Hi friends,
Writing this review almost a year after I switched to Tata DoCoMo postpaid from Airtel postpaid.
Posting a blog since MouthShut_Official doesn't let me write 2nd review for the same product.
My ordeal started with the MNP fro
...
Hi friends,
Writing this review almost a year after I switched to Tata DoCoMo postpaid from Airtel postpaid.
Posting a blog since MouthShut_Official doesn't let me write 2nd review for the same product.
My ordeal started with the MNP from Airtel -> http://www.mouthshut.com/review/Tata-Docomo-Mobile-Operator-review-mmqnrlrlmn.
Here's a brief account of the issues I have faced in last 1 year with Tata DoCoMo.
1. Do Not Disturb (NDNC/NCPR) activation and complaints
I had activated DND on 3 Mar 2011 itself with all marketing calls/smses blocked. But, they avoid taking complaints for violations. Upon insisting, they take the complaint but don't record the details of the calls/smses. I climisht them red-handed couple of times by contacting another support channel e.g. chat support to confirm the complaint details.
Once, they registered a request for 'Activation' when all I wanted was to report DND violation which was already 'Active' !
2. Online Chat
This is the worst. First, I have to painfully type out everything. Then the guy with lowest IQ of them all, doesn't get it. So, I have to re-phrase my issue. Most of the times I just get frustrated and end the conversation without any resolution.
3. Call Center
These are very rude and unconcerned people. They offer lot of resistance to complaints. Once, it took me almost 60 mins (and 4 calls) to report 2 SMSes which violated DND. Then, they simply refused to take a complaint about duplicate deductions for the same month.
4. Social Media
They have a Twitter account (@tatadocomo) which is the most responsive channel of all. I have always received a reply whenever I tweeted my problem mentioning @tatadocomo and they seem to help escalate the issue. This won't always help resolve your issue though.
5. 3G Coverage in home city
Although 3G plans and rates were the biggest reason for my switch, I have never been able to use it consistently and satisfactorily with my iPhone. Sometimes, Data IP address is not issued to my device. Sometimes I get signal but lose it as I drive around the city even in CBD. I haven't used 3G much while roaming (for feature of wrong or inflated bills).
6. 2G Coverage while roaming
You expect at least 2G to work seamlessly while roaming. But, that's not the case here. I was in Indore, MP for my wife's delivery which was full of complications. I never got any incoming calls when on 2G (outgoing seemed to be working) even with 'Tata GSM' network. This resulted in lot of problems because we were all running around between 2 hospitals and my in-laws could never reach me.
By chance, I discovered it worked when I was on 3G. So, I kept it on even though it was a big drain on my phone battery. I reported this issue to them with exact locations of the places I didn't get the calls but it wasn't resolved till I left.
7. 2G Coverage in home city
I am from Bangalore and took the connection from Bangalore. So, I expected at least 2G to work. But, I was shocked to find that in CBD of Bangalore, people on Airtel and other networks were getting full signal while I was getting 'No Service' on my Tata DoCoMo connection. I missed a lot of calls (from my lawyer, CA, wife and others) while attending a 3 day conference at this hotel. It wasn't due to the walls etc as other networks worked just fine.
8. Billing system
I had setup Billpay with automatic payments of my Tata DoCoMo bills every month in my ICICI Bank account. It worked nicely for few months. But, in Jan 2012, Tata DoCoMo posted a bill with the wrong amount (for which there was no bill generated). As my account was setup to autopay the bills, it did so on 3rd Feb 2012. Anyway, since the wrongly deducted amount was more than the outstanding bill, I wasn't expecting another presentment for the same month. But, they corrected the bill amount and presented another bill with the correct amount to ICICI. So, ICICI did it's duty and autopaid the second bill as well resulting in huge negative outstanding balance.
As usual, customer care refused to register a complaint. Twitter support responded and promised action. But, nothing happened. Finally, I approached nodal officer. He responded and said he understood the problem but can't issue refund. It will get adjusted in the bill for next month. So, they wrongly take your money in advance (for a post paid connection) and then offer to adjust it with your next bills !!
To summarize, despite all the hype created with advertising, Tata DoCoMo is NOT even fit for a basic mobile service let alone 3G and all the other frills.
I have crossed the limits of my patience with this provider and have finally decided to switch back to Airtel or find a new, more reliable mobile operator. Suggestions welcome.
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