Having applied for BSNL DataOne connection for my parents(who already own a BSNL phone-line) using their online form. Now that I am visiting my hometown, I decided to call up their complaint number at 198 and talk to a human to inquire about the status of broadband connection. Navigating through their menu options I couldn't figure out a way to talk to a human. I tried the same on their 1500 call-center number, no luck.
Next day I get a call from a BSNL employee.
BSNL Employee: Sir aapka telephone theek chal raha hai ?
( Is your telephone working fine ? )
Me: Yes it is, but this complaint was about not having gotten any DataOne connection which I applied for on the BSNL's site.
BSNL Employee: Why don't you come to the telephone exchange and deposit the security for the broadband connection and when it gets sanctioned you'll get it.
Me: Any idea how long will it take.
BSNL Employee: Sir why don't you fill up the application form first.
Me: I already did it online, several times.
BSNL Employee: Why don't you come to the exchange and fill the application form and deposit the security deposit.
Me: And how long will it take
BSNL Employee: It can take anything between 15 days to 4 months.
Me: So much for the year of Broadband in India.
BSNL employee disconnects the phone conversation...
Welcome to small-town India.
State owned BSNL is sometimes the only viable Internet provider, there is practically no competition and TRAI mentions its failure to convince the government to promote the free market by un-bundling BSNL's copper paid for by taxpayer's money, my money, your money, . And there is no mention of the principle of Net-Neutrality which should make MTNL/BSNL's attempt to provide Video services in Television format(euphemistically called IPTV) illegal.
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