Net Gains: August 13, 1997 - one of Lyndon Cerejo's published articles

Two years ago, 15^th August marked a new kind of freedom - VSNL threw open the windows to the world by launching public Internet access. Two years is a pretty long period by technology standards, but ask yourself how different is the scene today from what it was when Internet access was started ?

Do you get connected faster than before ?
When you do, do you get logged on, or do you go through a couple of server errors before you finally reach surfer's paradise ?
Do you really reach surfer's paradise ? Or do you get disconnected every few minutes (despite a good modem, good line, and settings) ?
Have the speeds of download improved in any way ?
Have access costs come down to a reasonable rate (access cost = phone costs + Internet access costs + phone costs for all those frequent disconnects)
Are you happy with VSNL ? I mean, do you think you're getting your paisa vasool ?

(You can send in your replies to the above questions at [email protected] if you'd like to)

There are people who believe that VSNL's monopoly is why the Internet scenario in India is in its present state. Then there are others who believe that private ISPs will not be able to compete with VSNL. There's also a perception that VSNL shivers at the very mention of the word "competition". The truth ? We'll just have to wait till those promises made eons ago about allowing private ISPs are fulfilled.

One thing is clear though - we'll all have hajaar expectations from these potential ISPs, and they're going to have a tough time living up to those expectations. Besides, VSNL already has a two year head start in terms of experience and infrastructure, and operations. The worst part though, is that these private ISPs will still ultimately have to connect to the Net through VSNL - which means VSNL has them by the neck (or any other choice part of the human anatomy). One thing is sure though - as in the Indian market, once competition enters, complacency will have to take a walk. Service, and quality will rule.

To VSNL's credit, one would never say that it is a government organisation going by their helpdesk. The VSNL helpdesks have always been prompt in replies, and mostly helpful. VSNL biggies have realised that their pricing needs to be looked at, and said so three months ago on a chat show on FM radio. And we'll soon be getting TCP/IP accounts for Rs. 3000 less (for a start) !

Enough of serious talk, onto a lighter topic now. Malhar 1997 is back with a new improved website this year at : http://malhar.home.ml.org. Dates, schedules, events, history and information about the people behind Malhar. While huge image files are irritating, there's one innovative animated image that shows mug shots of the people behind Malhar.

STOP PRESS For the first time, an Indian PM's I-Day speech will be broadcast on the Internet, on Aug 15th. The webcast is presented by Progressive Media Television at http://www.pmtv-india.com/html/live.html. To experience it, you need to have a TCP/IP account and RealPlayer software (realaudio.com) preferably on a 28.8 Kbps modem.

Net.Birthdays

13^th : Alfred Hitchcock (http://www.yahoo.com/Regional/Countries/ United_Kingdom/Entertainment/Movies_and_Films/Film_Making/Directors/Hitchcock__Alfred/)

16^th : Madonna (http://www.yahoo.com/Entertainment/Music/Artists/By_Genre/Rock/Madonna/)

18^th : Robert Redford (http://www.yahoo.com/Entertainment/Actors_and_Actresses/Redford__Robert/)

19^th : Bill Clinton (http://www.yahoo.com/Government/Executive_Branch/Clinton_Administration/)

	Net Gains (Aug 13, 97)
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