As an open-source enthusiast and indie entrepreneur, reliable internet is my lifeblood. But lately, my loyalty to Airtel has been put to the test. Let me share my bandwidth battle and why MTNL might be the unexpected hero in this tale.
The Dual Connection Dilemma
My setup was simple:
- Primary: Airtel
- Backup: MTNL
But the tides are turning, and here’s why.
Airtel’s Mysterious Math
Recently, I’ve noticed some peculiar patterns with Airtel:
- Bandwidth counters never align with my router’s monthly stats
- The discrepancy is consistently 20-30% (combining upload and download)
- This forces me to buy Smartbytes packs for nearly a third of each month
The conclusion? It feels deliberate. I’m paying for 75GB but only getting 50GB. That’s not just a rounding error; it’s a significant chunk of my digital life.
The MTNL Surprise
Contrary to popular belief, MTNL has proven to be the more reliable option in the NCR region. No mysterious disappearing gigabytes, just straightforward service.
Why This Matters
For developers and tech enthusiasts like us, every byte counts. We’re not just streaming Netflix; we’re:
- Pushing code to repositories
- Downloading large datasets
- Collaborating on global projects
- Testing new hardware and software
Unreliable bandwidth isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a roadblock to innovation.
The Bigger Picture
This issue raises important questions:
- How many others are experiencing similar discrepancies?
- Is this a widespread practice among ISPs?
- What can consumers do to protect their digital rights?
Your Turn
Have you experienced similar issues with your ISP? Whether it’s Airtel, MTNL, or another provider, I’d love to hear your stories. Let’s start a conversation about consumer rights in the digital age.
Share your experiences in the comments, and let’s work together to demand transparency and fairness from our internet service providers.