Hutch/Vodafone service in Mumbai terrible
I have lived in 5 cities for more than a month in each city. I have availed mobile services from every single major mobile service provider in India. And I with that kind of experience behind me I can confidently say that the Hutch/Vodafone service in Mumbai is the absolute worst of all of them. Even the second worst is much much much better than Vodafone Mumbai.
I stay in the Borivali area. Voice quality is very poor. Calls get dropped on an average once every call. Often my cell is unreachable. Often due to network congestion I have to try multiple times to dial out to somebody. People call me, they get message X but actual event Y has happened, for e.g. they get a ringing tone and I do not get any call or missed call.
Now I am totally fed up. For me the mobile is very critical in keeping touch with family, friends and for work. I have decided to ditch Vodafone (and my friends say Airtel is equally bad) and go in for a Tata Indicom mobile. My roommate Punit has a Tata Indicom phone and it is very good in terms of reliability and voice quality. Subscription plans (calling tariffs) are identical among ALL service providers so the differentiator has to be the actual mobile service, ease of paying bill, promptness in solving problems etc.
This post is for anybody planning to take a Vodafone connection in Mumbai. My advice - DO NOT.
This entry was posted on Thursday, October 25th, 2007 at 12:08 pm and is filed under miscellaneous. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Blogposts
on October 30, 2007 at 3:58 am krakoosh wrote:
I believe it! Experienced it first hand
on October 31, 2007 at 2:07 am K wrote:
I’m using Hutch from past 4 years. I used BPL (which was bought by Hutch) when I was at Trivandrum for a just 40 days.
Clearly, I’ve never used anything other than Hutch/Vodafone except my first number (Idea) which I used for a month.
I’ve had similar problems almost all the time and at all the places. When my friends ask me why I stick to Hutch, I reply them that I like their ads (Yeah, one weird answer :D). As their ads are no longer great, I guess that I can move to another network
on November 12, 2007 at 3:19 pm Mumbaiiya wrote:
My problem started when Hutch was converted to Vodafone, earlier when it was Hutch I was happy with the services offered. Now it is so worse that I wonder how can a name change affect the network so much this is either shabby management or a trick to snatch customers …
Thumbs down to Vodafone…Hutch was better…
Shame on Vodafone, I agree to the above on Vodafone …Be a wise customer n search for your money’s worth..thats all.
on November 16, 2007 at 10:38 am P.S. Patel wrote:
I am with hutch since last two years. the sevices hutch were good. after Vodafone it is worst than all othe mobile service provider. I had paid my Vodafone bill Rs.850/- by cheque on 18.10.2007, which was due on 25.10.2007. The cheque was cleared by my banker on 23.10.2007. Till the my payment is not updated by Vodafone. I had made more than 25 complaints. There is No Responsible person in Vodafone to solve the problem. I had given copy of my bank pass book, letter from my banker stating that cheque is cleared. Please publish my problem in newspaper if possible. Please help me to solve the problem.
on November 27, 2007 at 4:46 pm Nirav wrote:
i watch my mobile bill in your site
on December 5, 2007 at 2:28 pm Ameya wrote:
I agree.. I had even worst experience. Read it on http://www.ameyapandit.com
on January 17, 2008 at 10:45 am Harshad wrote:
i got fedup of their services here in Mumbai and sent a mail to the Mobile Assist email id. Haven’t got any response from their end. They can do nothing but appologise fervently while the real stuff simply doesn’t get sorted out at all. Balance deductions have started for no apparent reason, for services not activated and for supposedly “free” services. I hate vodafone so very much.
in anycase, here’s the mail ….
Dear “Vodafone”,
Since the time you(Vodafone) have taken over Hutch, there has been a marked change in the quality of services. This ofcourse isn’t meant in any positive sense. The quality has deteriorated. Call drops and voice swooshing have become so rampant that the elitist and well-to-do serivce that Hutch had to reckon with has gone to the dogs. VAS activations like CT take more than 12 hours. The network has taken a beating and network dips are so common now, we seriously wonder if you ( Vodafone ) are here to make our lives better or lets say, for a change worse. Incase its the latter, I guess we are getting used to it. And such problems are not area specific - its the problem for all of Mumbai.
