This is what I have been driving at. Get the mass of people to gang together and complain en masse. Only then these companies listen.

I am linking to an interesting story from BBC.This is related to the Android update from Vodafone. Any emphasis is mine.

Last week many customers who own HTC Desire smartphones were prompted to download a software update which they believed was an upgrade to Android.Instead it installed irremovable Vodafone-branded apps and bookmarks, including links to dating sites.

It was crapware from the world’s largest company. People got on line to vent their frustration and anger on it’s forums.

“What really really annoys me is that Vodafone think of themselves as one of the biggest mobile company’s in the world…. however they in one day have managed to annoy most of there customers by spoiling a brilliant phone.”, wrote one of the customers on the forums.

Finally as BBC reports,

Initially, Vodafone refused to back down saying that it customised phone software to “optimise customers’ experience”. However, after several days of complaints it has capitulated to its customer’s demands.

This is what is needed at the helm of affairs. People expect a messiah to come to them to get rid of the crap but none of them is willing to go out and fight them out. This is the sad state of affairs because I have to admit that the reach of this blog is limited. Which makes it practically useless to make the morons sit up and listen.

Nevertheless, it is heartening to see the mainstream media report such a thing. I truly wish some of the mainstream newspapers to pick this and flog and skin these bastards alive.

Tags: android, API, crapware, froyo, mainstream media, Media, Mobile, Telecommunications India, Vodafone, Vodafone sucks

As per the media reports, the mobile number portability is delayed because BSNL and MTNL were not ready for it.

In any case, I am toying with the idea of filing a second RTI application but my attention is fixated on academics and it would be impossible to keep a track of the same. In case anyone among the readers feels motivated enough, please let me know through feedback on drapuri (at) gmail (dot) com and I would happily guide the way out including help with drafting of the application.

Trust me, you’d feel very happy with the process to move the sarkari machinery in motion to respond to you. The idea is to inundate these idiots with RTI applications and make them realize that their own regulations are being flouted.

The context of the RTI application should include pointed questions towards mobile number portability, relevant orders to the same, procedure outlined, whether the telecom operators are filing compliance reports, copies of those reports, penalties to be imposed on operators who delay, cause of delays and what action has TRAI taken to ensure compliance with the erring operators.

This is important because TRAI’s own rules are being flouted, mobile number portability would have benefited the incumbent operators and the biggest losers would have been the Government Operators. With delays in capacity expansion, BSNL is already loosing market share. But then, who cares?

The entry of private operators hasn’t really shaken up the market. With perhaps per second billing as the highlight of the year, there is nothing else to speak of. In any case, it would not result in “drastic savings” because of the complex interconnect and termination charges. We don’t really know how we are being scammed.

A further highlight of the proposed RTI application can be the break up of the call rates and the scope for reduction of the same. The operators are dependent on voice revenues to a large extent; data and VAS accounts for a growing percentage of revenues, but as per media reports, not good enough to impact the bottomline in any significant manner. Therefore, the scramble is on to protect the cash cow; at any cost because the customers can be MILKED.

The big question really is: How much profit is really profitable?

Tags: Assholes, BSNL, delays, DoT, GUI, Idiots, Media, Mobile, Mobile Number Portability, MTNL, Opera, scam, Screwheads, Telecommunications India, TRAI, TRAI sucks, Vodafone sucks

It was a big long drawn fight against Vodafone Essar India. I have documented this here, here and here. I want to fight for the next level of transparency in the sector because information is not flowing in freely and it is a big hassle to know about the status of the complaints.

I have already documented that each operator needs to file a compliance report with TRAI every quarter including the action taken on the same. I had to push the company to act based on the threats sent as I insisted that they be made public using RTI. It was a “threat” alone which did the trick.

Further, the nodal officer and the appellate authority system doesn’t seem to be working because they are company officials. Even though it is mandated that all complaints be addressed in a time bound manner, it doesn’t happen so. What is the way out?

Department of Telecom is going through it’s own hassles with CBI raids in connection with the huge telecom scam related to auction of spectrum. I don’t foresee anything coming out of it (nor it’s worth reporting here) because it is just political arm twisting. Those officials are useless anyway; in that case, DoT is out of question.

That only leaves us with the option of TRAI and the idea that it needs to be more proactive in enforcing it’s own regulations. This calls for a concerted action against the errant officials because the companies are focused only on customer acquisition and not customer retention. Mobile number portability MIGHT change the service scenario a bit but I am being cynical about it because the exit and the entry barriers would be unfair to customers; unless the ensuing events prove me wrong. The charges for plan migration have yet not been defined; we as customers should demand a “pro-customer” outlook and not whims and fancies of fat cats dictating terms to both Government and Media.

On a happy note, the network coverage in my premises has vastly improved in all areas of building making it a hassle free experience. It took time and effort but it was worth it.

In the process, I learnt about the bad corporate ways too. And recounted it all here

Update (27/10/2009):
I got a call from the Vodafone Network people asking me to send across a mail of “appreciation” for the “good work” that they have done!!

I countered that by asking them to send across the details of their CEO so that I could cc to them as well! Strange kind of assholes indeed!

Tags: Appellate Authority, Assholes, author, CEO, Department of Telecom, DoT, India, Media, Mobile, Mobile Number Portability, Opera, Pathetic vodafone, scam, Screw Vodafone, Spectrum, Telecommunications India, TRAI, Vodafone, vodafone Essar, Vodafone India, Vodafone sucks