NOW?? NEVER!!!. Review on Now ISP

THIS REVIEW ON N.O.W. (Network Of the World), IS STRICTLY BASED ON MY TV-CABLE OPERATOR’S CLAIM THAT HE HAS TIED-UP WITH N.O.W. TO PROVIDE “CABLE-INTERNET” TO OTHERS AND ME IN MY BUILDING. IF I AM MISINFORMED, I APOLOGISE TO N.O.W. FOR DRAGGING THEIR NAME IN THIS.

Modern day usage of Internet, invariably ends up in HEFTY telephone bills. Hence, I was on the look out for a good Cable-Internet Service who would provide good connectivity and good speed. I was not looking for a very high-speed (Broadband, or DSL) connection. (not after the experience with DishnetDSL anyway https://mouthshut.com/readreview/3282.html) I would be quite satisfied something that gave a better speed than the one given by a good dial-up service (like say VSNL). The person providing TV-Cable service in my area contacted me that they had started providing Cable-Internet. No Telephone Charges, connectivity: On-line 24 hours a day, and 5-6kbps download speed, all that for just Rs.1000 per month. (One Time Installation charges of Rs.3500 extra). I immediately signed up for the service. Within the first week itself, all claims went flying out the window. Connections would break down twice every three days, download as well as browsing speeds were pathetic. I would get download speeds of anywhere between 0.70 to 1.5kbps. While browsing, a page like “YAHOO” would take more than 1½ minutes to download completely. That IS pathetic compared to just about 25 to 30 seconds using VSNL dial-up connection. Within no time I stopped my subscription.

A couple of months later my tv-cable operator approached me again claiming that he had tied-up with N.O.W. for bandwidth, and that since N.O.W. had their own gateway, and did not have to depend on VSNL for bandwidth, All earlier problems would be sorted out. Depending on my experience for service provided by him for TV-Cable, I agreed to give him another try. From a choice of about three or four different schemes, I opted for a committed download speed of 5kbps for Rs.1000 per month. I must admit for about two months or so everything went quite smooth. Sure there were problems, occasional drops in speed, occasional breakdowns etc. But, most times the problems WERE rectified reasonably promptly. THEN things began to deteriorate. Breakdowns were more frequent, in fact , it reached a stage when, the breakdowns would occur, on an average, two to three days a week. Speeds began to drop to pathetic levels more frequently (download speeds of only 1 to 2kbps as against 6 to 8 as committed by them), they would remain slow for days together, what’s more, it stared taking longer and longer to get problems rectified. I got fed up of repeatedly complaining. Contacted the cable-operator and told him that I would start reducing the monthly charges (which by the way were collected on Quarterly basis IN ADVANCE) for all the days that his service remained “down” on a pro-rata basis.

This is when he had me talk to one Mr.Bhushan Thakkar, who he claimed was the “technical-person” from N.O.W.. Mr. Thakkar heard my complaints, regarding slow speed, breakdowns etc. he inquired which OS I was using, if I had any download managers or not, about all the network-settings etc. After taking all the information, he promised me that he would take care of all problems. Things went well for a few days, but then, again, it was business as usual, pathetic speeds, this time even lower, down to 0.70 to 1.5kbps, as against committed speeds of 6 to 8kbps. Again, I complained to my TV-Cable-operator (TV-Cable Operator, because he was the one to be contacted in case of any problems), who in turn MADE me speak to Mr.Bhutan Thakkar again, who in turn, once again assured me to rectify the problem immediately. This time however, he made me another offer, he offered to give me very very fast speeds at night, (from 10pm to 6am) if I paid him just Rs.200 extra per month. He claimed he would keep the whole pipeline open for all those who agreed to take advantage of this offer, and we would be sharing the whole bandwidth between us. Since there were only three others who had agreed to take this offer, it would guarantee download speed of at least 40kbps. I thought it would certainly be worth it, and agreed to take up his offer. BUT, the fast speeds lasted only for a week, and then, after a week, even the night-time-access (as they called it) started giving download speeds of about, 5 to 6kbps. Whenever I lodged a complain, the speeds would improve, but, only for 2 or 3 days, after that it would go back to the same pathetic levels. Tired of complaining repeatedly I stopped the night-time-access and continued only the original one, of committed 5kbps scheme. This is when the attitude of Mr.Bhushan changed drastically. He became very rude and negligent. The speeds started remaining pathetic (1 to 2kbps) permanently. It started taking “forever” to rectify breakdowns. Twice when I complained, Mr.Bhushan Thakkar rudely replied that this all he could offer and that whether there was commitment or not, if I was unhappy I could look for another ISP if there were any available in our area.

I immediately unsubscribe their service. Gathering from my own experience, I think people at N.O.W. are living in the babu-raaj days of yore. Corrupt and monopolistic attitudes have prompted me discontinue their service and go back to good-old dial-up connection.

.....Continue to ''COMMENTS''