How about a little game to occupy us while we wait for Hayai to come to our respective cities/towns and kick every other ISP's butt. What do you predict will be the future for broadband and the internets as a whole in India, once Hayai's here? I'm sure many ISPs are already following all the action here closely, and its possible some of them are already hatching some plans to counter or compete (at least the ones that have stakes in high-speed internet). Sometimes I wonder why no one from other service providers has ever joined the discussion anywhere on this forum....and then I had a thought....maybe some of the hardcore sceptics here who think Hayai's just an ongoing joke, maybe some of them are actually the competition, in disguise of course 😉I guess all of us can safely say that if Hayai delivers on what it promises, its going to be a great thing for connectivity in India. Its going to force other ISPs to change their plans, their outdated FUP policies, and terrible support. The last, acc. to me, will be the most difficult. We've become so used to lazy and unprofessional support, it usually comes as a big surprise, even a shock when we actually get some good service for a change. Informed support personnel who like what they're doing (and this will flow from the pride they feel and their love for the service itself), not to mention personnel who know how to respect your time will be one of those changes I hope to see with Hayai. But then, these are rather short-term predictions. What do you think will happen as a whole to connectivity in India, say 5-10 years from now, if Hayai were to find great success (it should!), shake up the competition and slowly spread its way across the country?(As an afterthought, it might be interesting to see which of our predictions do actually come true some years down the line....)I'll be patiently waiting for the day when Hayai becomes a household name, at least in our major cities and towns 🙂
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Hayai and the future of broadband in India
- Thread starter baxilone
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This might read like fiction, but its very close to an experience I had with a Senior Engineer in charge of Broadband services at my ISP's local office a few months ago. 😉Me: "I've heard that people on a 512 kbps unlimited connection are being upgraded to 4 mbps. I'd love to be included!"Him: "What...really? Who told you?Me: "Its out there, sir...on the internet."*He makes a phone call, presumably to someone younger and more competent to find out what this is all about*Him: "Hmm, ok, I've asked for your connection to be included. It will happen by today or tomorrow. But 4 mbps is....its too much speed? You have any idea how fast that is? *Laughs to himself* What are you going to do with it?"Me: "Shouldn't be a problem, sir. I'm into bluray, so...."Him: "What?! Blue films??"And I spent all of the next 10 mins trying to explain to him what bluray is, after convincing him that I'm not a porn addict 🙂It'd just be much easier on the nerves to have support staff who are from our generation, and who don't have to run to google (or call their junior staff) each time someone mentions things like ping, latency, gbps, etc. I can't wait for the day when younger, dynamic and keyed-in staff working for companies like Hayai force other companies (esp. ones like BSNL) to also recruit similarly capable people. I would miss some of the uncles and aunties, they do add some old-world charm, but given a choice between this and efficiency, I guess its a no-brainer which one most of us would choose.
mgcarley
Founder, Hayai Broadband
It'd just be much easier on the nerves to have support staff who are from our generation, and who don't have to run to google (or call their junior staff) each time someone mentions things like ping, latency, gbps, etc.
I can't wait for the day when younger, dynamic and keyed-in staff working for companies like Hayai force other companies (esp. ones like BSNL) to also recruit similarly capable people. I would miss some of the uncles and aunties, they do add some old-world charm, but given a choice between this and efficiency, I guess its a no-brainer which one most of us would choose.
LOL @ the story.
Maybe this will be comforting for you: Twitter
Also, even some of the older folks even at MTNL & BSNL are very switched on people (BSNL more than MTNL based on my brief encounters with some people) - it's often the decision makers (or purse-string holders) that stifle those individuals, which is a pity.
Of course, on the whole most of these organizations can be represented by a generalized statement, such as (1, 2 or) 4mbit/s being sufficient for even the heaviest users.
I can't wait for the day when younger, dynamic and keyed-in staff working for companies like Hayai force other companies (esp. ones like BSNL) to also recruit similarly capable people. I would miss some of the uncles and aunties, they do add some old-world charm, but given a choice between this and efficiency, I guess its a no-brainer which one most of us would choose.
