Who Is The Best Mobile Service Provider?

Who according to you is the best mobile service provider in India? By this, I mean those SIM card companies who give you access to towers to communicate, not the handset makers. At the pan India level, I am quite sure it would be Bharti Airtel because of its low costs.

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But, if you are looking for a SIM card in Maharashtra, there is almost an oligopoly existing with few key players: BSNL/MTNL (this would be referred to as BSNL henceforth), !dea (or Idea cellular), Airtel and Vodafone. Whatever the characteristics regarding these providers are given here is applicable all over India.

Airtel has been offering cheap service as everywhere with many free or concessional group calling in its ‘Friends’ pack. This has been quite popular among the teenagers, undergraduate students but I haven’t seen many young professionals using or endorsing Airtel. And as for the network coverage, I suppose Airtel vs. BSNL would be a very tough fight. That was one single reason enough for me to never have tried Airtel along with teenager users.

As for BSNL, if low cost is your priority with limited service, BSNL is for you! By limited service, I literally mean it. It is ensured that 1 out of 5 calls you make would not be reachable, and this is by far a very very conservative estimate. Same is applicable for incoming calls. This has been a favourite among those elderly ones, aged 45 and above. Their sense of support to the government comes in way of choosing the right service provider.

Vodafone is one service I’ve used for more than a year and it was pretty much satisfying. It never had any billing issues, service was quite good, call rates were not so hefty but network was at times turning into an Airtel network. Not all the time, only some of the times this did irk me. If you are impressed by the Chihuahua shown in the Vodafone ads, or the Zoo zoos, or wish to keep a ‘foreign company’s service’ in your pocket, this one is for you. Behind my purchase of Vodafone, the reason was the UK Company and its awesome ads. There is nothing around product that one would look for in the product while buying Vodafone as it is a decent enough brand. And yes, it is a trustworthy one.

Idea, I think it is THE best! It does stand out of the crowd on almost all factors (or parameters as you might like to call in). Its criticism was mostly on its high cost. I remember using it for Rs.2 per minute call rate. Now, things have changed and I am using this one at 30 paise/m with free CUG. Advertisements were never an issue with Idea as it is one of the oldest players. Now, Abhishek Bachchan endorsing the brand along with new themes on save paper or the language campaign, it is getting even better! And with its improved focus on Maharashtra region, it has its highest revenues coming from MH along with good CRM policies in place. And Idea has been the only player to give a seamless integrated network of Mumbai, Maharashtra and Goa without any roaming, this sure has ensured more revenues for them. In fact, the inclusion of Mumbai was a key reason why I bought this card. As for its network, I do not really have any words! ‘The number you have called is not reachable’ is something anyone calling you would not even hear. Long back, in 2005, I remember my cell in my trouser pockets, blanket wrapped all around me and a pillow on my thighs trying to read a book. Viola, no network problem when another Idea user, my friend called up! To add more, the best highway coverage is provided all across the nation by Idea. The very concept of coverage on highways as well as alongside railway tracks was started by Idea followed by others. And for a frequent traveller and a frequent long drive goer, this particular facility was a must for me. If you remember, the first company to give coverage along the whole of Mumbai – Pune Expressway was Idea!

So, the final verdict: Best coverage – Idea, best service – Idea, best charges – BSNL/Airtel, best ads – I need your comment on this as almost all of them are coming up with good ads.

And have you used Aircel/Uninor or any of the new entrants? Please share your experiences in the comments below.