My gated community has a contract with these people - What do I do??

[fedexp]

Ok.. I've been using Beam cable for 4 years in Hyderabad- and I am a heavy internet user - (download/upload a lot). Beam cable, ignoring the occasional downtime, is an excellent value based ISP - I pay 1500 for a consistent speed of 15MBps and 40GB download limit and 4MBps after 40GB.

I will be moving in into new flat in a gated community and I was told that they have Reliance Broadband here. Other ISPs do provide coverage, but the builder tells me that they have a 3 year contract with Reliance and all flats get Reliance or nothing else. I hear they have like 1mbps or something for 1000 rupees. That's like a joke in a city like Hyderabad where you have ISPs like beam.

Reliance and I have had so many issues in the past (be it broadband, insurance, or anything else), and I have no interest in even looking at their rate card for broadband.
My default opinion is that they are fit-for-nothing, useless, and pathetic company.

I would like your help here. Were you in this kind of a situation before, where your area had coverage, but your builder says that they have a contract with a particular ISP? What should I do? Internet is a huge part of my life, I cannot settle for providers like Reliance. Is it even legal to not allow other ISPs and their cabling just because your builder doesn't want to see wires in his project? Should the flat owner association do something about it? Please let me know if you've handled this kind of situation before.

[fedexp]

any suggestions, people?

[essbebe]

How the Reliance connection is given in each flat ?
Like an extension telephone port/cable TV
How about DTH TV ? Again One dish from Reliance and feed all
flat owners ?
consider USB 3G data card as stand by Internet connection.

Para two:
The three year contract with Reliance might have been made by the flat complex Promoter to Save on internal wiring costs for Telephone basically ! and binding contract on all owners/tenants.
Legally not valid. Check expiry date of the contract.

But Society can prevent you from using open wires coming to your flat.
If you are buying the flat , opt out.

Check any one has Airtel/BSNL telephone.
They usually use the PVC pipe to conceal the wires connection and ADSL Broadband connection availed.
A junction box also might have been installed.

Phone must be Reliance/ DTH/BB also from same company ?
Fit case for complaint to TRAI!!!

[fedexp]

essbebe, Thank you for the excellent answer. It helps a lot.
Regarding your questions:
How the Reliance connection is given in each flat ?
Reliance connection is given as end points/ports for phone and internet (the piping is done through the walls and floor before installing paint/tiles. All you have to do is plug to these outlets.
How about DTH TV ? Again One dish from Reliance and feed all flat owners ?
DTH is not a problem - they are ok with any DTH - I don't have to stick to Reliance. I was told that the dish would be on terrance, hence, wiring would not be a problem, unlike broadband where you have to drag wires from outside the gated community.
consider USB 3G data card as stand by Internet connection.
My average usage is about 5-10Gigs per day. I do not think there are 3G data cards out there which can offer unlimited plans at good speeds.

The three year contract with Reliance might have been made by the flat complex Promoter to Save on internal wiring costs for Telephone basically ! and binding contract on all owners/tenants.
Legally not valid. Check expiry date of the contract.
The contract expires in 2 years.

But Society can prevent you from using open wires coming to your flat.
If you are buying the flat , opt out.
We don't have a society, yet. Hardly 30 families living in around 500-700 apartments. More than half of the flats are still under construction - I believe we have about a good one year before all that flats are occupied. So, the builder has not turned over management to the society yet. And, I have bought my flat already

Phone must be Reliance/ DTH/BB also from same company ? Only Phone and BB are reliance. DTH is optional.

Fit case for complaint to TRAI!!!
If I were to complain to TRAI about this - would it be against the provider (Reliance) here?

[essbebe]

unlike broadband where you have to drag wires from outside the gated community.

In your location, check whether Overhead telphone lines are used , or U/G. Check nearby houses.
Here in my flat Reliance gave a telephone and BB connection via the terrace !!The cable is only a RJ11 and not thick as for DTH or cable TV.

With No Society, or Secretary for the Association
Check up with BSNL/AIRTEL whether they can give Telephone and BB
connection to your house/flat. Talk to your builder. Reliance does not OWN the internal wiring to individual houses /flats.
This is similar to Electric power supply to each flat.
From a common Main board.
(also a common piped LPG gas supply in future )

The Internal connection from the REliance JUnction BOX to your flat
has to be removed and connected to the other ISP.' s Junction Box.

With only four flats, we have both Airtel and BSNL junction boxes.
Usually builders approach the ISP to bring in U/G their cables and create a Junction box about 4 feet from Ground level.

Make an application to BSNL ( without mentioning Reliance etc )
No need to log in.
http://udaan.bsnl.co.in/ check their reply. usually within a week.

Case : Internal wiring( concealed) for POTS ( plain Old Telephone System )phone is becoming a rarity. with cell phones widely used now.
Reliance also promoting WIFI broadbband ( Netconnect/ 3G usb modem etc )
Since you have purchased the flat read the conditions again.
Persuade the Builder about your special requirement.
Argue communication can break down if only one ISP provides the Phones to all. ( Say for an emergency call etc/ power failure / etc. )