Jun 29, 2007 07:57 AM
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People
We have been using BSNL Broadband connection in Chennai at our house for the last two years and I should say I am extremely happy with my decision for opting this connection. The reasons are plenty. I have tried to list them below.
Installation:
Installation of a BSNL broadband is really smooth. You just visit their office(make sure you are on the right place. Not all exchanges sell the application form), fill in the application form, make a payment(~Rs.500/-) and submit it with them. The wait time(here in Chennai) is between a week and 15 days. We got it done in 5 days.
You are provided with a choice of Modems. You can choose between a single connection Modem or a Multi Connection modem(LAN). When I say single connection, it can be used only on a single computer, but on a LAN Modem, you can connect upto 4 machines using the LAN Cable. The price varies between 1500-2000. We got the LAN Modem for Rs.2000/-. We are planning to replace the LAN modem with a Wireless Modem, but since the speed of Wireless Modem is not known exactly, have deferred it for now.
Also, you can pay for the Modem immediately or pay it in installments. 2000 is not a big money these days, but some prefer paying it as EMI.
The BSNL guys who came to our house did the installation very quickly and there was an Installation charge(think it was Rs.500/) which was included in our landline bill next month.
*Upgradation:
*We got a 256kb/s connection, but BSNL recently upgraded it to 2MBps. This didnot attract any charges. BSNL has stacked up its equipments to meet the customer demands. Rare sight from a PSU.
Browsing Speed:
Intially I had doubts about the speed of this connection. However had a little hope as I have seen download speeds at 6.5 kb/s in the dial up. BSNL didnot disappoint us. This sunday I downloaded files at a speed of 180 kb/s. My brother says that he has witnessed download speeds at 240 kb/s. Thats really cool. If you browse at heavy usage hours[nights], the speed goes down to 40 to 50kb/s. On a average in the last two to three months, the download speed is around 120-130 kb/s.
And BSNL is planning to give 2MBps line free of cost to its customers! Wow!
*Freebies:
*The browsing charges from 2 AM to 8 AM is absolutely free. 2Am is a litte odd time. But if at all I had any major downloads, I set an alarm at 2, connect to the page, press download and go back to sleep. By the time I wake up at 6, I find that the download is done. Kewl. And from 6 to 8, I have my mail check and Mouthshut visits -). In short, if you are an early riser, you don't need to pay any browsing charges at all.
Charges:
BSNL has one of the lowest fares in the ISP sector. The charges are Rs.500/- per month on a maximum usage of 2.5 GB limit which is very reasonable.
Shifting:
When we shifted our house, it did take two weeks for them to shift the line. This is an area of concern, given the fact that we shifted within the same area. This is one area where BSNL really needs to improve.
Other concerns:
Apart from the shifting issue, we had one more concern. One day I was browsing in the morning and forgot to switch off the modem. When I came back late evening, I found that the modem was still on, but the link was not established. I tried switching it off and on, but couldn't get the link until the next morning.
Occasionally, we get this link not established problem.
Conclusion:
According to me, BSNL is by far trying to shred its Sarkari company image and trying to be competitive in this high volume and fiercly fought market. Sure, it has many more steps to climb, but definitely has established itself as the country's leader in this segment.
It’s really good to see a govt. service above / on par with the other major players and I am sure BSNL will continue to lead the ISP market for many more years to follow.