For us to continue with you (Vodafone) or not is a case that rests in your hand. Give us better service and we’ll stick to you; if not there are others who are willing to have us as their subscriber. Think. Sounds harsh, well reality is harsh !
P.S. - The feedback page on your website doesn’t work. Try it out ……
on January 23, 2008 at 2:04 pm priyadarshi wrote:
hi,
i m priyadarshi having vodafone number - [mobile no. removed by Varun].
on 14th jan 2008 i recharged with topup of Rs.332(full talktime) and then Rs.66(all india one). till date my std one is not activeted. will i get the lost amount from vodafone which have been taken illegally. should i continue with this service aor should i change the sim?
on January 31, 2008 at 8:42 pm golu wrote:
dear friend, somebody(mumbai vodafone employees)are doing unlegal work with your VODAFONE corporate SIM plan.they are making million of money per month which is unbelievable.if you want details,how this is being, you can contact me.this is a group 7 guys,they are from bagaha,w.champaran,BIHAR. believe me this is 100 & 10 percent truth.in the favour of your company you should take actions on this matter. my english is not very good so please dont care on my mistakes.
take care, sincerely……. friend(golu)
on February 12, 2008 at 5:58 pm Manoj Sharma wrote:
You Are Absulte right Vodafone Is 1000000nd Class In Mobile Service
Same on You Vodafone
on March 2, 2008 at 9:14 pm AAKASHHINDUJA wrote:
It is not fair that the postpaid subscribers in vodafone is getting better services rather than in prepaid subscribers . In postpaid vodafone offers 100 free minutes in vodafone to vodafone at 30 paise but in prepaid there is no 100 free minutes . it is the same in gprs . In postpaid gprs there is a plan that pay 49 Rs per month and get 30 free mms and 5 mb download . but the plan is not for prepaid . I think airtel is the best for gprs because in airtel there is a plan for unlimited surfing . so everyone should shift to Airtel . I will also shift to airtel because of gprs,callertune and better services than vodafone .
on March 2, 2008 at 9:16 pm AAKASHHINDUJA wrote:
The callertune is also not good in vodafone . The callertune time is only for 30 seconds but in airtel it is for 40 seconds or more than that . but the callertune in airtel is much better than vodafone . so all the subscriber should shift to AIRTEL . I am also shifting to AIRTEL.
on March 5, 2008 at 12:26 pm Parag wrote:
i do agree …
am also shifting to tataindicom
on March 16, 2008 at 1:50 am Shekhar wrote:
Hi,
I am Shekhar
My Mobile no is with Hutch Family plan.
I have faced a lots of issue with Vodafone service and am too upset with the quality of service proivided by Vodafone.
The problems which I have faced from past 2 months are as described.
1) Bill February 2008
Before receiving this I was using a hutch mobile connect plan of Rs @499. In this bill of February 2008 I have charged with plan @699
Which I have never applied for. When I make a complaint against this reply fro vodafone is that I have requested that. And when I ask for
any evedance they said there is no evidance of that.
2) Bill March 2008
Here in this bill Vodafone has cross all the limits they have charged me the things which I have never applied for.
I have one number under my family plan 9819372353. The basic monthly charges for that no added without any notifications.
a) Charge for vodafone rmg promo 99 Rs (Not applied from my side)
b) Cricket pack@49 24 Rs (Not applied from my side)
c) Itemised Bill quater yearly 99 Rs. (Not applied from my side)
In the main no i.e
As the mobile connect 1 gb allows 1gb free download though I have charged with the download charges.
Is this going to continued with the next bills also..
Is this the bull shit vodafone offers to customers.
When we call at 111 our call has cut between the conservation.
Please address my query Immedeatley.
I need a serious action against this.
Shekhar
on March 20, 2008 at 5:00 pm India Mobile Forum wrote:
Great review!!
on April 5, 2008 at 3:34 pm rohit khatri wrote:
i have lost my mobile phone how to find out ple give me a reply as fast as possible thank you.
on April 25, 2008 at 12:42 pm namitabh wrote:
DNA published a story filing of police complaint by BTUA against Vodafone.
It is very difficult to bring to the common people’s attention such actions by NGOs in the interests of the common public.
