Now it works, now it doesn't... Review on Airtel Mobile Operator

Am being forced to modify my review on Airtel due to a dramatic increase in call drops, voice breaks and overall fall in quality of service. Customer support remains ok and the irritating unsolicited SMS-es have almost stopped following repeated instructions. Looks like the leadership position is making them complacent, or is it that Mr Mittal wants to sell out without making fresh investments?

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This is the earlier review:

This is one company whose share price had dipped to half its IPO level and is now around 8 times its IPO price! Of course, the market has something to do with it, but the fundamentals are definitely the key drivers. Wish I'd picked up some stock at the half-price level!

Airtel, like all other cellular service providers, has had its share of ups and downs and there are users who curse it. However, haven't heard too many of those recently.

My own experience with Airtel since we moved to Bangalore was patchy in the beginning in terms of network and voice quality. That was for a few months when we were staying on the edge of civilization and they were skimping on installing new towers.

To their credit, however, Airtel's customer service has always been very polite, helpful and ready with the right answers. Whoever's been at it has done a great job of picking and training these folks.

On the second count of infrastructure, Airtel (at least in Bangalore) has moved well with infrastructure that's better than the other 3 service providers including Hutch, Spice and BSNL. As I've said before, I've heard customers who use the other three cussing their respective providers like hell, but nary a peep against Airtel.

Billing seems ok, although my bill does always seem higher than it ought to be: but since I've never really bothered to go through it carefully, don't really have the right to complain.

On the whole, this seems to be one company that's pumping money back into infrastructure and people (even if they're ripping off customers a bit) unlike the others who seem to be cutting too many corners.

Will be back with another piece if there are reports of fall in service levels in our circle (of friends!)