India Broadband

Sify is working in partnership with Proxim Wireless and the two companies have now launched WiMAX solution with mobility features.

The company claims that this service is the first of its kind. The companies have deployed Proxim Wireless’s Tsunami MP.11 WiMAX product line as the core communications platform. The last mile access would be provided using the 5.8 GHz frequency band.

Sify is claiming that they have deployed over 700 Tsunami MP.11 base stations in addition to 3,500 subscriber units to provide Internet access, voice, and video broadband services. They aim to provide this facility to enterprise, residential, and cyber cafe subscribers in over 200 cities.

Lionel Chmilewsky, Senior Vice President- International, Proxim Wireless spoke on this initiative: “Sify’s deployment is certainly a strong endorsement of our WiMAX technology and product line. As India’s premier provider of broadband access services, Sify is setting the standard for delivering ‘triple play’ of voice, data, and video to subscribers wherever they are located throughout the country. We are pleased and honored to be their partner in this effort.”

Bhaskar S, Chief Technology Officer, Sify added: “After testing and evaluating products from a number of manufacturers over a period of eight months, we chose Proxim’s product line because the company met all our criteria, and its point-to-multipoint products offer the best packet processing capacity for last mile access.”

Mail From A Friend:

Hi,

First of all, I must straightaway say that I’m not saying most of the other reviewers are wrong.. but I definitely feel that Sify is copping the blame for the faults of the local providers, the guys who run the network in your area, do the installations etc.

Im in Navi Mumbai, Koparkhairane, and got my connection from SSV cable. Previously I used Iqara from Aashish cable. Theirs was the best service, 128kbps, 500 mb a month at 550 rupees. But I used use 2 packages per month usually, and couldnt download much stuff. The speed was great, and 99.99% uptime, but the mb cap was limiting.

So I switched to Sifys unlimited plan, 64kbps at 400/month. Its great!

SSV did take 3 weeks to make the connection, but that was because no one in my area had a sify connection already, hence they had to draw all the lines from scratch.
Once installed, its worked very well. Speeds are 64, less compared to my previous 128 from iqara, but its UNLIMITED !! So, not a problem

Its been down just twice for 2 hours each at night in 3 weeks of usage so far.

So, what I really feel is that if any people have had bad experiences, its because of the provider (cable operator, telecom provider etc), and not sify themselves. I’ve downloaded shitloads of stuff so far, and no hiccups. They even provide free licensed trend Micro AV if you dont have an AV installed.

Only thing I have a problem with is download speeds not crossing 12-14 kbps.

Also, you can upgrade the unlimited package to 128kbps, 256kbps etc for more monthly charges, which is a great benefit !

BEWARE OF SIFY INTERNET BROADBAND SERVICE PROVIDER

I have a Sifybroadband 256 kbps and have found mostly good speeds. I renewed every month package ( 256Kbps 500MB download) which according to the price list was Rs 380/- all inclusive for Taxes.

However, the Local Cable Operator charged me Rs 471/-claiming Rs 90/- as maintenance charges per month for last 03 months.

The bill never mentions nor gives details breakup of items. This additional collection was not mentioned nor updated anywhere by SIFY.

Also, prices vary from location to location with multiple cable vendor/francise within same region. Other cable operator in my region does not charge for Maintainence charges.

If I pay with my credit cards the charges are not taken into account.

SIFY IS “CHEATING CUSTOMERS” FOR HIDDDEN COST INVOLVED NOT MENTIONED DURING RENEWALS ON MONTHLY BASIS.

The charges for providing internet services are to be

borne by the service provider and not by the Customer

One solution is by providing profit margins to cable

operator rather billing valuable customer for repair

cost

There is no communication nor information available from sify for changes in operation/maintanence cost policy for all broadband internet subscribers.

I mailed customer care at Sify – and they replied that the cable operator could charge whatever he wants over and above the rate mentioned by Sify.. which means that Sify leaves us at the mercy of the cable operator, and leaves us to be fleeced by him!

Naturally, these maintenance charges problem came up only at renewal, and there were no maintenance charges initially!

Whatever relationship for cable operator with sify,

the service and charges needs to be fixed by sify as

Internet service provider mentioning all details for

the cost involved

I believe sify should prescribe cable maintenance charges upfront and not wash their hands off, and the charges must be mentioned in their rate list.

All Broadband users should be aware of hidden cost by SIFY broadband which is unjustified as compare to bandwidth usage charge on a daily basis.

I am rather disappointed and feel cheated, but naturally I am stuck, especially after having paid the initial connection charges of Rs 3000/. excluding NIC cost.

There are other broadband cable providers in this area, and I want to go in for TATA Broadband so as to get ride off “operation/maintanence” being charged by my Cable operator and at lower price as compared to sify broadband.

Awaiting for positive response and feedback for closure from sify only.