End of KPN monopoly?

I have a couple of posts on the KPN monopoly practices and their callous attitude towards customer and their comfort.

Against KPN
KPN monopoly rant

There was a situation where there seems to be no end to this.

Finally, there is some competition in this area now.

ABT Travels
ARC Travels

Both these guys are conglomerates with long time service in handling parcels. They have started their tour operations recently.

A refreshing change to a normal whining travel. Their buses are brand new and all are air conditioned. Secondly their charges are very fair and way cheaper than KPN volvo charges. More importantly they have decent facilities at their depots and depart in time.

Time for KPN to change or perish.

Airtel Customer Care

It is not worth saying that Airtel customer care (ACC) has still room to improve, rather they have a big warehouse to improve. Exactly, a lot more is desired from their pathetic customer care. For the same issue, every time I heard a different story.

Issue:
Wanted to change my tariff plan to corporate scheme

ACC Executive 1 says:
Need your corporate employee ID copy
Latest Pay slip
Introduction letter from HR

ACC executive 2 says:
Need your corporate employee ID copy
Latest Pay slip
Introduction letter from HR
Clear all your outstanding dues and unbilled amount through Airtel Relationship Centers (ARC)

ACC executive 3 says:
Nothing required. Corporate employee ID copy is sufficient but send a mail from your official mail ID.

With ACC executive 4 in ARC
With Corporate employee ID copy, I could change my plan (effective with in 48hrs)

Belur Halebidu Trip

Trip time:
1 day (from 6am to 10pm)

Commute:
Qualis

Route:
Bangalore - Neelamangala - Hassan - Belur - Halebidu - Hassan - Sharavanabelagola - Neelamangala - Bangalore (Mangalore route NH 48)

Both Belur and Halebidu has ancient temples build in Hoysala architecture. The temples are famous for their intricate artwork using soap stones. The temples were latter destroyed during the invasion.

Sharavanabelagola hosts the monolithic stone statue of Gomateswara.

Links:
Previous visit post is here

Photos:


Chennakeshava temple @ Belur


Post @ belur temple


panaromic view of temple complex


Kalasam


Beautiful sculptures


Carved posts


Carvings @ temple entrance


Eg of intricate carvings


One more example


Closeup


perspective view


Hoysaleshvara temple @ Halebidu


Inside Hoysaleshvara temple


Carvings @ entrance


Example of intricate carvings


Roof carvings


Profile view



View from hill top @ Sharavanbelagola


Stupa on sunset


Gomateswara statue

Finally Airtel budges

I have been whining about the lackluster response from Airtel on competitive mobile tariff plans. Finally Airtel has come up with a relatively competitive plan to Vodafone's corporate plan.

Monthly rental : 199Rs
CLIP - waived off

CUG - Local - Unlimited

Local
Airtel - Airtel - 0.20
Airtel - Ohters - 0.40
Airtel - landline - 0.60

STD
Airtel - Airtel - 0.50
Airtel - Ohters - 0.75
Airtel - landline - 1.00

Vodafone has similar tariff at lower rental of 175Rs.