AIRTEL DIGITAL TV
Problem/Issue on Airtel DVR - Restrictive policies - Airtel deprives DVR customers

Hi,

I recently bought Airtel Digital TV Recorder (DVR). My customer ID is 3004140695. I attracted towards the advertised features of the DVR. I also enjoyed the features of the same for the first month of buying your service. However, since start of the second month I am disappointed by Airtel's service.

In the first month of buying the DVR, I was given Ultra pack for free. Everything worked fine. In the next month I opted for Economy pack and the problem started since then. Right now, I am having Supervalue pack. The programs which I recorded on DVR from the channels which were available in Ultra pack, and got automatically unsubscribed when I chose the Economy pack, I am unable to play those program from the DVR. For example, a program which I recoreded on DVR from PIX or HBO (which were part of Ultra pack), I am not able to play those program from the DVR once I opted for the Economy pack.

When I try to play any of those programs, I get a message "This channel/program is not subscribed by you. To view this program you need to add the relevant topup to your account..." Error Code: 4

I dont understand, why should I subscribe any channel to view a program which is already available in the hard disk of the DVR.

After several unsolved complaints (I can give all the complaint numbers along with dates), I contacted Nodal officer on email. I received a call from Mr. Roop Singh (01146867900) on 7-Aug-10. He told me that he could not solve the problem.

I have found out from other people and also from the internet that Airtel applies the restriction on their DVR customers. Airtel does not allow its customers to play a program from their own DVR, once a channel is unsubscribed. I dont understand that once I buy the DVR along with the Recording Topup, why should I be deprieved of playing ALL the recorded programs? Please note that Airtel's competitor Big TV does not restrict its customers from playing recorded contents the way Airtel is restricting.

Can I request to protect rights of the consumer in this regard?

Regards,

Setu Shah