LOL @ the story.
Maybe this will be comforting for you: Twitter
Also, even some of the older folks even at MTNL & BSNL are very switched on people (BSNL more than MTNL based on my brief encounters with some people) - it's often the decision makers (or purse-string holders) that stifle those individuals, which is a pity.
Of course, on the whole most of these organizations can be represented by a generalized statement, such as (1, 2 or) 4mbit/s being sufficient for even the heaviest users.
I know that story sounds too corny to be true, but what can I say?
This actually had the opposite effect on me. After this, I decided I'm going to stick with my ISP....all the companies operating where I stay offer pretty much similar services and pricing, but imo, this sort of experience is just priceless 😉
Just kidding....actually, I avoid that guy as much as I can these days. I'm sure he's still convinced I have a serious porn addiction or something.
Also, even some of the older folks even at MTNL & BSNL are very switched on people (BSNL more than MTNL based on my brief encounters with some people) - it's often the decision makers (or purse-string holders) that stifle those individuals, which is a pity.
Yes, I totally agree. Though I have had a few cases where people didn't know what I was talking about (nothing as corny as the above), most people have been quite knowledgeable, and if they didn't know something, they always found someone in their office who knew it and could help right away. I've spent ample time with most major ISPs in India, and still find BSNL one of the better and most dependable ones, esp. when it comes to such things as billing and general trustworthiness.
Of course, on the whole most of these organizations can be represented by a generalized statement, such as (1, 2 or) 4mbit/s being sufficient for even the heaviest users.
Yes, and to some extent, they're right in thinking so. Not everyone needs such speeds, and you're inclined to think that way when most of your user base (like in my area) only ever uses the internet to check mail and facebook.
This actually had the opposite effect on me. After this, I decided I'm going to stick with my ISP....all the companies operating where I stay offer pretty much similar services and pricing, but imo, this sort of experience is just priceless 😉
Just kidding....actually, I avoid that guy as much as I can these days. I'm sure he's still convinced I have a serious porn addiction or something.
Also, even some of the older folks even at MTNL & BSNL are very switched on people (BSNL more than MTNL based on my brief encounters with some people) - it's often the decision makers (or purse-string holders) that stifle those individuals, which is a pity.
Yes, I totally agree. Though I have had a few cases where people didn't know what I was talking about (nothing as corny as the above), most people have been quite knowledgeable, and if they didn't know something, they always found someone in their office who knew it and could help right away. I've spent ample time with most major ISPs in India, and still find BSNL one of the better and most dependable ones, esp. when it comes to such things as billing and general trustworthiness.
Of course, on the whole most of these organizations can be represented by a generalized statement, such as (1, 2 or) 4mbit/s being sufficient for even the heaviest users.
Yes, and to some extent, they're right in thinking so. Not everyone needs such speeds, and you're inclined to think that way when most of your user base (like in my area) only ever uses the internet to check mail and facebook.
striker4540
Newbie
I have been using internet since "reliance-karlo duniya mutti mein" days...phone internet.From my point of view when Hayai launches its services in major cities only mouth mouth publicity will be enough especially in Mumbai.In coming year or two Hayai will be able to show what other companies couldnt do to improvie our BB condition.Yes, the costs have been lowered but in comparision speeds arent high as they should be. 3~10 years down the line FTTH would be a house hold name in the whole of India with Hayai as the pioneer.I really hope other companies follow the trend and stop milking customers for terrible services they offer.Desperately waiting for Hayai to launch.
mgcarley
Founder, Hayai Broadband
... still find BSNL one of the better and most dependable ones, esp. when it comes to such things as billing and general trustworthiness.
YMMV 😉
Yes, and to some extent, they're right in thinking so. Not everyone needs such speeds, and you're inclined to think that way when most of your user base (like in my area) only ever uses the internet to check mail and facebook.
Yes and no. There's no reason that they couldn't take the model that NZ and Australia have whereby there's no restriction on the speed of the line, only on the data. A typical ISP plan in NZ is max ADSL line speed (so, in practicality between 13 & 17mbit/s) with a data cap or FUP of maybe 10, 20 or 40GB.
