Tata Docomo CDMA Prepaid Mobile & Drama

Tata Docomo CDMA Saga

1. Used STV95, bundled data & main account balance exhausted and I had negative balance. That should not be happen, but TTL says that’s the system, they can not disconnect internet on CDMA. I used MTS, BSNL CDMA and Reliance CDMA – nothing such happened with me.
2.  TTL did a mess, it does not show how much negative balance the customer has. On calling 12527 it's always zero.
3. Called 198, the lady told me she can not check my negative balance, rather asked me to call 121.
4. Called from Tata Docomo GSM to 121, they can not help me for CDMA mobile.
5. Tried to call 198, but call did not go to CC representative, instead IVR says to visit Tata Store. Though Tata Store could not help me.
6. Mailed to listen@tatadocomo.com, reply: no negative balance w.r.t M11463391 Dec 7
7. On 9^th Dec topup of Rs 25 by coupon was done on 92304***** but balance was zero very soon. I became suspicious that there may be some negative balance.
8. Again mailed to listen@tatadocomo.com, reply: we do not find any recharge done on my mobile that day (w.r.t. M11486117)
9. On 10^th Dec I recharged Rs 20 by online recharge of tata Docmo to check out transaction details. I got Rs 15.8 as talktime and I made some calls. After 2-3 hours I got text from 12527 saying: my core balance is 0.00
10. Then called 198 the guy confirmed there are some Rs 53.xx as negative balance.
11. Next I recharged my no, with Rs 110. Nearly after 12 hrs the negative balance was not adjusted.
12. Tweeted @tatadocomo got the same causal reply.
13. Top up of Rs 20 done on Dec 11.
14. At around 5pm Dec 11, the negative balance adjusted. and I was able to access internet.

 

• Note that when you have negative balance you can not access internet, even on 1x.
• Tata Docomo customer care is exceptionally good even over twitter or email, that's for GSM customers only. CDMA customers will be fucked up as usual as TTL has no interest for voice customers on CDMA platform.

 

Which You May Ask Me

Why nobody is interested in CDMA and you are using Tata CDMA

I am well interested on CDMA, my primary no is MTS CDMA, own a Reliance CDMA, tried my hands with BSNL CDMA. On my personal take CDMA EVDO is superior to 3G/HSPA simply because of coverage, 3G/HSPA may be faster at a time, but EVDo offers consistency.  I am using Tata CDMA because it offers best priced high speed internet on mobile – 4.5 GB for Rs 95. 

WAIT for a BIG STORY based on my experience

Customer Experience Tells Tata Tele Will Eventually Exit from CDMA Voice Market

It is a fact that wireless market is dominated by GSM players, but that monopoly is in voice only, wireless internet market is highly captured by CDMA players with their dongle business. With 800 MHz spectrum CDMA players rolled out 3rd generation Evolution Data Only (EVDO) technology a long before HSPA services from GSM players came into the market. 

But anyhow the data market for CDMA players are restricted to dongles only, internet on CDMA mobile handset is quite unexplored option. Reasons behind this are lack of data enabled CDMA handsets and operators’ unwillingness & ignorance. 

Following the migration to GSM platform India’s CDMA giants – Reliance Communications and Tata Teleservices are more focused on their GSM arm, they also hold 3G spectrum on 2100 MHz band to offer GSM compatible HSPA services. 

Recently I have started to dig data on mobile option from CDMA players. Reliance provides excellent CDMA data services with OMH RUIM, there is no hassle. MTS OMH RUIM requires EVDO activation – send ‘VASACT HSD’ to 51230. BSNL’s voice enabled RUIM comes with 1X data services activated, there is only one 1X data plan – unlimited usage (on roaming too) for Rs 350/30days.

But the worst performer is Tata Indicom, now rebranded as Tata Docomo CDMA. I get a OMH RUIM of Tata Docomo CDMA, but cannot able to access internet directly, though via BREW it is possible. After thorough investigations and some talks with Tata Tele officials I came to know some facts:

1. Internet access is not activated on new CDMA connections.
2. Internet can be accessed over BREW platform, TTSL offers free Opera Mini on BREW.
3. Though Internet access is disabled, WAP/BREW access is activated
4. To get direct access to internet, you have to get a Speed Living RUIM. Normal OMH RUIM will detect EVDO signal on compatible devices but internet access will be limited on BREW only.
5. There is no unified plan for using the OMH RUIM on mobile, modem, router, tablet, laptop at one go. RUIM based modem services are also discontinued.
6. As Speed Living RUIM is currently discontinued, you cannot access to internet directly with Tata Docomo CDMA.
7. Tata Docomo CDMA listed some plans on their website as Mobile Internet packs which are strictly for Mobile Internet & Walky. You will get only 1X speed with these plans even if you are using a EVDO supported handsets.
8. Tata Docomo CDMA has some plans called Tata Zone Packs which are good for nothing.
9. Conclusion: If you have a data enabled CDMA mobile and like to access internet without any hassle, never take a new Tata Docomo CDMA connection.

I also came to know the facts regarding TTSL’s step-motherly behaviour with its CDMA services. With no promotion and few offers TTSL lost many CDMA voice customers compared to other CDMA operators. TTSL rents its voice network to MTS India. 

TTSL already shut down the CDMA products under Virgin Mobile brand (voice, 1X dongle, EVDO dongle). They are also on the way to phase out Virgin brand on GSM platform too.

TTSL is focused on GSM expansion, users report quality of CDMA services (including Photon Whiz & Photon+) goes down in last few months, while that of GSM services has been improved a lot.

So what is the future of CDMA business of TTSL? Will they sell off the CDMA business?

 While 3G/HSPA is still not mature enough, it is hard to predict the future. Also TTSL does not have 4G spectrum to leave CDMA-EVDO. They also invested a lot for EVDO-RevB expansion. The future of TTSL’s CDMA services lies in the hand of data services, at a certain point TTSL will have to eventually shut down voice services.