Thread: Clarification reqd: offer of free modem/wifi mod @ half cost only for new customers?

I came to know of an offer of free type I basic modem or type II WiFi modem at half the cost for those opting for yearly payment.
I opted for BBG Combo ULD 1000 plan change with yearly payment and this plan has become effective from 1st October 2011. I approached the BSNL Velachery exchange and obtained a WiFi modem at half cost which would be added in the next month's bill. No sooner I had reached home I received a frantic call from the exchange asking me to immediately return the given modem!!!
Upon inquiry I was told that this offer of WiFi modem at half cost is applicable only for new customers and not for existing customers!!! When I told them that no where in the bsnl website such a restriction is mentioned the officer did not give any answer but kept insisting on returning the modem. Moreover no bsnl officer at the customer service centre or SDE at the exchange ever told me that such an offer existed only for new customers. They approved the sale and only after coming home with the modem they were made aware of such a restriction by someone!!!
Upon cross checking with the Guindy Head Office under which velachery exchange comes, the officer said no such restrictions exist. I was left wondering who in bsnl is telling the correct thing?

1) Could anyone please clarify whether such a restriction - that offer of wifi modem at half cost exits for all users as mentioned in bsnl website or only for new customers.

2) For issues like this to whom in bsnl should we approach? Does BSNL have an effective complaints handling & redressal system?

3) The wifi modem offered was a Teracom model. Is this a good model? The first unit they handed over to me was found defective while attempting to configure!!!

OPTION 1
:Make an ONLine complaint here.
http://mis.bsnl.co.in/pgs/internet/pgwebregn.asp ,

Give a written reply, that you have complained at above site , giving ref number and to await clarification.
( get receipt and number in your copy from CC Velachery. ).

Option 2 : , Get a receipt for RETURN of the unit )
This will enable you to make complaint to Consumer Court if needed.

Option 3 ;
Ask/ for conversion to RENTED modem ( Rs 80/=P.M) till matter is decided. ( if you had not paid any SECURITY Advance for Modem earlier)

Para two:
Mention modem/router make/model/number.
If you cancel annual payment , you will be charged one months BB rent as cancellation charges !!!
I feel, you are entitled to WIFI model at 50%. cost.

Argument in Supreme Court !!!
( lawyer fees :' reported minimum Rs 50.000/= for each appearance in court !!!) Free here !!!
If Assumed you cancel present BB plan and later apply as above.!
( Intention same as cancellation and opting for new plan !!)
( Give two applications; one cancelling present BB connection )
Another asking for above tariff Plan !!!
You are a NEW customer !!!
Say No BB installation required
( worst case can charge Rs 250/extra )
Since Billing has not taken place Possible.
Meet the D.E or ( A.O.TR personally .

Para three:
Are you eligible for 20% discount as applicable to GOvt employees?PSU's Psu banks/State Govt/ retired Defence etc ??)
On annual payment another additional 20% to be given.!!!

Feedback!!! ITEMWISE

The complaint link given above will work. You can also give a written complaint to Nodal officer and / or Appellate authority. Address and phone no. on the backside of your bill. You can also call them and seek intervention.

Thanks for the replies/advice. I have done the following:

Called the Nodal officer and described the problem. I backed it up with a detailed email to gmsouth_chennai@bsnl.co.in.
Registered an online complaint at above mentioned link and have taken note of the docket number.

The exchange send their person today to collect back the modem - which I didnt give in to. They are very quick in such matters when compared to attending line faults! I am not intending to return it till I receive clarification. Even if I have to return the modem I will demand a return receipt.

Shall keep you updated.

Forward also the email to denibchn@dataone.in

Thanks... Forwarded the email.

Did they bring and offer an adsl modem in lieu ?
if you return the wifi model ??

Offer for both free basic type I & type II WiFi modem at half rate is applicable for only new customers. Existing customers are not eligible for both offers it seems.
So far I have not got any reply or calls from bsnl for the registered complaint. Till I get the clarification I don't intend to return the wifi modem.

Presume you had your own modem, and did not get the FREE ADSL modem for this plan on Annual payment.

Also BSNL did not offer one in lieu of the WIFI router.

Wait two or three days.
What was your old tariff plan. ??
Tell Bsnl you opt out of Annual payment and return the
wifi modem.
So No free ADSL modem or WIFrouter on 50% payment.
Ensure you are not charged for cancelling annual payment option. bill( as not billed . so far )

Ask Bsnl whether if
around end of month you surrender your Broadband connection.
and then apply as a New BB customer in November you get the wifi router on 50% payment!!!

