdown. Apparently from above i.e. from backbone. Committed 4 hours, done in 4. Great.

*** First request:
      Change in plan. Done in time. Great, even got a confirmatory mail.

*** The next problem:
      Breakdown. Complaint done. 
      Airtel: No breakdown. working.   
      Me: What the hell do you mean working? I am the user, and I say NOT working. 
      Airtel: Cant be! 
      Me: Is so.    
      Airtel: How come?
      Me: How in hell do I know?
      Airtel: Ok. SENDING!!! {to repair, they mean}
      Me: By when?
      Airtel: {after much haggling and talking to supervisor}: 2 hours

      Had to talk to state head to get someone to visit me, else he would have come around late     evening.

Since then, no problems. {Touch wood!}

As you can see, in some cases service has delivered, but in others it has not. That is why I said that service needs upgradation. They need to be more responsive in terms of time and empathy of and towards the customer, as a net connection is the backbone of any proffession in these troubled times. Overall, I wanted to rate the product 3.5, so I rounded it off to 4 stars. Go for it by all means, simply because it is a good product, and is generally reliable

Purchase Price (INR):

999