Busting the Myths: Don't Fall for Illogical Tricks of Local Internet Providers on your broadband connections
In India, there are approximately 6.5 lakhs (650,000) villages and 4000 cities and towns. Out of these, 300 cities have a population of more than 1 lakh (100,000) people. As part of the Digital India initiative, there were 692 million internet users in January 2023, with an internet penetration rate of 48.7% increase when compared to the previous year. However, when it comes to internet service providers (ISPs) such as Airtel, BSNL, and Jio, they primarily focus on providing services in crucial city locations, particularly in Tier 1 to Tier 2 areas. This means that sub-rural or remote regions at the level of tier 3 to tier 5 are often not covered by these major ISPs.
In such cases, multiple private internet operators occupy these regions, each representing their own brand and offering unique internet subscription plans to consumers. As a result, consumers in these areas have no choice but to rely on these private local internet operators for internet connectivity. However, these private providers often force their customers to purchase their custom-made service packs and expensive optical terminal units, FTTH modems, WiFi mesh routers, and other accessories from their preferred vendors at higher margins. Their prices are significantly higher compared to purchasing the same products online, where they are available at 30-50% cheaper rates.
When customers try to negotiate with local internet providers for lower prices or express their desire to purchase the products online, they are often ignored or threatened. The providers may claim that products bought it online or from other shops are not compatible with their internet services. This leads to around 95% of customers falling for the traps set by these private operators, believing that anything purchased elsewhere might cause issues. They may even disclaim responsibility if any problems arise from purchasing products online.
It is important to break this illogical myth and false information to make customers aware that they don't need to spend excessive money on devices from local vendors or operators. If you present yourself as a knowledgeable person in front of these providers, they may be less insistent on purchasing from their preferred vendors. However, it's worth noting that these cases may vary for different individuals.
To buy products online, there are several key factors to consider, including convenience, price, variety, security, and reviews. Please always try to buy the best FTTH modem or WiFi 6 ONT suitable for your home and make sure it covers under the warranty and the appropriate technical support. It's important for customers to be aware of their options and not be misled into unnecessary expenses by these private operators.
