Thoda Hai..Thode ki Zaroorat hai... Review on Reliance Mobile Operator

Its finally out, the self acclaimed critic in me has finally said a good bye to its hibernation mode and is back to rattle your brain with a ‘forgive me please’ review.

If you are my fan (a 0.001% possibility J. You might have observed that most of my reviews are focused on cellular service providers. Reason is quite simple. I am a big SMS (here I mean Short Message Service and not Systems Management Server, though I love the latter too)freak and anything that offers cheaper sms is devoured by Me !!

So whats good in Reliance ..

First thing first, I am talking of Reliance prepaid ONLY and those who make quite a lot of STD calls…Postpaid ka na to koi experience hai na mujhe lena hai)

Reliance is the first private CDMA player and has more than 40 million customers across India..atleast that’s what their ad says. Taking nothing away from it, I believe it has been instrumental enough to lower the calling rates with its entry into the mobile market much against the wishes of Airtel, Orange…Err Hutch..no no Vodafone…yeah)

If you thing cheaper handsets and cheaper calling rates are the highlights of this service, then let me tell you boss…You are absolutely RIGHT !!!

I live in Bengalooru and already have a BSNL Excel prepaid connection..(much against the wishes of my corporate friends who swear by private cos like Airtel and Vodafone).

However, with its usage, I found that BSNL is the costliest cellular service provider in India. Yes you heard that right…I stay firm on my stand…BSNL is the costliest service provider in India. I shall validate this statement in my next review on the PSU.

Sha..phir se drifting away from topic. Coming back to Reliance, Instead of giving you review that Reliance is a cheat, money sucker etc etc, I shall put down my views as follows:

(All points mentioned below are considering Karnataka, especially Namma Bengalooru Circle)

Network

Airtel rules the roost in case of network in Bangalore. Reliance comes second. Vodafone and BSNL are as always competing to display the “Network Busy” to most of its customers.

Reliance has a very good coverage and the digital voice clarity is something to appreciate. But as popular belief goes, Nokia handsets deliver a better output as compared to LG. (don’t even consider classic unless and until you have a habit of charging your cell after every call). There are a few areas where you might find the network signals breaking into a disco, but that’s quite rare and take it from Me, at such areas except for Airtel, you wont find any other network provider.

Handsets

Pathetic as ever, reliance continue to shows how to showcase the most pathetic handsets as the cheapest and the best ones in the market. These handsets especially the classic ones provide dual benefits

• They can be used without problems for a month

  
  




• Then you can use the same as paper weights or hang it in front of your house to waive off evil spirits :P

  
  

I would recommend to go for LG 3000 or 3100, the two decent handsets from LG. The only difference between the two is the presence of Radio FM in the latter. I am using reliance RD 3000 and quite happy with its long battery life, good looks and voice clarity (though nokia is the kingmaker in voice clarity)

I made Anil Dhirubhai Ambani richer by Rs 1400 when I took LG 3000 but is now available at a special price Rs 999/-. I just wanted a use and throw piece but now I use this as my primary handset. The best thing about this handset is that it comes with a U-SIM which is similar to a GSM SIM. The only difference is that, you can only use Reliance U- SIM and none other.

Offers *

Jaado….Jaado…Jaado…..Naah, Me not humming the Koi Mil Gaya jingle but that’s what Anil Ambani calls what Vodafone calls as Value Pack.There are quite a lot of offers for prepaid. I am listing the ones that I find most affordable.

Rs 199 Lifetime Offer.

Recharge with Rs 199 and you get a lifetime validity. Now, lemme guess your next question? Is it worth to go for reliance lifetime which would have costly rates such as:

Local Calls @ 99 paise and STD calls @ 2.65.

Don’t fret, applicable from June 11th, 2008 you can migrate to a new plan which offers local calls @ 99 paise and STD calls @ 1.50 paise.

To migrate to this plan, send an SMS “NEWPLAN” to 51234

You will migrated to the latest tariff within 48 hours..but it happens within few hours.

Secondly, you can club all Jadoo Packs with lifetime prepaid…that’s what I adore about Reliance…Long validity and cheaper call rates.

There are many Jadoo Packs available, For Local you have Jadoo 33, Jadoo 49 and for STD we have Jadoo 79 and Jadoo 98

I don’t endorse Jadoo 496 though it gives Reliance to Reliance free anywhere in India, since it makes STD calls at other networks @ 1.50 and all local calls @ 99 paise.

The best plan….and the one I endorse.Go for Lifetime Prepaid + Jadoo 98 + SMS Pack

Lifetime Prepaid gives you a long validity..atleast till 2021 (this may differ in other circles). After recharging with Lifetime prepaid, recharge every Month with 98 Jadoo Pack and Rs 30 SMS Pack.

This combination offers the following benefits

Local Intra Circle calls to Reliance Mobiles: 0.33

Local Intra Circle calls to Reliance Hello (Reliance Landlines): 0.33

Local Intra Circle calls to Other Mobiles: 0.49

Local Intra Circle calls to Other Landlines: 0.49

Inter Circle Calls (STD) to Reliance Mobile / Reliance Landlines/ Other Mobiles/ Other Landlines: 0.99

Recharging with Rs 30 SMS pack offers you 400 Local SMS free to any local mobile every month.

STD SMS is still Rs 2. No concessions as of now, though postpaid has an SMS pack of RS 60 with offers 1000 SMS free to any mobile in India.

Also, from Jadoo 98 offers Rs 20 talktime which makes the effective montly rental of Rs 78 or 108 (if you combine it with SMS Pack)

Now since you have lifetime validity, recharge with full talktime top-ups (Rs 201, Rs 301 and Rs 501 which give you full talktime.

The Bad Bad Thing:

Unlike Airtel, BSNL or Vodafone, you wont be shown how much the last call was charged. To be fair to Reliance, CDMA does not support flash SMS display..so cant expect this feature unless until they upgrade their technology. However, I have found their prepaid billing accurate. You need to dial *367 for balance.

Or else, just press *225 after each call. Wait for 4 to 5 seconds (you will hear an IVR stating thank you, which I am tired of listening) and then disconnect. You will get an SMS stating your balance and your expiry date including the expiry date of your Jadoo Pack (called as Special Talk Voucher, STV)

Review continued in Comments.