This review on Bharti Airtel Digital TV was written by Dinesh Kumar (mmindchd@gmail.com). You must have seen the ads on TV – Airtel has launched its DTH service called Digital TV. I buy one, from Saak Communication, SCO 279, Sector 32-D, Chandigarh (Phone: 0172-461995, 4616655) for Rs 2000. I am told that activation is very easy, I have to call a toll-free number: 1800 102 8080. It seems that the number can only be connected from Airtel phones, which was not told to me. I try for two days, and then approach Saak Communications, who tell me that it is not possible. See they can get the number anytime! (Translation: the customer is a fool or a liar).  Then a paper in the Digital TV packet tells me that Airtel has appointed nodal officers for redressing customer grievances. The number for Chandigarh, 0172-467 0021 is either not functional or is overwhelmed by complaints. They just do not answer the phone. So much for the call center number and the nodal center! If they are not answering the phone now, what will they do if my system develops a snag? I go to another Airtel dealer, who tells me that the number cannot be dialed from any other phone apart from Airtel phones. He also tells me that the price of Digital TV is Rs 1699 and I have been overcharged by Rs 301 by Saak Communications. I go to Saak Communications and ask them to get the Digital TV and also tell me why they have over-charged me. They are able to do neither (Convenient excuse: Server is not working). I am asked to come again and again to their office till their wretched server start functioning! A stupid looking fellow, who appears to be the owner/partner of Saak Communications, tells me that that my complaints of over charging “are not possible.” The situation now is that I cannot get through to the Airtel call center or nodal officer, I have already spent Rs 2000 on a gadget which has not been installed, and of course I have been overcharged by about 15%. I can’t get through to Airtel. Under the situation, my dreams of watching Digital TV have evaporated. I don’t know when this wretched thing will be … [Read more...]