Seeking Help My Experience Trying to Get a Prepaid Internet Connection for a Government School (Airtel Xstream Fiber)

[ACP Pradyuman]

In October 2024, my mom, who is a headmistress at a government school, needed a reliable internet connection for school work, as mobile internet in the area was almost non-functional. They specifically wanted a prepaid broadband connection. I stepped in to help.

1. JioFiber:
   I noticed JioFiber cables on nearby poles but no fatbox. When I contacted them, the installation guy said the infrastructure was new and would take another month. He pushed me to take Jio AirFiber instead, but I declined since it wasn't what we needed.
2. Local ISPs:
   I reached out to a few local providers, but their responses were vague and none offered prepaid plans.
3. Airtel:
   Airtel's sales rep responded promptly via WhatsApp. I repeatedly told him we wanted a prepaid connection. He confirmed it was possible and came to the school the next day for verification. He offered a ₹499 plan for 12 months, claiming it was prepaid. I paid the full amount. Soon after installation, I received a message: “Welcome to Airtel Postpaid.”
   Shocked and angry, I contacted the sales guy—he claimed he'd talk to his manager, then blocked me.

I went to the Airtel office the next day. The manager told me Airtel doesn't offer prepaid broadband in urban area, only in rural regions. Also said they cannot convert a postpaid connection to prepaid .I asked to cancel the connection and get a refund. She said I could disconnect anytime and would receive a refund for the unused months. Since JioFiber was expected soon, we decided to wait and use Airtel temporarily.


March 2025:
I saw JioFiber posters near the school and noticed the fatbox had been installed. I applied for cancellation of Airtel. The router was picked up by Delhivery, and I was told the refund would take 45 days from disconnection.


Then I contacted JioFiber. I again asked specifically for a prepaid plan. The rep said I’d need to pay ₹1,000 for installation plus ₹399 × 3 months. This felt off, because when we installed JioFiber at home, we only paid ₹1,000 for the router and ₹399 + GST for a true prepaid plan.


Since it was the start of summer vacation, we delayed installation until late May.


May 2025:
School reopened earlier than expected. I contacted Jio customer care and was shocked to hear they now only offer postpaid connections for new customers. So apparently, the Jio rep I spoke to earlier was also misselling me.


Now, after months of effort, I feel like my time and energy were completely wasted.



Question:
Is it true that Airtel only offers prepaid broadband in rural areas? I’ve seen people getting prepaid connection in this forum

 

[Bapun]

During the early days of fiber broadband services, both Jio Fiber and Airtel Fiber used to offer prepaid connections (recharge system). Now they only sell new connections as postpaid (billing system).

Due to users dependency on internet services lately, most of the national level broadband operators have stopped offering prepaid connections now.

The only way to get a true prepaid connection (as you said) is by buying an old connection from someone else and transferring it to your name/number.

In my city, Jio sales and service person are charging 5-6k one time charges for existing JioFiber prepaid connections buy/sell. I don't exactly know how they are doing it. But this is a beneficial business for them since the company is no longer providing new prepaid JioFiber connections.

 

[Balaji G]

Can you not check with BSNL?? BSNL offers 10% discount for government employees.

 

[Shakti M Raol]

I think as per my knowledge for prepaid connection go with local ISP most probably they are installing prepaid connection'S as I have GTPL fiber broadband which only giving prepaid connection'S