India Broadband Forum

vikramv4u

Guys,

Please beware that nowadays the new problem that has hit the scene is the stealing of WiMax antennae. Now don't ask me why this is happening, or wat will the robbers do with the antenna, but whatever it is, there have been multiple complaints of this sort in the last month itself (Acc. to someone in Tata).

So let me come to the problem. I am a victim of this and my antenna has been stolen. As you would expect Tata guys are non-supportive on this and they are askin me to pay us Rs. 7000 for that antenna (for no fault of mine).

So my questions:Questions:I asked Tata the following:Why should i pay when the equipment owners are Tata? Why is there no insurance cover for the equipment? For a faulty (easy to remove) installation by Tata, why am i responsible? What should i do next?File a FIR with the cops --- but the cops are refusing to take down my FIR (as it becomes a headache for them) Find a replacement (Faulty would also do) antenna --- but from where??? Any SUGGESTIONS?

Any concrete help regarding this would be very helpful. Ideally, i don't mind picking up another WiMax antenna (even if its a faulty one and i don't mind payin some money) as a replacement, so as to settle my case with them. Can u guys please suggest any place where i can get this antenna? i reside in Bangalore.

Thanks...

smoothvibes

[B]According to Tata Indicom Broadband Terms & Conditions
you can check the details here Tata Indicom Broadband Point #4

When it comes to terms and conditions, then Tata is really very clear about it and you can not even file a case against Tata as you signed up terms and conditions form at the time on subscription.

Apart from that you can not give another stolen or faulty box to Tata coz before replacing it they will check the S.No of the box and will match it with the S.No available in Contact Center (i know this because few days back i got the antenna replaced as it was faulty).

In this case there is only one option if you can visit office of Tata and talk to some one over there, you may like to get the matter settled with them otherwise need to pay the complete amount.

vikramv4u

i know i have signed up the terms and conditions.. but i will file an FIR and let the cops do the needful. If they can't find it (after how much ever time) then we shall see, because i don't think they had enough security while installing the antenna.. Just one nut and bolt does not suffice according to me.. and since i don't own the antenna, why don't they have insurance cover on the same? Or conveniently, they DON'T WANT to take insurance as they want to extract money from the customer ha?

kumaravelmani

hi vikram,

even i m facing the same problem.

i have been asked to pay 7000/- against missing antenna.

is your problem got sorted out.

i dont know what to do now. pls tell me how your problem got sorted out.

tusharch

I do not have a wimax connection, but would like to share sum info on antenna cost. If u look at international computer shopping websites, the cost of wifi / wimax panel antenna is approx. around 60 USD i.e. approx. 3400 rs. Considering the fact that electronics are cheapest in US, add 30% more .. so cost wud b definitely not less han 4000 rs. (Cost of basic USB wifi dongle is around 800 rs. )

I am curious if there is a possibilty to buy a normal wimax antenna from the market and install it in place of yr stolen antenna. For this u need to ascertain that the Tata antenna which u previously had did not have any proprietary digital or electronic circuitry. i m not sure, this is just a suggestion, as i dont have a wimax connection.

If u remember, in olden days we had TV's with antennas, which we could replace ! I assume that the antenna is only used for catching wimax signals, and all other electrnic decryption ciruitry is in the CPE.This way, u may be able to atleast access the net without paying 7000 bucks for the time being. Of course, you may need to pay it when u surrender your connection. aslo, tatas may not attend to your service calls if u have yr own antenna.

smoothvibes

This is not possible mate as you can not put the correct sectors (values) on that WiMax antenna, for correct configuration you need support of Tata guys and they will not give you access to internet with any unsupported device. There is no escape in this.

for more details on this you can even check Terms of Services by Tata.

tusharch

thanks for the info vibes.

canceratme

I am also facing the same issue where in my antenna got stolen in the day time. I suspect that it is taken away by tata indicom service agents but they are claiming they did not. Now they are asking me to pay Rs.7000 as per the T&C.

Now the interestng part comes. I went back to see the T & C that I signed. To my surprise there is no such thing mentioned in the section 4, under ownership of the equipment. Under this section, there are only 3 points (a,b and c) and they did not mention anything about stolen/damaged antenna and about legal proceedings.

These 2 points are missing in the T & C which I signed.

d. In case the CPE is damaged/ stolen then the customer agrees to pay Rs.700/- towards the wireline CPE and Rs.7000/- towards the wireless CPE to TCISL. In case of theft of Ethernet Cable, customer agrees to pay Rs.200 towards replacement charges.

e.Upon failure to return the equipment or the cash equivalent by the customer as mentioned above within 30 days from the disconnection, TCISL shall initiate suitable legal proceedings for the recovery from the customer and the customer agrees to the same.


If anybody has received legal notice or paid the amount, please update with more details.

smoothvibes

Mate for your intrest there is something which you forgot to check in your Agreement.

Please check Terms of Service

panchabhut

After going through this thread I would definitely advise people to exercise caution while deciding inf avour of WiMax option.

canceratme

--
Vibes,
Thanks for the reply.

The T&C which I signed and explained above is as of June, 2009. But as per your initial note, this was there from March 2009. The missing section of June 2009 hard copy was there from March 2009. So they have not given the updated copy of T&C in June. Who is at fault? Were they not supposed to give the latest copy of T&C?

Gaurav Rao

ha ha ha.......................stolen...
so iam telling opt for wired broadband connection..