Unlimited Broadband plan

[Rudick]

Hi everyone
Came back here after such a long time that while signing up, the system had to tell me that my mail ID was already in use.
Been studying/working/living in Metro cities for quite some time now so never had problem in choosing a broadband service provider as both operators and plans were aplenty. Now shifting back home due to Covid, the broadband situation has become more important than ever. This is where I need help from fellow forum members.

Currently I'm using BSNL's broadband connection which has been here since 2006. Plan that is on, is 4GB CUL for which I'm paying 707 /- (inclusive of taxes) per month. Now it says speeds upto 10Mbps till 4GB and 2Mbps beyond that but even before daily FUP breach and decline, the actual download speed never goes beyond 250KBps.

My usage scenario includes, Video Calling/Conferencing, OTT TV viewing, Online MOOCs and Torrent Downloads.
In Delhi, my last station, I was using "Ten2Ten" broadband service and, even with their 500 UL plan, which gave almost 8MBps (yes MB, not Mb), my average monthly download traffic was around 800GB-1TB.

So here are my queries:

1. Is the speed being delivered commensurate with the plan?
2. Can it be improved? If yes then how?
3. Are Airtel or Reliance offering any "Truly Unlimited" plan, without the FUP?
4. Out of the 2, who has better Customer Support?
5. For a heavy usage/download, which/whose plan would you suggest?

 

[JB701]

where do you live now?

 

[Rudick]

Yamuna Nagar
BSNL is operating here. Jio is too, they've erected their poles and laid fibre too. Airtel too is operating but when I last applied for an Airtel plan, a guy called and said he can install the connection but the plan would be a a 6 month one as Airtel is not offering any monthly plan in Haryana.
It sounded shady to me so I declined. Thinking of calling the Customer Care myself to verify but then again the Airtel's page shows no unlimited plan. The 299 top-up is supposed to make any plan unlimited but even on a base plan that would mean 1100 per month, not including taxes.

Then there's also something called "NET Connect" operating here but their installation charges are almost 6500 and then 1000 per month for basic Unlimited plan. Didn't like that too much as non-descript operators always have QoS issues and even worse "Customer Care".

 

[Sushubh]

Airtel unlimited is 3333GB which is practically unlimited for 99 percent of use cases.

 

[Rudick]

These are the only 3 plans currently being offered at my location. Their veracity is yet to be verified.

 

[JB701]

Looks like they also have "unlimited" plan for 300 extra. Go for it, Airtel is usually very reliable.

 

[Sushubh]

Airtel website does not list all plans. There is almost always a cheaper plan and more expensive plans as well

 

[Gaurav15]

@Rudick get BSNL Fiber connection, you have an ADSL that is slow. But I would suggest Airtel though. Even here in Rohtak they’re giving 6 month plan as a first recharge, but after that you can start monthly. Even with 6 month advance, the upfront cost is not huge. In BSNL I paid 1000 installation + 2500 security for ONT + 1277 as security to BSNL. ₹4777 in total that doesn’t include first month bill. Airtel is asking for ₹6500+1000 for 6 months (for 200mbps, 600GB/month for these 6 months). It’s a much better deal. This 6 month thing is pnly for Yamunanagar, Spnipat and Rohtak. For all other cities in Haryana, they have normal plans. Another good option is JioFiber, But even they will charge 2500+one month recharge as advance.

 

[Rudick]

Back in 2012, when I moved to Delhi from Mumbai, I got Airtel Broadband plan then. It used to cost me almost 4000/- per month for Unlimited connection. I gave it up when cheaper alternative became available. But till I had it, I had no complains with Airtel.
A more and a serious consideration for me is Customer Support. As I'll be leaving this station too in near future, my parents would be the ones who'll be using whatever connection remains in place. In past with BSNL, they've had a good personal relation with people in local office so getting service wasn't much of an issue. How Airtel would be in this regards, is also an apprehension for me. More so because Internet has become the prime and most reliable way for my folks to remain in contact with family dispersed all over the globe.
Another factor would be the "freedom" ISP provides. I'd rather not get into establishing VPN and configuring Proxy if ISP engages in Traffic shaping and App signature based Throttling. Once I pay for it, I expect the speed I pay for and open access to Internet.

From what I've read online and above, I'll weigh my options between BSNL Fiber (if available, Jagadhari is a Fiber city but don't know if Yamunanagar is serviced under the same or not) and Airtel.
@PawanKumar Do you have an idea about Airtel's service and performance in Rohtak? Any service caveats?
@Sushubh Who's privy to such information ? More importantly who to ask about it ? I expected Airtel Reps to come forth with such offers as I've been an Airtel's cellular services customer since 2005.

 

[Sushubh]

BSNL is still doing code injection on insecure traffic I think. Airtel blocks way too many websites.