India Broadband

jmginbah

BSNL? No way.

I was desperately researching Tata Indicom, Hathway, Airtel and other options. The 'Broadband' connection my mother was using was kind of 'IF'fy --staying online was like walking a tightrope. Anyway, those fleeting connections at 49 Kbps are not SatIsFactorY for the stuff I needed on this two month trip. But BSNL? no way I was going to waste time after learning that if you wanted a connection you turned in your application and waited (I guess for an indefinite period.) This revelation only reinforced my long time established perception of BSNL being a typical Public Sector nightmare for customers.

But later, I was setting out on a bunch of errands and noticed the huge BSNL sign just a few yards from my house. So, Just out of curiosity, decided to walk in.

A lady at the Customer Center sees me returning the application form saying politely that I was only interested in the possibility of an immediate connection. "Your telephone number?" She waits to hear the first four digits and then proceeds to make some calls and enquiries.

Ten minutes later I storm home to get my parent's signature. My sister says, among other things. "..BSNL, you must be out of your mind.." and warns everyone to get prepared for continuation of yelling and frustration around the house - - ever since I got home a few days ago. "Call me crazy' I say, "but I I fell in love with this charming Customer Service person a few minutes ago and am going with BSNL for better or for worse-- at least for the next week."

The very next day someone calls giving me a number to reach to arrange the installation. The person I contact makes no effort to conceal his disgust and is clearly insulted by the level of urgency in my voice expecting something done right now and in less than two weeks. He says " Why Saar, yourself yesterday only sent in the Forrum ... "

It was then that I discovered the magic words. It works like a charm. I will magnanimously share it with you guys. The words are "New BSNL."

Well, the magic works and within twenty minutes someone is at the door with a box. Five minutes later, rolling around at 240 Kbps., I am as happy as a pig in sh-t.

Well, as they say, there is always a catch. I go downstairs and I see this obnoxious visitor, typical NRNRI (yes, the Newly Returned type always bitching about everything when not hassling some hapless customer support rep.) He has already whipped out his laptop and apparently bribed my niece to get him the box with the network key on it. I inform him that cofee will cost 300 Rs. from now on as I know he was shelling out 7 dollahs at Stahb'cks just to check his email-- and they don't even serve hot pakodas there.

P.S.

Well, that was three weeks ago when I wrote this.

I was wary about posting it right away. I did not want to be guilty of putting lipstick on a BSNL and pimping it prematurely. Now I guess I am obliged--at least to that charming Chennai Velachery lady.

jmg in Velachery,
Chennai.