Mobile Royale - An Asian Perspective on Mobile Industry

I was glad yesterday to find out that Mobitel has revised its Any8 charging plan so that you can connect with your Mobitel friends on the Any8 plan at M Best Friend rates (outgoing Rs.1 per min, SMS Rs.0.50 per message). I was EVEN GLAD this morning to find out that they have more and more revised it, now charging for the days that you don't use it either (that is when you are out of credit and on Zero Balance), leaving me with a account balance of Rs.-7.66 (note the minus mark). My experiences with Mobitel customer care hasn't been pleasant ones at all, one of the complaints that I lodged on 3rd Jan 2008 hasn't still been solved (other networks solve in three days). I haven't used Dialog My10 since sometime, but in the past they didn't charge if you were on zero balance and I'm sure that they still don't do. My best compliments to Mobitel executives, you are really great guys, you guys have found a REALLY GREAT, VERY PRACTICAL way that will keep all your subscribers away from Any8. Great idea, results are guaranteed (that at least a minor portion of subscribers will quit using the service). Now I don't have much friends to communicate with either (A Life of Misery. My true story), I'm poor, I've gotta think about quitting using Any8. Good luck Mobitel, hope you guys will understand the realities and find a better group of (stupidless) executives someday.

That is the truth. I'm thinking why I don't write an in depth article on why Mobitel fails - but the reason why they fail is simple - they always want to provide their subscriber with the smallest possible and earn the biggest possibled, ie- taking every bit out of their subscriber. They just still haven't realised the basic rules of business. The same simple reason why a network like Tigo, with minimalist network infrastructure (never up to Mobitel in that case) came to the 2nd spot bypassing Mobitel and directly challenging Dialog.

But Mobitel has a good network infrastructure, that I respect.

I wonder whether some mobile networks OR EVEN THE SLT ITSELF uses LankaCom infrastructure. Something that must be found out about. However, btw, Dialog 3G coverage is being expanded at a rapid rate, but unfortunately at some cities, they have enabled it only to the sub tower in the city centre thus making 3G usable only at the city area and not 3/4kms away. I've been an unlucky victim of this situation as the Dialog 3G coverage ends at around 1/2km prior reaching my house. But I hope they'll further expand it. It seems Mobitel is failing to complete it's 3G coverage target of 85% by December end and if they still tell that they've covered 85%, it must be the "Vanniya" as even some major cities in Western province still doesn't have 3G coverage. But it must be appreciated that they have the lowest charges and covered most of major cities with 3G faster than Dialog did. Keep it up Mobitel!
Weekly summary
*Dialog introduced KIT Double and 3G coverage was expanded.
*Mobitel reduced video call rates from 2LKR to 50 cents and introduced SMART IDD 250 rechargeable card.
*Hutch reduced Hutch to Hutch voice rates to 2LKR
*Tigo didn't make much sound and so is about Airtel's launch.