Despite the rather restrictive caps, at least the speed makes it possible to do things like watch a few Youtube videos or browse a friends' Facebook photo album without having to wait for ages for it to download, and we still have local Video-on-Demand services (TVNZ, iSky and a couple of others) which allow us to watch full episodes of locally produced television for free (or in the case of iSky, for subscribers to Sky DTH services).
Some ISPs peer directly with these services and so streaming them isn't counted in the quota, others don't peer. Subscribers whose ISPs don't peer directly are usually on the heavier plans anyway, but most people don't worry about their usage anyway - the only people that really care are people who are doing a lot of downloading.
If I were a normal user, then I have to say, given the choice, I'd much rather have unrestricted line speed with a 20-40 GB cap (and reasonable over-use charges were I to exceed that cap) than 256kbit/s unlimited. I strongly suspect that our data plans will end up being more popular than our flat-rate ones - I myself am most likely going to be on a Hayai data plan, somewhere in the vicinity of 75 to 100GB per month.
YMMV 😉
Yes, and to some extent, they're right in thinking so. Not everyone needs such speeds, and you're inclined to think that way when most of your user base (like in my area) only ever uses the internet to check mail and facebook.
Yes and no. There's no reason that they couldn't take the model that NZ and Australia have whereby there's no restriction on the speed of the line, only on the data. A typical ISP plan in NZ is max ADSL line speed (so, in practicality between 13 & 17mbit/s) with a data cap or FUP of maybe 10, 20 or 40GB.
Despite the rather restrictive caps, at least the speed makes it possible to do things like watch a few Youtube videos or browse a friends' Facebook photo album without having to wait for ages for it to download, and we still have local Video-on-Demand services (TVNZ, iSky and a couple of others) which allow us to watch full episodes of locally produced television for free (or in the case of iSky, for subscribers to Sky DTH services).
Some ISPs peer directly with these services and so streaming them isn't counted in the quota, others don't peer. Subscribers whose ISPs don't peer directly are usually on the heavier plans anyway, but most people don't worry about their usage anyway - the only people that really care are people who are doing a lot of downloading.
If I were a normal user, then I have to say, given the choice, I'd much rather have unrestricted line speed with a 20-40 GB cap (and reasonable over-use charges were I to exceed that cap) than 256kbit/s unlimited. I strongly suspect that our data plans will end up being more popular than our flat-rate ones - I myself am most likely going to be on a Hayai data plan, somewhere in the vicinity of 75 to 100GB per month.
If I were a normal user, then I have to say, given the choice, I'd much rather have unrestricted line speed with a 20-40 GB cap (and reasonable over-use charges were I to exceed that cap) than 256kbit/s unlimited. I strongly suspect that our data plans will end up being more popular than our flat-rate ones - I myself am most likely going to be on a Hayai data plan, somewhere in the vicinity of 75 to 100GB per month.
I have similar views. What I would do is take a data plan, add 20 to 30 GB initially, maybe use that for a month or increase afterwards in increments of 5 or 10 GB.
I have similar views. What I would do is take a data plan, add 20 to 30 GB initially, maybe use that for a month or increase afterwards in increments of 5 or 10 GB.
audioslave
What?
are you offering discounts on yearly package? Like presently most of the isp's are offering 12 months for the price of 10 Month.
PS: Puchne mein kya jaata hain?
Anshuman Jha in Tata Sky's 3rd film in this campaign - Poochne Mein Kya Jaata Hai - Bank TVC.flv - YouTube
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I have similar views. What I would do is take a data plan, add 20 to 30 GB initially, maybe use that for a month or increase afterwards in increments of 5 or 10 GB.
I would buy 30 Gb initially check the connection, If its working fine, no downtime and no torrent throttling. will buy directly 500 Gb for a year!
PS: Puchne mein kya jaata hain?
Anshuman Jha in Tata Sky's 3rd film in this campaign - Poochne Mein Kya Jaata Hai - Bank TVC.flv - YouTube
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I have similar views. What I would do is take a data plan, add 20 to 30 GB initially, maybe use that for a month or increase afterwards in increments of 5 or 10 GB.