It was a pleasure to know that BTUA has filed a complaint as i thought maybe the consumer organisations are not allowed to file any complaint against the telecom operators.
With a deep and sad feeling, i am writing this mail to you that I have also faced the problem with Vodafone.
I am attaching the mail for your reference with strict secrecy and confidence as I dont know what to do and how to get justice or the “HAPPY TO HELP” service that Vodafone has started marketing for last few days.
I have taken 4 new connections as a corporate connection for my business purposes.
They have acknowledged the same by writing a letter to the firm and also by sending the firm the 4 bills, which were duly paid.
Suddenly, at 1 am or so in night , I received a sms that as per my request, they have changed the Talk-plans.
They have changed my plans without any oral or written or any other request from my side.
You can refer to the below mail for more details and the excuses that their callcenters executives have given.
I am hopeful that they will correct the mistake and wrong done by them and they will change the talk plan to the original GE - 275 plan.
best regards,
namitabh
9930992661
on May 6, 2008 at 11:19 pm airtel wrote:
if anyone wants to subscribe for airtel new postpaid connection or convert your current bill plan to the following scheme
rental - rs75
free calls - 200min to any local number
free sms - 200 to any local number
after the discounts the charges will be rs 1 flat
there is no other cost simply rs 75 as rental
you can also get good value or other corporate plans
for more information you can call me on my number-9987585953.i will provide u all the details
on May 8, 2008 at 4:04 pm pkj wrote:
Tell me about it. I am experiencing the same in Hyderabad :(. I have chronicled it here http://paresh.taleda.in/blog/2008/05/08/vodafones-poor-quality-of-service/
on May 23, 2008 at 4:43 pm Dilbagh wrote:
VODAFONE SUCKS …BIG TIME…BIGGER THAN THIS FONT…….
on June 10, 2008 at 12:56 pm Arppit wrote:
I m using vodafone since it was celforce in Gujarat i m highly satisfied with the services they offer. they provide a quality services. and customer care is also very good co-operative. i have never got any problems.
on June 12, 2008 at 11:17 am Naina wrote:
Should have read this earlier…Although i am in Delhi, had a terrible experience with vodafone. We paid the full amount with the promised that it would be activated within 24 hrs. First they said Verification wasnt required since the connection was in the same name as my sister who has been using hutch for last 5 yrs. Then after 2 days they said, its not been activated because the address wasnt verified. The agent did come by and varified, but guess its miscounication in their office. SIGH! then after almost 10 days with no reationale explaination, the customer care finally said, it wasnt activated because that same number was given to someone else. They so convienetly ask us to come by their branch office and collect the money back. I am truly aghast…at their behaviour…someone should teach them a lesson. Most importantly, the customer care should be trained to talk….such low quality people, wonder where vodafone got so many of them!
on June 19, 2008 at 12:56 am your enemy wrote:
you all are ass holes dont blame he company ,you will never see anycompany which has got its own owned gallery all the other companies are have franchisee galary and not run by the company,vodafone gallery provide standard quaility to the customers ,you all wont understand because you all are not eligible to use a mobile ,all are bhikaris ,you just want free services,have you ever aprecaited any good things doe by the company no you will never becuse ou all are ass holes.i like to use their service never had a problem.
and even if i had any problem i will try to get it rectified instead of cursing,
no comany is perfect every where there are problems it is not run by comuters
they are human sometimes problem may occur,dont tell me that you assholes do not make any mistake every body does the saem nobody is perfect ,
varun you are he biggest ass hole
on June 19, 2008 at 5:11 am Varun wrote:
Thanks dude! That was the most thoughtful comment on my blog ever!
on June 19, 2008 at 9:56 am Naina wrote:
Too late Mr. Enemy, we arent buying your shit. How much are they paying you to attack victim like us? Its very likely that you are the one who is getting a free connection, you will know when you realised you have wasted your time and money over some dumb people who call themselves ” Customer care”
Thanks varun for the platform to rant!
on July 28, 2008 at 1:45 pm JP wrote:
I think Mr. Enemy is the real mad / stupid … The words he used is refects the Vodafone service level……………….. Low level peoples always use such kind of words…………
Varun best of luck to show their face.
on August 6, 2008 at 4:17 pm Nikhil wrote:
Hey guys…..
