Internet Update: Ping, but No Reply

So how long have I been in India now? Ok, let me rephrase that question? How long ago did I apply for internet? Let's see, I applied online on the BSNL web site on Saturday, July 8, 2006. Today is July 25th. I've been trying to call BSNL and according to one lady I spoke to, the work order has not been issued yet. She gave me a different number to call and they routed me to yet another number. At this third number, no one picks up the phone. I've tried calling in the morning, afternoon, and evening.

I also stay slightly towards the outskirts of Bangalore, so most DSL service providers do not provide me with service there. If and when I do get in contact with BSNL, they may or may not provide service to my locality. That leaves me with cable internet, to which I'm pretty much guaranteed service and since I already have cable at home, it should take no more than a week to get set up. So what's the problem, you ask. The problem is that cable is ridiculously expensive.

There is a plan that offers "blazing" internet at 256 kpbs (as I said before, these people really need to realize what true broadband is before they start coining words) and it is for six months at a total cost of Rs. 1,500. This is great if it lasts for six months, but it has a 3 GB data transfer limit. So I have no idea how long 3 GB lasts since I never had a data transfer limit before. If it lasts for one month, then Rs. 1,500 is on the high side, but if it would last me for two months, then that's a great price. Well, I'm going to go to the BSNL office tomorrow morning and see what's going on. In almost all likelihood, I'll cancel my application (provided it's been accepted and recorded in the system in the first place) and I'll sign up for Hathway. At this rate, I'll be back in the U.S. before I get internet.

Did I say Verizon was bad? Verizon is great! No, actually they're not, they charged me $35 for DSL again this month and charging my roommate for the same service after we told them about five times that they're double charging us. They owe me something around $200 which they've charged me for a service that my roommate already paid for. But despite all this, we at least had internet and at a decent speed. But when I come back, it's going to be either Comcast or Earthlink. But for now, my battle with the state owned BSNL continues ...