Qtel’s Mobile Broadband… is crap.

25 Sep, 2009  Annoyances

I’m on the phone right now.  Oh it’s alright I’m on hold again. I’ve been calling Qtel so that I can get them to sort out my Mobile Broadband.

Here’s a riddle, when is mobile broadband, not mobile broadband? Think about that one for a while. I waited on the phone for 15 minutes (my times are not exaggerated) until someone answered the phone. When I did get an answer, I explained that I was paying 400 QR for the unlimited package and had only downloaded around 6gb (in almost a month) and my internet speed was down to 800bytes (yes! 800 super fast bytes!). I was supposed to be getting 3g speeds 3.2mps. I wasn’t.

I couldn’t even stay connected to messenger without it disconnecting every few moments. I couldn’t even upload an image to change something on the website because it was taking so long.

So the guy tells me that he checked the system and everything is fine. What IS this ‘system’? QTel always talks about the ‘system’ like it’s some super omnipotent being…. “I don’t care what the system says, I’m telling you that it’s taking me 10 minutes to load up google.”. Alright sir, can you please check www.speedtest.qa ? (Qtel obviously thought ‘hey let’s set up a speedtest.net server and brand it). I did, it was telling me that my internet speed was 1mbit. NO FREAKING WAY. So I explain that it doesn’t make sense to test a server in Qatar, how many websites are in Qatar? Unless I’m going to be surfing Qtel.com.qa every day, it’s useless! I also found it strange that when I’m on the phone with the guy it gives me good speeds.

The guy explains that he can’t help me and that he’ll connect me to a technician. While on hold (for 10 minutes), I decide to re-run the speedtest. Guess what? 560ms ping and .08mpbs. Oh that’s more honest now. The phone is finally answered. It took me almost 10 minutes of repeating to explain to him that he’s reading me the manual for windows and that I was on a mac. Yep if you thought these guys were thinking, you’re wrong, they just flip to Chapter 9 “How to answer a question without knowing what’s going on.” and read it.

So the guy then tells me that I should try flipping to 2G. I don’t know how 2G is going to be faster than 3G but maybe he wants to test if it’s a 3G thing. Nope. Doesn’t work. So on minute 59 he tells me that today’s friday and that the network is being hammered. Wait what…? I ask him if every Friday was going to be like this and his response? “Was it like this last Friday”. I actually almost laughed a bit because his sarky response (I like sarcasm). “Alright, well I dont want to call back tomorrow and he says “it’s Saturday” and I call on Monday and he says “It’s September”.” So I ask the guy to put a note on the system so I don’t have to go over all of this again and again.

Problem? Solved? Nope. Just wasted an hour. Not like I have a life or anything right?

How long did my phone call last? 1 hour and 34 seconds.

  • MT

    Hmm I canceled my BlackBerry plan with idea of switching to the now “officially released” iPhone when I get back to Qatar and take advantage of the new broadband plans. Now I’m not so excited about that. Here in the US AT&T (the network that has the iPhone exclusively) is having a lot of issues with the network because of higher than average internet use by iPhone users.

    I’m guessing that since Qtel offered the new data plans there has been a large uptake and the network is creaking under the pressure. Hopefully they address that by the time I get back.

  • http://eye-kare.blogspot.com Ahmad

    it’s just funny how the link to this post is blocked !!

    Qtel actually blocked it !!

    WTF

  • Kei

    are you serious? But I can view it? If the service improves, I’ll write about it. I don’t just write negative things about Qtel :S

  • http://eye-kare.blogspot.com Ahmad

    it is still blocked! i had to use VPN connection to view it :S

  • Kei

    very odd. :S

  • http://link driver43

    Does anyone have help with this one? ,

  • Saeed

    Yeah well this is Qtel for u….if u call service center they read answers from a script that they have and they actually have NO CLUE at all…i had five days of useless mobile internet, it got really frustrating but all u can do is have it reported and recieve a number then wait for 48 hrs for a call if that ever happens to get a useless answer that wont help…or simplly try vodafone :P , their internet seems better on my friends iphones

  • Angry Person.

    A fellow Mobile Broadband user, here.

    I tried to find out a way to get the Internet’s attention, because when I simply browse, it usually becomes super slow at times. Then I finally found it, if you actually have a download the internet speed gets faster…Really Qtel? So I need to always have a download on whenever I want to use an Internet which is 21 MB’s but I only get ALMOST 1 MB of download? REALLY? Thats like saying, “Here have a 10 floor building, but you’re only allowed to use 2 floors. ;D” They always have the same answer.. “The device is CAPABLE of doing 21 MB but you’re using a mobile network with more than 20 people! so its not able to do its fullest.” Well.. Fix it? I know when I am ranting that only 2-3 people will read it but it feels great to let if off my chest. Thanks.

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