Well its difficult for me to contradict all of you, but as its a free nation I would like to put my views too. Certainly Vodafone is not VERY good in service. But one must consider two things:
1. We cant compare Mumbai with other cities as population density is far far greater in mumbai, which means same network capacity is shared by more users in mumbai than in other cities.
2. We cant compare GSM and CDMA users. Both are very different technologies and uses very different hardware. CDMA will always be better in terms of voice clarity, for example FM radio always has better sound clarity than AM signal. And there are very less CDMA subscribers in Mumbai compared to GSM subscribers, so naturally network congestion is very less in mumbai on CDMA platform.
In CDMA section, and in terms of voice clarity and other services, Reliance is best in India. It was due to the marketing strategy of reliance (like free incoming for the first time in mobile section) that made it very famous in publics eye. Tata is also very good in this section. Anyone whose looking for serious connectivity must take Reliance.
But there are certain limitations also. like the handset. One has to buy a new handset(based on CDMA technology). And choices of handsets are also very limited and many times the handsets are priced higher bit more that their rivals in the GSM technology having the same features.
Where as in GSM sector handset choice is virtually limitless. And 3G will be soon started in India. It will enable mobile internet at never before speeds. It will allow video telephony(many nokia n-series who have dual cameras are enable for this service). And same technology will take time in CDMA in India, and the reason this time will be technology. Already crippled by handset limitation, implementing the 3G technology on CDMA platform when more than 90% users have simple basic handsets, will be financially difficult for CDMA operators. We already have 3G/EDGE enabled phones like nokia n-series etc, and they are not very expensive. But same phone in CDMA will be quiet expensive.
Vodafone has presence in countries where 3G is already in use and even 4G has been started. So they are prepared to take the lead as soon as govt clears the spectrum policy.
In mumbai, Vodafone and BPL are quiet good. Airtel spends all its money on SRK and Ads, so always has lesser amount to upgrade network. Vodafone is also no less in spending on ads but its network is far better than airtel. BPL on other hand spends nothing on ads and hence has a very good network, and its the cheapest too.
I had same number on Orange then Hutch and now Vodafone since last 6 years, and I like the network. Sure at some places its bad, but fortunately I dont live at those places, so no problems on my part. I like to change handsets within 6-8 months (cheap ones not the n series and all) so I donot opt for CDMA.
So friends do not blame Vodafone if u have poor network at your place. Its destiny of GSM in over populated places like Mumbai to have a fluctuating network. Take a Reliance if you want 24/7 uninterrupted connectivity and you are ready for handset bondage.
Final tips for Mumbai people:
1. CDMA(Reliance or TATA) - total network, bit expensive, hanset bondage.
2. Vodafone- good network, quiet cheap, good services like 3G in near future, many good offers and schemes, least hidden conditions.
3. BPL- excellent network, cheapest among all operators, fewer services.
4. Airtel - No No. Not at all. Airtel might be good in Delhi and UP but in Mumbai its useless. 80-90% call drops, no network inside buildings.
4. MTNL TRUMP- worst network, expensive compared to BPL, horrible voice clarity, mostly phone is out of coverage area.
on August 6, 2008 at 4:32 pm Nikhil wrote:
I have no idea about vodafone postpaid services. I have alays preffered prepaid. Postpaid is usually expensive and they charge for CLIP and all seperately, plus taxes. Its always better to go prepaid. For example{in mumbai}
1. Buy a new voda prepaid for Rs. 100/
2. Recharge it with Rs. 96/– lifetime vailidity( recharge of Rs.200 in 6 months necessary, but itna toh sabka use ho hi jaata hai)
3. Topup recharge as your requirements, no tension of bills and all.
4. There are some good offers like- monthly rental of Rs. 53/ and all local calls are 50p/min. Same offer is on BPL for Rs.32 which also includes local sms at 50p.
