Why Free Reliance Data card offer makes no sense…

First Half of this article shares my experience at Reliance Webworld and second half tells you why I did not buy Reliance Datacard. [Jump to Second Half Directly]

Also be sure to read: Sony vs Dell vs HP ..comparison of various laptop brands

There's a free Reliance netConnect Data card offer with most of the Notebooks (HP Pavilion, Lenovo etc).As one such HP Pavilion buyer who was entitled for a free Reliance netConnect data card, I did some research on the feasibility of this offer. This post tells you why this “free” data card is not so free and doesn’t make sense to pay over 3700 Rs for this “free offer”.

I had read several negative opinion about this product and subsequent service in several discussion forums and communities so was extremely reluctant to spend Rs 3700 (The cost of so called “Free” data card and three month mandatory subscription.)

However I decided to check out the offer and registered in HP website for the claim. After few days my registration was conveyed to Reliance and I got several mails from different executives in various reliance web world outlets in Hyderabad. I responded to one of them and asked what all they need. Besides standard stuff like address proof etc he insisted I should submit Original product label with serial number from laptop box. I said I’m not going to give that and eventually he agreed for photocopy.

Next I went to their shop in Ameerpet and asked executive there for a demo. He said they can’t give demo now and I need to come after 2 days. One customer who had bought a new laptop and was configuring his reliance datacard there. I asked him if he is happy with the speed and performance. He replied in negative.

Next I went to Reliance WebWorld in Panjagutta. There the lady at the counter agreed to arrange for the demo, a store boy brought an old laptop from inside and switched it on, but he couldn’t login to internet because it was not accepting the password he was entering. After several attempts he closed the notebook and kept it inside. The lady told “Sorry sir, some problem is there. You pay the money and submit the application now; we’ll deliver the card in two days” I insisted on a demo so that I could check if the speed is sufficient for my requirement. The rep said “speed is very good sir, 128 kbps” I asked “I know it wont be that much, tell me what speed I can expect” He couldn’t respond. I asked further “Ok, tell me, how much time it will take if I have to upload a 1MB file as attachment?” He said “not sure sir but that wont take much time” That time another customer came there and opened his newly got datacard and tried connecting to net using it. This is the statement store rep made to the customer: “Sir the software needs 30 minutes to get activated. You need to install the CD, restart the notebook and wait for 30 minutes” Eventually he closed his notebook, pocketed the data card and left.
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Because of these experiences, coupled with following facts about wireless internet, below are the reasons why I didn’t opt for Free Reliance Data card (and recommend not to go for it)

1. Wireless internet is in its infancy in India. Though this has huge potential, the operators are hesitating to release enough bandwidth for internet usage, because 99% customers are voice users, hence most of the available bandwidth is kept for mobile communication. Its like egg first or Hen. If they increase bandwidth and give good speed and service many people will subscribe,(Mobility is very nice to have. For the same speed and reasonable price people would prefer wireless internet compared to broad band) but operators do not appear to be willing to do so till they accumulate enough subscribers, this in turn diluting existing customer base.

2. For the reason stated above the wireless connectivity speeds are pathetic (they claim 128 kbps, but for all practical purpose it will be just around 3-5 kbps or even less).Browsing at this low speed will be a pathetic experience. (You might just be able to check your mail with that. Don’t even dream about uploading/downloading a 2MB attachment.)

3. Since wireless internet offers high mobility, it is suitable for people who keep traveling a lot and need net connection just to check mails or browse latest news etc. Home users who watch videos, upload/download files, do a lot of net intensive activities (like online gaming, video chatting etc) will feel wireless internet suffocating experience.

4. Connection speed during peak hours will be of no practical use. Speed will be good if you can get up at 5 AM in the morning and browse, because number of users at that time is likely to be minimal.

5. There’s huge complaint about Reliance customer care. At any given point of time, in any reliance web world you can see one or two customers complaining with the front desk executives about one thing or the other. These executives are trained only to collect money and give receipt, for any complaints, best they can do is give you a most reasonable excuse. Shouting at them will be total waste of your time and energy. These front desk representatives neither have the technical skills to resolve your concern, nor have the managerial authority to compensate you/provide alternate solution. Complaints of excess billing, poor service etc is also rampant with Reliance. (Remember: मेरा बाप का सप्ना - सब का पैसा अप्ना…)

6. Reliance Data card regular schemes start with INR 650 monthly rental. But with this free Data card offer, I don’t have the option of subscribing for just one month by paying 650. I need to mandatorily subscribe for full 3 months, pay rent all in advance, without any commitment from Reliance on quality of service/buy back offer/refund option. The moment I make the payment, I can start regretting.

6. With such a slow speed, your productivity will be hit if you have to wait for few minutes for each page to load or a mail to open. So if you have an option, avoid going for wireless internet at this moment.

I've not purchased this card. To read opinion of a blogger who has bought this card and is not happy with it, read this,this and this post. Final Verdict: DO NOT BUY.
Tata Indicom appears to be relatively cheaper (less than 3k for one time purchase and rentals starting at 125 Rs per month) and better (10-20kbps)-I’m checking on it currently. Home based broad band are best option, unless mobility is your primary requirement.

Since India has huge population, these companies manage to stay in business as they can continuously find new customers to make fool of. What do you think?

Info Bytes: What is USB? What is PCMCIA? Which one is better?
USB cards can be used for both Notebooks and desktops while PCMCIA cards can be used only in laptops having PCMCIA slot. (The image of data cards shown in this post are of PCMCIA cards). PCMCIA cards are inserted inside the slot and only antena will be outside, hence looks good, while USB ones will be protruding out of USB port and look messy. Not all notebooks come with PCMCIA slot, so USB ones give better flexibility.

Updates: Corporate Customers of Reliance do get a slightly better service, most probably because Reliance might have dedicated bandwidth for corporate accounts (huge money is involved there, they dont want to loose that)
Further, latest price of Reliance netConnect Card (USB/PCMCIA)is around INR 2800 for direct purchase without any offer. If you pay one year rent in advance you even get fee Datacard. But beware, that will be like jumping in daylight into the well you saw in the night.

Related: Sony vs Dell vs HP ..comparision of various laptop brands.