I would buy 30 Gb initially check the connection, If its working fine, no downtime and no torrent throttling. will buy directly 500 Gb for a year!
audioslave
What?
I doubt that with Hayai's speed, 500 Gb will last a year.
up to 1Gbit/s is something, We'd be experiencing for the first time. First month i may download 20 or 30 Gigs More.. but I am sure 30-40 Gb Per month is more than enough for me. Actually i do upload a lot than downloading 😛
up to 1Gbit/s is something, We'd be experiencing for the first time. First month i may download 20 or 30 Gigs More.. but I am sure 30-40 Gb Per month is more than enough for me. Actually i do upload a lot than downloading 😛
mgcarley
Founder, Hayai Broadband
are you offering discounts on yearly package? Like presently most of the isp's are offering 12 months for the price of 10 Month.
As of now, no. I don't really like the idea of billing a year in advance, so month-to-month billing would still happen, but getting users to sign a 12 or even 24 month contract (as is often the norm overseas) so that they can avail discounts/free installation/etc isn't out of the question, and I think we will introduce something for those willing to come on for a year after some time.
I would buy 30 Gb initially check the connection, If its working fine, no downtime and no torrent throttling. will buy directly 500 Gb for a year!
On a data plan, no throttling of any kind. Period.
I doubt that with Hayai's speed, 500 Gb will last a year.
Sure it could. Treat the connection as you would alcohol: what you have now is light beer (1%), and we're offering you vodka (or something more strong which you might not have heard of, so keeping it to commonly known spirits for now).
Anyway, you can drink a 12-pack of light beer and not get too drunk. But drink a bottle of vodka all at once and you'll probably be quite off your face. Instead, if you take a few shots of vodka at a time to finish the bottle, you will not feel too many ill effects.
As of now, no. I don't really like the idea of billing a year in advance, so month-to-month billing would still happen, but getting users to sign a 12 or even 24 month contract (as is often the norm overseas) so that they can avail discounts/free installation/etc isn't out of the question, and I think we will introduce something for those willing to come on for a year after some time.
I would buy 30 Gb initially check the connection, If its working fine, no downtime and no torrent throttling. will buy directly 500 Gb for a year!
On a data plan, no throttling of any kind. Period.
I doubt that with Hayai's speed, 500 Gb will last a year.
Sure it could. Treat the connection as you would alcohol: what you have now is light beer (1%), and we're offering you vodka (or something more strong which you might not have heard of, so keeping it to commonly known spirits for now).
Anyway, you can drink a 12-pack of light beer and not get too drunk. But drink a bottle of vodka all at once and you'll probably be quite off your face. Instead, if you take a few shots of vodka at a time to finish the bottle, you will not feel too many ill effects.
mavihs
Regular
Sure it could. Treat the connection as you would alcohol: what you have now is light beer (1%), and we're offering you vodka (or something more strong which you might not have heard of, so keeping it to commonly known spirits for now).
Anyway, you can drink a 12-pack of light beer and not get too drunk. But drink a bottle of vodka all at once and you'll probably be quite off your face. Instead, if you take a few shots of vodka at a time to finish the bottle, you will not feel too many ill effects.
i feel your taking us from beer, directly to absinthe!!! 😛
Anyway, you can drink a 12-pack of light beer and not get too drunk. But drink a bottle of vodka all at once and you'll probably be quite off your face. Instead, if you take a few shots of vodka at a time to finish the bottle, you will not feel too many ill effects.
i feel your taking us from beer, directly to absinthe!!! 😛
mgcarley
Founder, Hayai Broadband
i feel your taking us from beer, directly to absinthe!!! 😛
You may be right. I've had Hill's Absinthe in the Bohemian region of the Czech Republic and it's wild stuff.
You may be right. I've had Hill's Absinthe in the Bohemian region of the Czech Republic and it's wild stuff.