5. So in all monthly you pay just Rs 53 as rental, rest all your usage…quiet cheap!!
on August 11, 2008 at 8:49 am Subramanian wrote:
Dear all,
Sathyameva Jayathe ! In the land of Mahathma Gandhi how conscince pricking is the modern sales nd swindling. Just think deeply on so called terms like life time validity, but recharge Rs.200 every 6 months, in Chennai life time means till 2021 (something like this)
We have had starting from April 2008 serious issues with prepaid recharges. The Vodfone shop failed to answer properly and recharge for the needed plans. Whereas the staff were not either knowledgeable of the prepaid plans (or) were deliberately lying Rs.1000 for each ceel phone got lost in 100 days instead of expected and assured 6 months. Vodafone seems to be banking on deliberate reckless customer guidance and then leave the customer to the saying “Let the buyer beware” (Please notice (the obvious ?!) that one must spend ones hours of time to study for oneself in Vodfone web site , the ever changing plans so that one can recharge for the correct plan . )
When trying to sort out the issue Vodfone simply answered to recharge for Rs.888 for 6 next months. We did not recharge. We wanted 80 days more validity including agreement to pay if any extra amount over Rs.1000 to make up for what was before recharge amount for 6 montha. When further trying to communicate and it appeared as if some “Happy to Help” good & favorable answer will be coming from Corp Care- we realised that earlier left out talk time of over Rs.800 for each phone was taken off (so called nice terminology that customer forfeits the talk time). We needed cell phone reconnection badly since some important calls were coming and we were mobile. On recharging on 18th day (forfeit 15 days time) the new plan is Rs.888 for 1 year validity. But lost talk time of over Rs.800 for each phone till this moment look as lost for ever. Vodfone has not been replying any mails.
Regardless of time and money lost what has been disturbing our minds is poor quality service and “do not care” attitude. A good Customer Care could have easily answered that there is new scheme Rs.888 for 1 year- just recharge it and make sure doing it within 15 days- as otherwise earlier talk time would expire
If we would not be mistaken please allow us to state that in several other countries with the same multi national companies, things do not go the same way. It is the “chaltha hai” “today is another day” attitude in India from Vodfone Shop level to Corporate level that puts Customers on the run
on August 31, 2008 at 10:15 am Yukthi.P.R wrote:
Finally !dea cellular launched in our city…
I’m gonna take a new connection of !dea. While i stayed at kerala i was using Idea cellular and its services are quite nice….. good coverage in kerela…No.1 service provider with large number of subscribers… Good gprs speeds….a variety of VAS…Good customer care….
I found every thing was nice with IDEA. I bought an another connection of IDEa for Girl friend and talk to her for free for 365 days by just paying 50rs as rental for F&F plan. i am very much attracted to IDEA with that..
STD rates are also as low as 1.30. while airtel charges 1.50.
Really….
IDEA can change ur life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks IDEA…
yukthi_ker@yahoo.co.in
on September 2, 2008 at 9:08 am Mitesh Ruparelia , Ahmedabad. wrote:
1) How come Vodafone Company charge Rs.39/monthly for the Bonus/Tariff offer instead of Rs. 33/monthly (which’s the price)without informing me ?
(2) While asking to Vodafone customer care executive, what a nonsense questions he asks such as how much was the balance before and after money got deducted instead of giving straight answer to the qurestion that what was the Rs. 39 deducted for?
(3) Inspite of telling him persistently that I have not been informed by the company if price is increased, Vodafone executive says that check your inbox and I had to raise my voice stating that come my place, take my cell and show me the message if received. So in a nutshell he just wanna play their recorded speech rather then to listen and understand to the customer. He didnt even elevated the call to superviser when i asked me to do so.
(3) After all these bullshit conversation executive of the vodafone says that price is hiked so you have been charged Rs. 6 more.
Mitesh Ruparelia
on September 4, 2008 at 8:30 am TOSHA wrote:
I M TOSHA.I HAVE JST ACTIVATED A VODAFONE NUMBER A FEW DAYS AGO.
FOR 2 DAYS IT WORKED BT THM SUDDENLY I WAS CALLED UP AND SAID THAT THERE WAS SUM PROBLEM IN THE DOCCUMENTARY SUBMITTED.
I RESUBMITTED THE DOCCUMENTS.TAT DAY THEY WERE HAVING SUM PROBLEM IN THEIR MACHINE. AND I WAS SAID TAT AS SOON AS THEIR MACHINE WILL B ALRITE THEY WILL FEED IN THE INFORMATION AND IT WILL B DONE BY TAT DAY ITSELF.