You cannot use old ID/PW to log in.!!! will get new one.
No installation charges as using own modem.

Waiting for clarification from bsnl....
Dealing with bsnl is a messy process. The people at bsnl are good & cooperative but unfortunately most of them don't know the rulles, offers, procedures etc... They sincerely want to help but they themselves are in the dark. So the more we have to interact with them the more frustrated we get!
Hoping things would get sorted out with the already registered complaints. Shall keep you updated...

Received call from officer in charge of compaints...
Confirmed that this offer is applicable only for new customers. He has asked the concerned department to update the bsnl website about the offer.
So the wifi modem is to be either returned or go in for full payment.
Hope the Teracom WiFi modem is worth the money....

Confirmed that this offer is applicable only for new customers. He has asked the concerned department to update the bsnl website about the offer.

He is bluffing. Website instructions are not changed by a NODAL officer ! He cannot give direction to BSNL HQRS
Till it is amended BSNL should follow present rules given in their website , which does not specifically mention about NEW BB connection. ( Not allowed for Change of tariff plan by present users )

Still you have not answered the other option.
Surrender present BB connection.

Apply again for a BB connection .
Are you a New Customer or Old customer now ???
Or should you apply for a new Telephone connection ?
(Collect all the refunds later . when presentL/L is surrendered).
to be considered a NEW customer ?

Ask Nodal to give their BSNL circular no and reference .
I will check up in local exchange and update later.

I visited the BSNL Guindy head office under whose jurisdiction Velachery exchange comes. I spoke to the CRO who showed me the circular instructing CSCs etc not to issue advice note for the said offer effective from 12th October 2011. The reason is that there is a shortage of modems (both types) & so they are restricting this offer to only new customers. They are restricting the number of modems dispatched to exchanges & franchisees. This circular is applicable only to Chennai Telephones & hence the bsnl website would not be updated.

Moreover bsnl plans in the near future to stop sale of both type of modems.
Considering this surrender of BB connection would not be an option as I might not get any bsnl modem at all.
So based on all these informaton I have decided to buy the wifi modem at full cost.

SUMMARY:
I came to know of an offer of free type I basic modem or type II WiFi modem at half the cost for those opting for yearly payment.
I opted for BBG Combo ULD 1000 plan change with yearly payment and this plan has become effective from 1st October 2011

How circular dated 11th October is valid for you ?
retrospective Date ?
Your are denied an (a) ADSL modem Free of Cost
(b) in lieu wifi model at 50% cost

Hope BSNL ( Chennai circle ) will not ask other users to return the modems/ WIFI routers issued under these schemes starting from year 2007 !!!!!!. quoting circular dated 12th Oct 2011

Thanks for the latest INPUT.
.
BUT you are foregoing an ADSL modem if issued earlier and later exchanged by you for wifi model ( for opting for Annual plans.)
( You have not mentioned this in any post )
with ADSl modem you can buy a wifi router in the market for
price approx Rs 1400/= ( Check in MERCY's Electronic shop)
Netgear wgr614v9 . DLINK etc

So based on all these information I have decided to buy the wifi modem at full cost.

This offer was introduced few months ago. It is now they have amended the offer. BSNL's claim is I approached them after the circular was issued so what is current is only applicable.
Yes they offered a basic modem but not a new one. They would give a refurbished basic modem with 1 year warranty. I was not interested in this.
The wifi modem they offered is Teracom T2 Gawv1 4U10Y BI . Is this a good wifi modem or should I go for a adsl modem / DLINK router as you mentioned?

YOU should take the ADSL modem offered FREE , as part of your annual tariff plan.
.
The present modem you use
Is it on rental basis or outright purchase ?

Even if you buy wifi router from BSNL replacement is only for ONE YEAR. Later they will say we have discontinued purchase of the models and Sorry , we cannot replace it , or ask you to send it to the company!!

If you have an adsl modem in use better to buy a 3-in 1
Iball Baton wR6111A router for same Rs 2000/= or so.
( some have 3 year warranty) or a wifi router.

Please open new thread for selection of wifi routers/ or combo
adslmodem+wifirouter.
http://www.ebay.in/itm/iBall-Baton-1...-/170699109380

Thanks for the support & informations