Internet providers

Sify: Cable internet.

-(Feb-March 2005 in Bandra) Absolutely terrible connection - never worked, and equally bad speed and service (by Spearhead below). Had to pay installation charges of about rs 4,000 at the time.

Spearhead Local cable internet provider. Have an office in Bandra, just off Hill Road.

-From my experience (Oct 2006 to September 2007), service is poor ("another 30 mins sir" which they will tell you for the sixth time after 5 hours), speed ok, connection will often be down for a few hours. Cost (prepaid) quite expensive at time, but prices have gone down. Spearhead look after Sify's customers

Net9 Local cable internet provider in Bandra. Office near Rizvi College in Bandra West.

-I have had Net9 for over a year (all of 2007). My internet regularly goes out. I have Net9 on speed dial and have to talk with them at least once a week to find out what happened, and often several times per week. Cost for unlimited download plan at 256k speed = ~Rs. 1200 / month, comparable to Sify and YouTelecom. They set up my internet within 24 hours though and they send out their engineers if there is a problem with something. Plus no third party app to install - just plug in the cable and go.

MTNL Triband: DSL (phone line-based). Need a landline connection to get.

-Speed is pretty good (best I've had in Bandra so far), goes down occasionally (but generally pretty good), no real need to get in contact with them but pray if you do. I had MTNL in floods of 2005 and lost connection for two weeks. Going to office to complain was a waste of time. Cost is reasonable.

Youtelecom cable internet

-(November 2007 to Feb 2008 in Bandra) Pretty good speed (little slower than MTNL), connection reliable, took ages to get it set up but otherwise they are reasonably efficient, cost for my purposes - fine about Rs 750 per month. You need address proof to get connection. No installation charges.

Hathway cable internet

-(Jan 2006 to Feb 2008 in Colaba). Speed varies quite a lot, cost about Rs 600 per month, was installation charges of about Rs 2500 when I had it set it up.

Airtel cable internet

-Have heard it's reliable and cheap, but is being rolled out s l o w l y in Mumbai. Only available in certain neighborhoods/buildings.

Mobile phone operators

The big two are:

Airtel GSM

-Reputation is for better nationwide coverage. I get dropped calls occasionally. Byzantine helpline system.

Vodafone formerly Hutch. GSM.

-Reputation is better coverage in major metros but less coverage / more roaming outside those areas. Has most high-end services/VAS/phones.

Others:

Reliance GSM/CDMA

Tata/TTSL CDMA

etc.

etc.

Cable TV operators

Cat Local cable TV provider. Basically came with the flat (in Bandra). Everyone in the building uses them.

Others?