Monthly Archives: February 2006

More updates

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Reliance is almost near my doorstep. They have dug up the roads; got in their thick cables and it’s all 20 ft from the place where I live. Hopefully soon, I would have some decent options instead of BSNL. Well, someday we might just have fibre to home stuff- 100 mbps with on line gaming, file sharing, VoIP stuff all at the same time. It’s possible with today’s technology but not for a “developing” nation like us. With the likes of BSNL pimping it’s networks, we might never be able to see this kind of technology soon here.

So, it seems that their plans are on full steam ahead. Let me see if I can get some pics on line. I still have no idea about their tariffs but wouldn’t it be cool to have 1mbps for 500 per month unlimited? Or scalable bandwidth when you are file sharing or launched VoIP applications?

I am a bandwidth whore and surely there are others who have the same feeling.

On the flip side, I am missing writing all around here but life’s been twisted beyond reason. It’s ultimately the question of the career; I need to scale up my own efforts.

I shall keep you informed as usual; RSS feeds are the way to go. I noticed there are 71 readers ONLY. Is that an indication of popularity or unawareness?

No further news from CNN-IBN. I do finally agree with most of you to extend the idea beyond the narrow confines of the blog. It would do good to get some readership in order to generate a public opinion. Though, it’s very unflattering to work for a foreign owned media channel; Techwhack doesn’t have resources to get dedicated servers nor any other way to get multiple hosts to ensure that this blog is never down. We are trying to make the best of the given circumstances. These guys are awash with some serious cash. Plus, there seems to be some hassle with the CMS; I fail to understand as to why they aren’t implementing Word Press. It’s Open Source, the code is for everyone to see and setting up is a kids play. Even a BSNL employee can learn this. All they have to do is give the remote login; keep the administrator privileges to themselves like the plugins, templates et al. If they can’t do it, Techwhack can provide Word Press solutions. Yes, we’d do it free of cost for them! Though, I shudder at the thought of having any trace of Microsoft around. Puke…

The established media interests have a single minded dedication to scale up “eye balls” to ensure that their investments show immediate returns. For the same reason, I refused to run any advertisements here because it would have been an uphill struggle to ensure traffic and hope to capitalise that in revenues. Would you like to see underwear or sanitary napkins adverts here? You would see them on TV. (Interestingly, news channels haven’t aired any condom adverts so far- do they seriously doubt the viewership that it’s not fit for those?) While there has been no offer about remuneration, it would a trade off between readership and independence. The moment any post is “edited”, the deal is off. There aren’t many people who read blogs; by and large it remains opinionated and I doubt whether it has any effect on the “thinking patterns” of humans. The most inane blogs get most readership.

There is a lot more planned for the write up. As soon as I have some breathing time, it shall be up. I really want to focus on the Digital Divide for times to come. This is indeed a serious issue. Plus of course, a lot of Microsoft bashing and Open Source promotion. Once my thoughts are framed up, I shall put them here.

Surely, this blog has morphed from a “link catcher” and “telecom news” to something different. If only the Indian Telecom evolved to some decent standards.

Meanwhile, I did put up some links. One is notably on Bruce Perens and other on Richard Stallman. Both these guys are twisted in their own way but likeable all the same. Your comments are invited and welcome.

BSNL Broadband: Unlimited soon!

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As usual, I quote from the officer’s mail. The emphasis is mine.

We also are aware that there are some segment(sic) of customer for whom the unlimited plan is going to be the right choice. That’s why this case has been initiated. The details of the plan is still under deliberation and we expect it to be finalized by mid of next month.

The same will be intimated through our website, the moment it is launched. Yes, I will personally intimate you also(sic) through e-mail.

Could I have my head swelled up here? The officer himself is going to mail me back!

So now, the spelling mistakes are gone; grammatical bloopers remain. Surely, someone has read the previous posts!

I hope they make it earlier; I need the unlimited bandwidth desperately for updating through medical journals.

There are other developments too; I am restricting myself at the moment for these announcements. It’s a good feeling that my efforts have borne some fruit. Though my fingers have actually worne out tapping on the keyboard incessantly.

By the way, this mail came in after two mails were sent; the last one specifically mentioned whether there is an official dictated policy as to refuse any query from a consumer. More or less a stinker.

Once the CNN-IBN deal comes through (if at all it happens), I would DEFINITELY highlight the present impasse. BSNL remains a public organisation and these officers are public “servants”. Who died and made them God? What divine right they have to pimp their last mile access? Why can’t these officer’s be made accountable for their lapses and mental harrasment?

Tough questions but no answers forthcoming.

BSNL Broadband: Mail from BSNL

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I have decided to post the mail recieved from Mr Sanjeev Verma who is the Jt. Dy Director General(Broadband Network Planning). In the interest of fairplay and to back up my own claims.

Since Email is accorded the legal status, it is to be presumed that he wrote from an official’s perspective. Therefore his mail is on record here. It struck me to post this one here because any further communication from BSNL regarding unlimited plans isnt forthcoming. My mails have been meeting with the same silence as before.

The reply from Mr Sanjeev is as follows (spelling mistakes et al). I swear I haven’t changed anything :-D Emphasis is mine:

The 400 MB plan is a entry level plan meant for new users to get the feel of broadband. For that 400 MB limit is more than sufficient based on the usage statistics. This details is available in this website regarding the cap and the incremental charges. Moreover, the customer also have the flexibility the amount of download he has done on a per session basis.

This is detailed to thrust upon the fact that BSNL always believes in trasnsparency (!). If something is charged, it is explicitly indicated. (Well, I wish they could also claim the same thing about replying to consumers).

Secondly, the plan has been subjected to revision from the inception of broadband service. There was no free surfing in the night (fron 2AM to 8 AM)at the time of launch, but has now been offered. Secondly. earlier incremental charges per MB was around Rs 2 which has been brought down to Rs 1.20.
(For BSNL this must have been a generational shift to introduce unlimited surfing!)

Yes, there is scope for further reduction which will be done as the international bandwidth rate falls further. (No scope as yet. TRAI is sleeping over it still. VSNL needs to be reigned in. I belive that BSNL can look for alternative sources and try and negotiate the best rates for itself).

Thirdly, For the application suiting to your need, we are in the process of coming out with unlimited download plan. This will free from the burden of usage charges. (WHEN?)

Hope this answers the points raised by you.

So, the top brass is on record; they fail to check their mistakes; treat the end customer as an idiot; believe in doling out favours as in the British raj of yore whereby you had to submit your “petition” asking for favours. This bureaucratic mindset has pervailed right through.

You can direct your queries to Mr Sanjeev Verma at sanjeevverma(at)bsnl.in

You can also quote this post :-D