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Is Your ISP Giving You a Raw Deal?

November 8, 2024 0 Comments

As of 2023, TRAI has highlighted quality of service (QoS) issues as a persistent concern among Indian consumers, with complaints regarding network disruptions, inconsistent speeds, and hidden fees. TRAI receives thousands of complaints monthly, which indicates widespread dissatisfaction with service quality and transparency in ISP billing practices.

A reliable internet connection is as essential as electricity in today’s digital age. Complaints about poor service quality, hidden charges, and inconsistent speeds are widespread. Understanding if you’re getting your money’s worth from your ISP is crucial. Let’s dive into the ways to determine if your ISP is delivering on its promises.

Challenges in Internet Services

  • Internet Speeds vs. Pricing: India has a competitive internet pricing structure with some of the lowest rates globally; however, speed discrepancies remain an issue. For example, average broadband speeds are often lower than advertised, which impacts user experience significantly. The QoS standards require ISPs to maintain a minimum 80% of the subscribed speed, but several providers fall short of this metric, leading to consumer dissatisfaction.
  • Hidden Charges: According to a survey conducted by LocalCircles, approximately 60% of internet users in India felt that their ISP charged fees not clearly communicated at sign-up, including installation fees, rental fees for routers, and excessive fees for late payments. 
  • Data Caps: While some plans advertise “unlimited” data, they come with Fair Usage Policy (FUP) limits that throttle speeds after a certain usage threshold is reached.
  • Customer Service: Poor customer service and support can exacerbate frustrations, making it difficult for users to resolve issues or get accurate information about their plans.

How to Find Out if Your ISP is Giving You a Raw Deal

  1. Check Your Internet Speed: Use online tools like Speedtest.net to measure your actual download and upload speeds. Compare these results with the speeds promised in your plan.
  2. Review Your Bill: Look for hidden charges and fees. Ensure that you are not being billed for services you did not request.
  3. Examine Your Usage: Monitor your data usage to see if it aligns with what your ISP is charging you for. Some ISPs might throttle your speeds if you exceed a certain data limit without informing you.
  4. Customer Reviews and Complaints: Read reviews and complaints about your ISP online. Websites like MouthShut.com and TRAI’s Consumer Grievance Redressal Mechanism can provide insights.

Measures to Take if You Feel Shortchanged

  1. Contact Customer Support: Raise your concerns with your ISP’s customer service. Keep records of all communications for future reference.
  2. Negotiate Your Plan: Compare your current plan with other ISPs and use this information to negotiate a better deal. Ask for discounts or promotions that may not be advertised.
  3. Switch Providers: If you’re not satisfied with your current ISP, consider switching to a different provider. Look for ISPs that offer better speeds, customer service, and overall value.

Broadband Penetration and Accessibility

India’s internet landscape shows a stark contrast in accessibility between urban and rural areas. While urban consumers enjoy more ISP options and higher speeds, rural areas still struggle with connectivity. The rural broadband penetration rate is significantly lower than urban, as per TRAI reports, making it challenging for rural consumers to switch to better providers or find competitive prices. This disparity limits consumer choices and leads to dissatisfaction among rural users, who feel locked into subpar services due to a lack of alternatives.

As India’s internet needs grow, consumers deserve ISPs that provide transparent pricing, reliable speeds, and better access across the country. 

Jaze ISP Manager helps ISPs streamline operations with feature-rich and configurable modules including lead management, helpdesk, customer portals and mobile applications in order to help serve customers better. These features ensure reliable service delivery and support to provide a great customer experience. Click here to know more.

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GPON Networks: The Future of Telecommunications

June 3, 2024 0 Comments

The world is moving towards an “always connected” reality, with growing numbers of devices demanding ever-increasing bandwidth. This surge in data creates a critical need for robust, secure, and sustainable network solutions. GPON (Gigabit Passive Optical Network) technology stands out as a frontrunner in meeting these demands.

What is GPON?

GPON utilizes fiber optic cables to transmit massive amounts of data between a central point and multiple distributed locations, spanning up to 20 kilometers. As the name suggests, it’s a passive network, meaning it doesn’t require any electrical equipment in the signal path, reducing energy consumption.

How Does it Work?

A GPON network consists of an OLT at the central office. This OLT communicates with ONTs installed at user locations through a fiber optic cable. One OLT port can manage up to 64 ONTs, with passive optical splitters dividing the signal efficiently. Data travels downstream (OLT to ONT) at 2.5 Gigabits per second (Gbps) and upstream (ONT to OLT) at 1.25 Gbps, offering superior broadband capabilities.

GPON transmission relies on a single optical path between the OLT and ONT, using different wavelengths: 1490nm downstream and 1310nm upstream.

Traditional Network vs. GPON

Downstream Transmission: In downstream transmission, data is packaged and addressed at the OLT, distributed in a “broadcast” manner. Each ONT only collects data specifically addressed to it.

Upstream Transmission: In upstream transmission, multiple ONTs send data to the OLT via a single fiber. This is achieved through time slots, where each ONT transmits information in its designated slot.

Technological advancements have led to enhanced GPON protocols like XG-PON, NG-PON2, and XGS-PON, which offer 10 Gbps transmission in both directions.

Key Benefits of GPON Networks:

Superior Bandwidth:  GPON offers significantly higher bandwidth compared to traditional copper networks, enabling faster downloads, uploads, and seamless streaming.

Long-Term Scalability: The underlying fiber optic infrastructure in GPON networks boasts a lifespan exceeding 25 years. Upgrading the network to handle future bandwidth demands only requires replacing terminal equipment, not the entire fiber optic cabling.

Sustainability Champion:  By reducing reliance on electrical equipment, GPON networks consume considerably less energy, making them a more environmentally friendly solution.

Cost-Effective:  Lower equipment requirements and a low-maintenance passive network translate to significant cost savings for both network operators and users.

Applications of GPON Networks:

GPON networks are revolutionizing how we connect, with applications extending beyond traditional internet access:

Remote Work: Reducing the need for commuting, allowing more time for other activities.

Remote Health Services: Minimizing travel and providing faster service.

Online Government Services: Streamlining public services and accelerating processes.

GPON networks are also applicable as local access networks (LANs), potentially replacing existing copper networks in:

  • Companies with numerous workstations or connection points (sensors, machine control, etc.)
  • University campuses
  • Large factories
  • Industrial zones and parks
  • Sports complexes
  • City councils

ISPs deploying GPON networks need to provision CPE devices and monitor devices for troubleshooting. Jaze ISP Manager provides TR069 based provisioning of credentials, Wi-Fi network provisioning as well as monitoring of critical statistics like fiber power levels and Wi-Fi signal strength.

Jaze ISP Manager also pulls SNMP data to monitor upload and download speeds and device statistics. This information is provided to the administrators along with the other details of the subscriber, thus enabling quick troubleshooting of issues and faster resolution leading to better customer satisfaction.

Also Jaze ISP Manager provides inventory management to manage the device life cycle right from purchase to deployment with end-to-end tracking and accountability helping you get better insights.

Click here to know more on how Jaze ISP Manager can help in managing your GPON deployment efficiently from procurement to provisioning and monitoring.

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