Today since an undisclosed time the network of Bharti Airtel is down. The problem, as reported by the retail outlets is ’some technical glitch’ in their systems. Apparently only the prepaid (’pay as you go’ in US parlance) seem to be affected by it. I don’t know how many circles have been affected. But I do know that Pune is affected.
On dialling a number, the message one gets is …’the services on this number have been indefinitely been barred, please call the customer care on 121′. Upon calling the customer care centers, it has been reported that one gets the message “Network busy” flashing on the screen.
I am an Airtel prepaid user, as I came to know of such a thing, I had to check it out myself. When I checked with the local Airtel staff, they told me that indeed there was some problem in their system and their people were already working on a solution and it should be sorted out by 9 pm IST (sic!).
What I did not like about the whole way of handling the situation is this…
1. Why have prerecorded message tell you to dial the customer care number when it is not reachable! (As it is Airtel has some of the most unkind and unhelpful people sitting behind those computers and also the fact that more than half the time the number cannot be reached!)
2. What happens to a person who is trying to call someone in an emergency?
3. Couldn’t there have been a prerecorded message saying that there was a problem in the network… instead of the one above.
You know Airtel, this just shows that you are really unprepared to handle emergencies! Poor show!!!
Last I checked (which is as I am writing) I was getting the following message flashing on my screen “Call not allowed.” Also one cannot check the balance remaining.
P.S. Only outgoing seems to be hampered, incoming is working perfectly!
What is your take on the whole? What do you think should be the right way to tackle such problems. Had this been US, what would have happened? How would the company have responded.
Leave your comments and let me know!
Update: the time is now 10pm.
Yet another Update: I had a talk wit the Airtel reps, they say that this problem will be sorted out by tomorrow afternoon. Someone please call TRAI or DoT! I think a fine should be levied!
Their reps, said that the Airtel ‘tower’ had exploded in Mumbai. (when did a server take the form of a tower, and even if it did so, what has that go to do with Pune?)
10 Comments
Airtel is the worst netwrok of the world. They are greedy and unprofessional to the core. I used Hutch for 5 years in Delhi/Mumbai but never faced issues. But I had to use Airtel in Delhi from last year, and experience was sick! Network use to behave haywire, incoming stopped or O/G behaved arbit. Also, I shifted base to Calcutta and it was a pain to get the number disconnected. If someone knows how to get their license canceled, do let me know. Morons, greedy, unprofessional, hyprocrats!!!
Amit,
I couldn’t agree better with you. It seems that the time has been shifted to 10pm.
Also their customer care service is the worst!
This is why, I use a Hutch and Reliance too, apart from Airtel.
airtel network in all of india was down today. even their data networks and broadband was down. they are unprofessional at every level: at technical level they have incompetent people.
At customer service level, they have rude staff who just say YES ma’m yes ma’m and don’t ever do anything to help you sort your problems.
Airtel senior managers are never available to help customers. they are only busy in marketing, more marketing gimmicks and more tricks.
Airtel has the most number of calling plans but they have the least number of support staff to do all this on the backend.
The result is Airtel is one big chaotic company which should shut shop and go back to selling beetle phones.
Oh my goddddddddd this comment has become so big I better post this on mouthshut as a review.
I hope airtel plans its network better.
How come they dont have redundancy and backups for their system.
Airtel is Ram bharose.
@rahul,
I also have a broadband connection of Airtel… nothing wrong there…
Also… my phone is the only which is not on the network in my family!
It’s 12 am and the network is still down. I cannot believe how foolish a company can be. The internet was created so that if one node falls, the other nodes are still operational. I can’t believe Airtel put all their eggs in one basket.
I have a postpaid account living in South Bombay. Still no network!
Have a look at this for more on the Airtel network issue..
http://www.funonthenet.in/forums/index.php?topic=99197.0
It’s 19th 1.20pm and Airtel network is still down….
guys…….i’ve benn facing a new problem with airtel landline phone.Actually they’ve charged me Rs 714 for the premium
no usage(actually these are the numbers belonging to some competitions which have very high call rates).
many times i’ve discussed this problem with their customer care but they are not believe me.
what should i’ve to do………….
e mail me if any of the gentlemen have
something which could help me.
thank you
@ rahul,
If you are sure that you haven’t made a single call to these premium numbers, you should file a case against Bharti Airtel in the consumer court. As per my knowledge it takes only INR 500/- to file a case.
Fire disrupts Airtel services
Mumbai:
A fire broke out at the Peninsula Corporate Park in Lower Parel, a little after 8.30 am, and has disrupted Airtel services.
There have been no casualties reported.
Airtel officials are now working to get the services back in order.
The fire started in the basement of the multi-storey building and eight fire engines, seven tankers and two ambulances were rushed to contain it.
The Fire Brigade officers said that the fire had reached the second floor of the building had been put out within an hour’s time.
However, this was enough to affect the Airtel’s Communication Systems, which has left many Airtel users in a dilemma.
Airtel officials, themselves, are unsure when the services will be resumed.
Sanjay Kapoor, President, Airtel, says, “It’s too early to say when network can be restored.
“It is also to early to assess the loss, including damages done to the property and the server,” he added.
An official statement will be release at 4 pm today, which will inform when the services will come back to order.
An Airtel spokesperson said, “The fire has resulted in a temporary disruption in power supply, which has impacted our network services in some areas of Mumbai.
“We are confident of soon restoring normalcy.”
PD Karguppikar, Deputy Chief Fire Officer said that they would investigate the cause of the fire thoroughly by questioning those responsible for the transformer room, where the fire started.
“Based on circumstantial evidence and questioning employees, we will be able to pin point the causes,” Karguppikar said, adding that a notice regarding the breach of safety norms in the building would be issued in a week.
Source:- http://www.mid-day.com/news/2008/jul/180708firetel.htm
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