How I got my MTNL Connection

Hi guys,I've been a long time lurker on this forums. But after reading a lot I decided to share my experience on how I got my mtnl triband connection.We shifted to our new house in July 2008 to Maitri Park, Chembur. We had, in advance booked a telephone line through mtnl to be installed here. Even then it took around 2 weeks to get it installed, say by the 5-7th of august. Abhi internet chahiye.First we asked our old service provider(exatt net) does he supply in this area. He said yes. So once he came to our house for the installation, he said that he needs to put the router box. I mean yeah, i've been using his cable net for over 5 years at the old place, I knew this was coming. Kahani mein twist...(as always) The builder(since it's a new building, and the society is in his hand) flatly refused to allow us to put the box on the terrace.Then we thought, fine we'll put it inside our house. Guess what again? The bloody internet walla refused that (wtf). He gave some reason saying that they needed access to it whenever they wanted, and they dont allow putting it in their houses. 🙁 So that didn't leave me with many options. Kya karoon.I was like ok fine then I dont really have a choice with practically all cable wallas shot down by my dear builder.I had thought of going for that tata indicom wireless internet. But soon realized that (a) It's limited to 500MB/month (b) after reading a lot of comments on this forums I concluded that they were sucky beyond suckiness.Next up was the Reliance Wi-Max. I ditched it for the reasons given on this board again. rofl at a reason saying that not to gift it to your enemy also as he doesn't deserve this much torture. So shoot, that's gone as well.The only thing remaining was MTNL Triband. I had heard good reviews about it. Even so, I dreaded going to the Chembur Exchange to apply for my connection. Well, I mustered up some courage and finally went to the exchange around 12th August with all expectation of a high speed always on, almost at par with my international cousins and friends internet.MTNL Exchange-Chembur:I go into the exchange and talk to the first lady there. Mujhe triband ke liye apply karne ka hai. She lazily point to the other end of the huge number of counters. I walk to the other end, hearing people shouting and screaming about the lack of service, and the usual 'government hai, kuch nahin hota hai' stuff. There I'm greeted by a very nice lady. She happens to be the very same lady who advised us to change our monthly plan a few days ago to the next scheme to save money, and she'd done that thing in like 5 minutes flat. Yes, a plan change done FLAT in 5 MINUTES. I tell her my telephone number, customer ID, say that I live near Union Park, and thatI want to apply for a Triband connection. She types something on her computer and says, "Sorry, I can't help. There are 2 problems. One is that you come under Govandi/Mankhurd exchange, and Two, there's a waiting period of atleast 2-3 months." My mind was like "ZOMGWTF 'ATLEAST' 2 MONTHS???". Slightly dejected, I started walking away, when she told me to go to this Union Park exchange, where someone may be able to guide me.Around 14th Aug:Union Park Exchange (walkable from my house):I go to the Union Park exchange and meet a Mr. A. He says there should not be a problem, just put the application and it should be done within 2-3 weeks. This sounded to me as a big relief as compared to the 2-3 months said earlier. I said, "Kya aap mujhe form denge, main abhi fill kar doonga..." Then he goes that this is just a technical exchange and no official/paper work takes place here. Form ke liye aapko mankhurd exchange jana padega. I was dejected once again.19th August:I wake up in the morning in a fit of rage, I don't know why(Internet Deprivation???, I mean it's almost a month since we moved in...no food bhi chalega, but no internet???). Around 11 I call up the feared 1504 and make an online booking for a scheme of 849NU. The operator asks a series of questions for the CPE, plan, my phone number, my customer number etc. and then she gives me a token number, saying it will take 2-3 weeks.I know the following:a. It's a phone call, so no proof actually exists. b. This is MTNL we are talking about, babu style working. c. 2-3 weeks can mean anything... A week later... I gave up all hopes of it ever coming. One fine wednesday the MTNL guys call up... They say they'll come by 2 o clock. And guess what... They end up by 1.30 itself!!! Configured it themselves and I had to give them nothing. I am extremely satisfied with this in short. I filled no forms, had to attach no photocopies, nothing.I advise everyone atleast from this area to use the MTNL 1504 option for booking as it's very convenient and hassle free. And thanks BB.in

Finally Done welcome to Mtnl Dsl :dance:

Thanks man. I don't think MTNL people are all that bad as made out to be. It's the system that forces them into bureaucracy.

I too have encountered many good souls at MTNL in the past.

yup they are not as bad as they seem.i have found that whenever they say that they will come for installation, they will come right on time. just a little problem with customer care.

i agree....installation doesn't tk mch tym ....evrythng is done pretty smoothly....bt custuomer care is terrible to talk wid.....they don't hv any solutions to our problems.........that's y i joined ibf........:thumbsup:

well last time around i was talking to a guy in customer care..he was polite and was good enough.i agreed that it's hard to find tech geeks in mtnl customer care but for an average broadband user they are quite handy..I mean to get simple details like Dns server address, how to secure wifi etc etc..