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

 

[ACP Pradyuman]

My connection automatically changed from postpaid to prepaid. Upon enquiry BSNL office said currently prepaid only available.

Spoke with BSNL FIber Customer Care (1800 4444) they said me BSNL doesnt have a prepaid but the postpaid is bit different than other ISPs where you have to Pay Bill First and later use
if you plan to not use the for a month you have to visit BSNL office and give a written letter for them to put your connection on safe custody also
even to reactivate a letter should be given again
they are in 90s

 

[Balaji G]

Went to BSNL office today they gave me the Local vendor number
i called him
he qouted 2500 for single band router
and 3000 for dual band router
and also claimed BSNL is only postpaid and there is no prepaid system here sad

Means they themselves not updated with latest. I also visited BSNL office today for connection closure, I found most of them are outdated. They didn't even know about the market competition.
Decide based your own convenient.

 

[Bapun]

if you plan to not use the for a month you have to visit BSNL office and give a written letter for them to put your connection on safe custody also
even to reactivate a letter should be given again
they are in 90s

I had a hard time with BSNL. For every small change BSNL exchange visit was necessary.

Life has been less stressful after I ditched BSNL almost a decade ago. Never looked back to BSNL after that.

Btw, I had also rant about the outdated process followed by BSNL.

Seeking Help Post in thread 'What is the procedure to disconnect BSNL FTTH + Landline connection?'

19 Mar 2025

What is the procedure to disconnect BSNL FTTH + Landline connection ???

We are in 2025 and the BSNL official website still has no documentation on how to surrender their connection is very disappointing.

From my past experience, to disconnect your BSNL FTTH (Fiber broadband + Landline) service, you need to visit the nearest BSNL Exchange Office, submit a written application for disconnection, clear any outstanding dues, and obtain an acknowledgment or receipt (must do - for future reference in case they do not disconnect and keep billing the connection).

I don't know whether...

• Bapun

• 

 

[Balaji G]

I had a hard time with BSNL. For every small change BSNL exchange visit was necessary.

Life has been less stressful after I ditched BSNL almost a decade ago. Never looked back to BSNL after that.

Btw, I had also rant about the outdated process followed by BSNL.

Seeking Help Post in thread 'What is the procedure to disconnect BSNL FTTH + Landline connection?'

19 Mar 2025

What is the procedure to disconnect BSNL FTTH + Landline connection ???

We are in 2025 and the BSNL official website still has no documentation on how to surrender their connection is very disappointing.

From my past experience, to disconnect your BSNL FTTH (Fiber broadband + Landline) service, you need to visit the nearest BSNL Exchange Office, submit a written application for disconnection, clear any outstanding dues, and obtain an acknowledgment or receipt (must do - for future reference in case they do not disconnect and keep billing the connection).

I don't know whether...

• Bapun

• 

I also felt the same, so closed. Though the service is good but people and system is not good.

 

[FiberFanatic]

You can checkout Tata Play Fiber(if it is available), They provide prepaid connections.