BT NOW IT HAS BEEN 1 WEEK SINCE THN BT STILL THE PROBLEM PERSIST AND I CALLED UP CUSTOMER CARE 3 TIMES BT THEY DONT EVEN GIVE A SATISFACTORY REPLY.
INFACT WEN I ASKED THEM THE NUMBER OF THEIR COMPANY OF GHATKOPAR BRANCH THEY SAID THEY WERE UNAWARE OF THE NUMBER.
CAN U BLIVE IT ???????????
PPL WORKIN IN VODAFONE COMPANY DNT EVEN KNOW THE NUMBERS OF THEIR COMPANY’S BRANCH.
ISN’T TAT STRANGE!!!!!
I FEEL VODAFONE IS GETTING WORST DAY BY DAY.
AND SOON THE COMPANY WILL GO DOWN IF IT CONTINUED WORKIN THIS WAY AND DIDN’T IMPROVE NOW ITSELF.
on September 20, 2008 at 3:01 pm pradyuman wrote:
Posted: 2008-09-20 by Pradyuman N Patel
unauthorized GPRS and Caller tune charge every month
Vodafone India Complaints - No GPRS in Iphone even though GPRS charges
Review all Vodafone India complaints
Vodafone India
Posted: 2008-09-20 by Pradyumanpatel [send email]
No GPRS in Iphone eventhough GPRS charges
Complaint Rating: 0 % with 0 votes
Company information:
Italica ceramics P.Ltd-
702, Devashish Appartment
kalawad road -Rajkot
India
Phone: 919825193933
My India VODAFONE Number is 91 9825193933
I am using Iphone get from USA from my relative since last six month, In july my mobile bill from vodafone have GPRS charge RS, 67.10, as they people alwayas say and it is true that GPRS can not work on Iphone, i have complain and they agree to rebate in next bill,
I found no rebate in next bill but, again they charge Rs37.20 for GPRS, i have told to higher authorities, they given me promise but second time no rebate,
today when i am busy with call get popup sms u activated caller tune and they charge me, even i have not dialed indicated number with *, again i connect to complain they agree to rebate and promise to cancel the charge, they are fail to resolve the prob after two month, always giving promise to solve
three time complain but no result, every time they say in GUJARATI, NInchit rahejo, have avoo nahithai” CAN we NISCHINT WITHOUT RESOLVING PROBLEM any paying more money every month,(languagae and tone of talk from vodafone rep is alwayes good but no result, wt the meaning of soft langauge alwayes need result)
We can conclude that, common charge we can see that is wrong, can complain and invisibly worn charges they wt can do unauthorized amount they rise ? it is question of trust on vodafone, i have more than 200 phone in group and vodafone have so many millions of subscriber in india, if they do so in only in one-day they can earn invisibly lots of money by loots, it is not the way of earning money,
So question of trust and not attain the complain in proper way, even though i get tired to complain for every month i get more unauthorized charges so i get in tense with heavy depression,
so today i went to contact my doctor they advice me make off your mobile service, can we off my business due to mobile?
CAN we get answer from authorize person from VODAFONE and can we get solution and came out from Heavy loot from people?
on September 22, 2008 at 5:01 am subhash ghai wrote:
hi,
I have been using vodafoe since long time. since it was orange( 6 years i think). the service was good earlier but now from few months its the worse i have seen. My calls get dropped almost everytime within minute even in full range, sometimes when someone is trying to call me, I get no ring or call at all and that persons call goes to voicemail. I was wrongly charged a few thousand Rs. as downloading fees even though I had taken 1gb gprs plan. when complained they said you pay htis now and it will be reversed back in your next bill. network has gone bad. would suggest to take reliance or Tata for uninterupted seemless service 24/7.
on October 23, 2008 at 6:13 am Amitabh Bacchan wrote:
Hamar mobile khoi gava!
on November 21, 2008 at 9:17 am Emurbwheerm wrote:
to: Admin - If You want to delete your site from my spam list, please visit this site for instructions: stopspamtoday.007sites.com