Revision 6: Dated 17th October,2003 :
Disadvantages : Most of the claims are misleading or pure Hype.
Exit policy : Worst. Nobody checks the policy for exit properly and signs the contract and becomes a bonded labour.
Reliance Mobile is basically a WLL(Wireless Local Loop) Network facility
generally meant for replacing fixed landline telephones which have perennial maintenance problems. Having internet
connection and restricted Roaming facility, it is not a perfect mobile as it was wrongly understood by many
customers.
Monthly outgoings: SMS free,call rate of 40 paise per minute etc. are valid strictly for Reliance to Reliance
mobiles only.SMS cannot be sent to any mobile you want.As on date, you can send SMS to Orange and BPL mobile phones
besides Reliance Mobiles. However,it is not free.
Hand Sets :(Rs.10,500/- M.R.P.) :LG or Samsung : In Samsung, Hindi SMS can be sent but receiving capability exists or not
is to be confirmed from the receiving party.
Although LG has a better screen pixel rating, Samsung has
more number of ringing tones. Samsung's DC power supply
could be working on SMPS mode as it appears from size and
weight.Samsung (85 gms.wt.) is smaller in overall size than
LG (83 gms.wt.).
R-World : Video clips : On the handset's screen, one cannot
distinguish between Amrish Puri and Amisha Patel.However
when used along with a PC, it is okay.
Inner Circle/Outer Circle : Maharashtra and Goa come under
first category. Contacting Outer Circle is more expensive.
Probable Monthly Bill:(For Rs.3350/- deposit option) One
simple example on the basis of tariffs published in T.O.I.
dated May 27,2003 with the following assumptions:
1.Total calls made = 400 minutes duration. Out of these,200
minutes calls are local and rest 200 minutes calls are STD
beyond 500 KMs in outer circle.
2.Again out of 200 minutes calls, 150 minutes of Fixed Line
Network(land line calls),45 minutes of other Cellular
Network and 5 minutes of Reliance mobile calls.
3.No Non-Reliance SMS and no Roaming facility used.
The monthly Bill will come to Rs.1134 (including Rs. 600/-
monthly charge of Reliance).
For Rs.6350/- option : The bill will be Rs.1034/-
Could be plus point : For new options,internet connection
is free upto September end.If your all friends and relatives
have Reliance Set then only it will be very economical.
Certain facts about Reliance Mobile:
1.''Karlo Duniya Muththi Mein'' :Certain locations or pockets
are still cannot be reached using Reliance Mobile. Since a
few days, Kalyan has come in the network circle of Reliance
Mobile.
- Many things (like call forwarding charges, roaming
facility charges, connecting charges etc.)will be clearer
once the outstanding Bill for the month of May comes.
3.''SMS Free'' as per advertisements: Not true:
4.Mobility of Reliance Mobile goes off during transit.
5.Roaming Facility (Temporary Subscription System or TSS)
:Once you reach destination city, to activate your Reliance
Mobile you will have to first dial *440 to register. Then
through SMS you get a new number.Then dial *444 and then
indicate number of days you want to stay there.Then dial
445 and give follow me instruction giving your original
number followed by your new temporary allotted number.
Do you pay anything extra for this ? Yes.
How much per minute ? Reliance does not have answer as on
date.
6.Exit Policy : Very much Customer Un-friendly.
7.Solution for those poor people who were lured into the
trap and already purchased Reliance Immobile without going
through the comments/feedback available in mouthshut.com?
Solution 1 : Go to Consumer Reddressal Forum and lodge a
complain. Not advisable as you will be wasting your time
and money without achieving any end result.
Solution 2 : Persuade all of your relatives and friends to
switch over to Reliance Mobile.
Solution 3 : Request Mr. Ambani to become Customer Friendly
and announce a reasonable 'Exit Policy'.
P.S.
- Discount Coupons worth Rs. one lakh. A book containing
coupons worth Rs.1 lakh is given along with the hand set.
These coupons are highly conditional. Please verify its
validity and pre conditions before you buy anything to
avoid disappointment.
- 'Kar lo duniya muththi mein' should be interpreted as
''Kar li Reliance Mobile kharid karne waloko muththi mein''.
It was like 'Chakra Byuha' from where there is no escape
route for Reliance Mobile buyers or a reasonable exit
policy.
- Now, in the latest drive to trap customers through
simple technology of confusion, about 5 Lakhs of Abhimanyu's
(new customers) have entered the so called ''Chakrabyuha''.
Pay Rs.501/- md walk out with a mobile in hand.
The first offer of Rs. 23,000(?) was one time payment
covering facilities for three years. On similar calculation
basis but with reduced initial liabilities other following
offers followed.
The second offer of Rs.6350/- along with 36 post dated
cheques for Rs.500 each, offered 400 minutes of free talk
time.
Third offer with an initial payment of Rs.3350/- and a
agreement for paying 36 months @ of Rs.600 per month was
nothing but minor modification of earlier offer ( Rs.6350/-)
where one takes a loan amount of Rs. 3000/- from Reliance
at the interest rate of 13% or so. Extra Rs.100/- over a
period of 36 months amounts to basic amount of Rs.3000/-
plus Rs.600 as interest for paying Rs. 3000/- through
installments.
Latest offer of Rs.501/- is similar, where total Rs.6000/-
comes under new loan scheme with repayments made over 36
installments at the rate of Rs.200 per month. Here, 400
minutes of free calls are missing and it is replaced by
other conditions of chargeable rates etc. This option may
not be advantageous but for negligible initial investment.
In my opinion, the option of Rs.6350/- is best if you can
pay it. Second option is Rs.3350/- where a loan amount of
Rs.3000/- with a interest rate of 13% is applicable.
Now that bills are available in R world 'Tools', it appears
that whatever published in the Times of India on 27th. May
2003 about the applicable rates, are correct.
CONCLUSION : It may be worth while now to look into the
pros and cons and associated aspects of all available
facilities like Orange, Airtel, BPL etc. and then arrive at
a logical conclusion as to what system is best for you
giving due considerations to your actual requirements.
