Arun 795 Report post Posted May 7, 2004 TechTree.com May 6, 2004 Reliance has tried to equip the 'aam janta' with mobile connections but at a cost. Techtree probed into the matter further and found out some interesting facts. Currently Reliance billing offers a host of features, such as… billing rates for STD Rs.40 paise (from reliance to reliance handsets only.) - Sms messaging service free for 3 yrs from date of inception of scheme. - Reliance Internet and Web world services offer free Internet surfing for the first month on every new phone connection. - Reliance also gives free discount coupon booklet, which has discount coupons valid at various places around India offering discounts ranging from 10 to 25 percent or more. - Outgoing airtime rates are considerably cheaper if compared to GSM based networks. These features would attract any average person looking for a mobile connection as compared to other network services. However the real dilemma starts once the user realizes that he cannot change his phone handset or scheme, which he is free to do on a GSM based network. With every handset that a user buys, a 3 year scheme is slapped on, chaining the user to the handset for the entire duration. These exchange, transfer cum upgradation schemes, which are available, are primarily targeted at those existing users who were under the Dhirubhai Pioneer offer ie: Rs 3,350 scheme or even the post paid schemes. The schemes are as follows: 1.Upgrade to colour display model such as the LG-7130 or the Samsung SCH A563. For this, one has to pay Rs.14, 000 and 17,000 respectively after deducting the exchange rate. One can even opt to pay Rs.5001 for both the handsets, the only difference being, that the user would be paying a higher rental rate than what he was paying earlier. For example, if the user previously maintained a commitment of Rs.600, he now would have to pay Rs 800, in the case of LG, or Rs.900 for Samsung. The increase in rental rate according to Reliance, is levied as "Clubman" charges, which is a fee the user has to pay for opting to use a higher featured handset. 2.Upgrade to colour display cum camera model such as LG-7230 or Samsung RCP which costs a whopping Rs.20,900 and Rs.21,900 respectively. If the user wishes to surrender his old phone then under the 'upgradation cum exchange transfer scheme', the rates are reduced to Rs.17,900 and Rs.18,900 respectively. This means that in both schemes the customer has no option but to opt for a new feature rich handset, which costs a lot more. If the user wishes to save Rs.3350 approximately, then he would have to undergo the trouble of finding another user himself. And to top it all, to avail of the colour handset scheme of Rs.5001, the user has to pay Rs.2001 to Reliance and the person whom the user transfers his phone to, has to pay Rs.500 as transfer charge. Even if the user decides to surrender the phone he/she still has to complete paying the balance rentals for the remaining months. Interestingly, the colour handsets haven’t been available with any of the dealerships for nearly 4 and half months, which gives the users no other option but to go in for the more expensive colour display camera models. In short, Reliance schemes and billings may be cheap and affordable, but their strategy is as good as a "venus fly trap plant". Therefore 'Kar lo duniya mutthi mein', works more for Reliance than for the janta. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Greens 21 Report post Posted May 7, 2004 All the informations provided are not correct (Especially the exhchange schemes). It's better Techtree.com gets clarified with Reliance Infocomm before publishing the datas. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
anujit 0 Report post Posted May 7, 2004 Apart from some figures being wrong - my question - WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO QUIT??? Specially if you use data & roaming & long distance services RIM has the best value for money not to mention services no matter which rate plan you're on!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
niket 0 Report post Posted May 8, 2004 It seems form last some news items that Techtree.com has some prejudices for Reliance. They should get facts first. It is better if they provides balanced views. This is not actually a news story also. In short, Reliance schemes and billings may be cheap and affordable, but their strategy is as good as a "venus fly trap plant". Therefore 'Kar lo duniya mutthi mein', works more for Reliance than for the janta. Above sentence is just a crap. Yes it is right that there is no easy way out. But who need that.. Ya handset change is real prob.. reliance should think seriously on that matters.. because I know many guys who off from reliance only because they can't easily change handset... they have money to spend on phones so reliance should come up with better(EASY!!) handset change process. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chirag 5 Report post Posted May 9, 2004 Did any of u'll check out today's (May 9, 2004) SUNDAY EXPRESS?? Read the article on Page16 in the Supplement called THE SUNDAY STORY And u'll feel good Coz not just reliance has cranky billing problems! Each and every top operator in India has the same problems of excess billings and Credit Limits! Hope ppl from Techtree and such other credible websites do more comparitive analysis than target a single operator. Anyways i dont really mind it, coz the ppl who need to mind it are just not concerned abt such reports! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Arun 795 Report post Posted May 9, 2004 Those who don't subscribe to Indian Express, check out the news online here ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