Mgc, it was heartening to read about your long-term vision to bring Hayai to the villages of India. I think bringing internet connectivity to those of us who aren't yet there (that's around 90% of the country) is going to be the next big revolution, like what happened with mobile phones. And its not only going to change the lives of millions, its going to make the internet change in a substantial way too. If we get anywhere close to even 40%-50% penetration, the major bulk of internet users in the world will be us and China.
Some of our state governments are already taking their first steps towards this long-term goal. The present government in Tamil Nadu has already started giving out free laptops (manufactured by IBM, Lenovo and HP) to all government-aided higher secondary school and college students. They plan on distributing ~ 9 lakh laptops this year and ~ 68 lakh in all, over the next four years.
The Hindu : States / Tamil Nadu : TN Govt
As you can imagine, these laptops will be fitted with basic softwares, but also with multimedia and educational material ( career guidance, subject-oriented study material and basic computer knowledge) tailor-made for this group of students. As of now, the government is soliciting ideas for this, and as soon as some are finalized, they will be incorporated into the laptops, or given to the students on CDs.
Proposals to bring internet connectivity to all these people are also being considered. I guess they'll be starting with something like the cheap 256 kbps BSNL plan for 99 a month, and though most of us find this laughable, its still a start. For people who would have never imagined having a computer to themselves till a few months back. It'll be nice to see Hayai reaching these people, even if it only happens 5 or more years down the line. Everyone with a computer deserves better than a crappy 256 kbps connection. 🙂
If this project succeeds, it might inspire other state governments to introduce similar schemes down the line.
I'm personally waiting for the day when major parts of rural India are connected and there are services and products being delivered to them on the internet. The possibilities are enormous. Finally, we will have a place for Indian languages on the internet; any number of social networking sites like Vkontakte in Russia or Renren in China will be possible, considering our diversity, and if businesses will have to reach this user base, they'll have to speak the local languages. The world will come closer to a segment of India that has had little to no exposure at all so far. And with the integration between internet and cellphone connectivity and everything else already happening at such a dizzy pace, there's no guessing what else will become possible.
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I guess a logical next step after this level of penetration is achieved, would be things like free internet for all, which can be accessed in most important public spaces, starting with railway stations, government offices, bus-stops, schools, colleges etc.
Some of our state governments are already taking their first steps towards this long-term goal. The present government in Tamil Nadu has already started giving out free laptops (manufactured by IBM, Lenovo and HP) to all government-aided higher secondary school and college students. They plan on distributing ~ 9 lakh laptops this year and ~ 68 lakh in all, over the next four years.
The Hindu : States / Tamil Nadu : TN Govt
As you can imagine, these laptops will be fitted with basic softwares, but also with multimedia and educational material ( career guidance, subject-oriented study material and basic computer knowledge) tailor-made for this group of students. As of now, the government is soliciting ideas for this, and as soon as some are finalized, they will be incorporated into the laptops, or given to the students on CDs.
Proposals to bring internet connectivity to all these people are also being considered. I guess they'll be starting with something like the cheap 256 kbps BSNL plan for 99 a month, and though most of us find this laughable, its still a start. For people who would have never imagined having a computer to themselves till a few months back. It'll be nice to see Hayai reaching these people, even if it only happens 5 or more years down the line. Everyone with a computer deserves better than a crappy 256 kbps connection. 🙂
If this project succeeds, it might inspire other state governments to introduce similar schemes down the line.
I'm personally waiting for the day when major parts of rural India are connected and there are services and products being delivered to them on the internet. The possibilities are enormous. Finally, we will have a place for Indian languages on the internet; any number of social networking sites like Vkontakte in Russia or Renren in China will be possible, considering our diversity, and if businesses will have to reach this user base, they'll have to speak the local languages. The world will come closer to a segment of India that has had little to no exposure at all so far. And with the integration between internet and cellphone connectivity and everything else already happening at such a dizzy pace, there's no guessing what else will become possible.
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I guess a logical next step after this level of penetration is achieved, would be things like free internet for all, which can be accessed in most important public spaces, starting with railway stations, government offices, bus-stops, schools, colleges etc.
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