How to check BSNL Broadband Account Usage?

[Nishant]

I'm using Excel 2007. Its a CRIME to expect quality services from BSNL. The guys out there won't even be knowing what is the difference between an XML file and an XLS file. Anyway we have no other options but to live with it, wasting our valuable time to find workarounds. I could find a way out as I'm from IT field. Think about a common man having only basic knowledge of computers. As you have asked, I'm providing a details with screenshots on how to get the total broadband usage from the file they provide.

First when u open a file, you will get the following error, you have to click on yes:

http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/6716/error1w.jpg

After that you will get the following error, select 'Open as an XML table' and click on OK.

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/2122/error2z.jpg

Now the third error pops up, just click on OK

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/5501/error3y.jpg

Finally you will see the list of usage on the screen, you might notice a arrow on top left corner of every cells. Thats where our problem is. It denotes that the numbers are stored as text.

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/5286/open1z.jpg

Now when we have to select all the cells under 'TotalVolinMBExcludingNightUnlimited', and when u take the pointer to the arrow on the left, a menu will appear. Select 'Convert to number'.

http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/7804/open2e.jpg

Now u can use the autosum feature to find the total.

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/6088/open3.jpg

And finally you have the total. We have to do all this only because the numbers are stored as text because of which the autosum feature won't work.

 

[Sushubh]

they can pretty much solve all the problems if they make this data available as CSV files.

 

[Nishant]

they can pretty much solve all the problems if they make this data available as CSV files.

I agree with you. But downloading an excel/csv file everytime, just to find total usage, is a pain. Instead they should concentrate in making the total available on the webpage itself, like it used to show in the old portal. It was very easy to find out the total usage without any problems. I'm sure they can do that easily.

 

[aesouza]

I'm using Excel 2007. Its a CRIME to expect quality services from BSNL. ... As you have asked, I'm providing a details with screenshots on how to get the total broadband usage from the file they provide.
...
Now when we have to select all the cells under 'TotalVolinMBExcludingNightUnlimited', and when u take the pointer to the arrow on the left, a menu will appear. Select 'Convert to number'.

...

nsm, thanks a lot for taking the time and trouble of making such a detailed post!

The part I couldn't get you answered here:Now when we have to select all the cells under 'TotalVolinMBExcludingNightUnlimited', and when u take the pointer to the arrow on the left, a menu will appear. Select 'Convert to number'.

I didn't know how to do it for a block of cells.

Incidentally, in OpenOffice, typing ".+" in the search box and "&" in the replace box also converts numbers as text (!!!) to numbers as numbers!

I can't believe people can be so stupid. Whether it's the guys at SAP or BSNL Kalyan, someone has goofed up big here.

 

[Nishant]

nsm, thanks a lot for taking the time and trouble of making such a detailed post!

The part I couldn't get you answered here:

I didn't know how to do it for a block of cells.

Incidentally, in OpenOffice, typing ".+" in the search box and "&" in the replace box also converts numbers as text (!!!) to numbers as numbers!

I can't believe people can be so stupid. Whether it's the guys at SAP or BSNL Kalyan, someone has goofed up big here.


You're most welcome. I did this detailed post only to help people who are finding it difficult to calculate the usage. Hope this will help most of them. But as you said before, we are the only two that are facing this problem. No one else cares, or are not bothered. This is one of the most common reason BSNL takes everything lightly. Who's gonna ask them!!!!

 

[aesouza]

You're most welcome. I did this detailed post only to help people who are finding it difficult to calculate the usage. Hope this will help most of them. But as you said before, we are the only two that are facing this problem. No one else cares, or are not bothered. This is one of the most common reason BSNL takes everything lightly. Who's gonna ask them!!!!

Just for a laugh:India, with vast IT skills, could protect its interests in case of any offences, he said.
Source

 

---

[essbebe]

It may take another six months before this selfcare site/s work properly.
BSNL does not have Software programmers and I think , lowest tender is accepted
.from Software companies.
I suggested to BSNL that the page should carry the Company's name , with a Feedback provision,
complaints/and suggestions.so that they get their share of complaints/ suggestions.difficulties etc.
For Instance Take 59.xx.xx.xx portal. Practically No complaints and even DataFox has not been modified for more than two years I think. for these users.

So enough of grumbling and try this application
Bandwidth monitor, bandwidth speed test, bandwidth and traffic monitoring tool for Windows
Keep it on H24 24/7 or whenever system is on.
Choose NU block as Blue box , so that meter does not record usage.
Compare following month with your bill or at selfcare.
it would not record VOIP traffic. Also
additional computers, unless set. not tried ( say in WIFI Mode )a

 

[Nishant]

Just for a laugh:
Source

LMAO. Good one.... :hysterical:

---------- Post added at 02:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:39 PM ----------

It may take another six months before this selfcare site/s work properly.
BSNL does not have Software programmers and I think , lowest tender is accepted
.from Software companies.
I suggested to BSNL that the page should carry the Company's name , with a Feedback provision,
complaints/and suggestions.so that they get their share of complaints/ suggestions.difficulties etc.
For Instance Take 59.xx.xx.xx portal. Practically No complaints and even DataFox has not been modified for more than two years I think. for these users.

So enough of grumbling and try this application
Bandwidth monitor, bandwidth speed test, bandwidth and traffic monitoring tool for Windows
Keep it on H24 24/7 or whenever system is on.
Choose NU block as Blue box , so that meter does not record usage.
Compare following month with your bill or at selfcare.
it would not record VOIP traffic. Also
additional computers, unless set. not tried ( say in WIFI Mode )a

I use Networx. Its really a good software. But the only problem is I have a Desktop PC and a Macbook. I mostly use Macbook for casual surfing and the PC for downloading stuffs. In this scenario, its difficult to monitor bandwidth. Also I'm unable to find a good bandwidth monitor for Max OS X (I'm using OS X Leopard 10.5.8).

 

[essbebe]

LMAO. Good one.... :hysterical:

---------- Post added at 02:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:39 PM ----------



I use Networx. Its really a good software. But the only problem is I have a Desktop PC and a Macbook. I mostly use Macbook for casual surfing and the PC for downloading stuffs. In this scenario, its difficult to monitor bandwidth. Also I'm unable to find a good bandwidth monitor for Max OS X (I'm using OS X Leopard 10.5.8).

I tried a Google Search and found some bandwidth meters are listed for MAC OS X etc. Please try . I cannot test it.

 

[Nishant]

After spending an hour searching, I finally found a good program which is serving my need. Its called Bitmeter OS. Its a pkg file and works as a kernel link in Mac OS. We can see our usage with graphs etc by typing http://localhost:2605 (its using a port to display result, web interface). Check out the screenshots:

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/140/picture1ba.png

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/7308/picture2kpn.png

http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/1140/picture3yln.png

Till the BSNL guys fix several bugs in their new portal, i'll have to stick to Networx and Bitmeter to keep a tab on my usage. I don't want to cross my free usage under any circumstances.
The only problem i found in this software is we cannot exclude happy hours. Anyway, i use my Windows PC for night downloads. So I may not require that now. But i'm planning to use the MAC for night downloads (to save electricity of course )

I will implement that only after i find a perfect bandwidth monitoring for MAC.