Along with millions of other users, I too got an SMS from the merry folks at Airtel (my cellphone service provider) dated 30th Dec 09 at 9:35AM. Here is the content:
"Kindly note your discounted SMS tariff will not be applicable on 31 Dec 09 & 1 Jan 10. All SMS sent on this day will be charged @ Rs.1 as per the normal tariff."
In any case, the situation in the state as it is with all the bandhs and mild disorderly behavior, I am betting there won't be a large number of "Happy New Year!" greetings flying around. Though I can't say the same for the rest of the country who'll have to pay the whole rupee for each message.
Update, Jan 2nd 2010:
2 Billion SMSes sent on New Year's eve in India. The service operators made a killing, put together they made around Rs. 1.5 billion with the varying tariffs across plans and geographies. Seems some Airtel packages offered messaging @1 paise (Rs. o.o1) per SMS. By that measure they must have my profile up their in the "sucker" category who would be happy to pay a premium of a 100 times for the exact same service.
In the spirit of consumer awareness, I therefore was eagerly awaiting the "Mobile Number Portability" scheme that the telecom regulatory authority was to introduce on January 1st across the various service providers at a nominal rate of Rs. 19 . The cartel though had the last laughs by successfully delayed its implementation yet again, this time by atleast 6 months.
"Kindly note your discounted SMS tariff will not be applicable on 31 Dec 09 & 1 Jan 10. All SMS sent on this day will be charged @ Rs.1 as per the normal tariff."
In any case, the situation in the state as it is with all the bandhs and mild disorderly behavior, I am betting there won't be a large number of "Happy New Year!" greetings flying around. Though I can't say the same for the rest of the country who'll have to pay the whole rupee for each message.
Update, Jan 2nd 2010:
2 Billion SMSes sent on New Year's eve in India. The service operators made a killing, put together they made around Rs. 1.5 billion with the varying tariffs across plans and geographies. Seems some Airtel packages offered messaging @1 paise (Rs. o.o1) per SMS. By that measure they must have my profile up their in the "sucker" category who would be happy to pay a premium of a 100 times for the exact same service.
In the spirit of consumer awareness, I therefore was eagerly awaiting the "Mobile Number Portability" scheme that the telecom regulatory authority was to introduce on January 1st across the various service providers at a nominal rate of Rs. 19 . The cartel though had the last laughs by successfully delayed its implementation yet again, this time by atleast 6 months.
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