Online Recharge -That service which can be used while relaxing at our desk and just another privilege added for customers’ benefit. I have chosen three Telecom players namely Airtel, Tata Docomo and Uninor.
From the above three operators Tata Docomo is the first operator to implement a full fledged online Recharge facility. Though Airtel previously offered a similar kind of service it is restricted to very few recharge amounts. Uninor being the latest entrant in the market compared to other players silently launched online recharge facility few months back.
I’ll let you know the reason why I have had selected only these three operators in the last. Now let’s see what these three operators are up to in providing this service. Coming in alphabetical order, I repeat not on the quality of service. Airtel, one of the largest telecom service providers and hence every premium user expects an online recharge facility as a basic service.
Airtel offers a simple 3 step Recharge Process:
1. Enter Recharge Details 2. Reconfirmation 3 Payment
All you need is enter, reenter your mobile Number, Provide an email id for transaction details, select your recharge category, Recharge amount, Payment Mode and finally enter the captcha text and the immediate next page shows your transaction details. Verify if everything is correct and proceed to payment .The page now redirects to different payment gateways depending on payment Mode selected.
Payment options include visa/master – credit/debit cards and Internet Banking.
The recharge page shows the details of all available recharge amounts immediately upon selection of Recharge Category which is a very convenient feature. Though the recharge portal meets most of our requirements it is still bad to notice that Airtel is not providing top up facility in multiples of 10 and the lowest possible top up available is Rs 50.
I know a premium user making an online recharge with amounts less than 50 doesn’t sound good but there are people who are interested to Top up in multiples of 10.What ever it is Airtel is providing most of the stable Recharge amounts via Online Recharge provided you are on a specific Tariff plan as there are no Recharge amounts to change Tariff plans particularly those which change depending on day to day market scenario, may be they want to provide a generalized Recharge platform without the need of updating their site on regular basis.
Tata Docomo Online Recharge Portal Review
Tata Docomo the Telecom market leader in innovation is also providing Online Recharge facility to both GSM and CDMA customers.
All you need to do is just enter your number and you get a selection page to choose your recharge type, Proceeding to the next page you get a number of recharge amounts available, really a large number of recharge amounts available be it Top up or Special Recharge. Enter your email id, select your amount and the payment mode and that’s it you get recharged with one of the safest methods.
One advantage with TATA Docomo is that you can use your present mobile balance as a payment option for any Special Recharges. Really an innovative idea and don’t be afraid what if anyone wants to make some mess here with your number? Tata Docomo has a Mobile SMS verification procedure at this point of recharge which is valid for 30minutes.Various payment options including the visa/master/credit/debit/Internet Banking/Cash cards/Pay through IMPS take it ahead of Airtel.
But what really makes me worried and think of is “Are these Recharge Amounts updated to the latest? as there is quite a large list.” I remember some TT readers complaining about these Recharge amounts are not updated and they ended up with some wrong plans, so if you are sure proceed else please check once before you make a recharge.
Uninor the recent Telecom Player who experienced the fastest subscriber growth rates has also silently launched its online recharge portal about 2 months back. The design of the recharge portal is pretty impressive with minimal looks.
Uninor follows a 4 step simple process where user needs to enter his/her Uninor number ,Select Recharge /Value pack , enter details like email and alternate contact Number, verify details and finally payment and that’s it you get recharged instantly.
With all the Recharge Packs available from Top ups to Special Tariff / Value packs on its Online Recharge portal which are updated to the latest as available along with various payment options Uninor definitely is a winner compared to the other two operators in its Online Recharge Facility.
Before you proceed with any online recharge please make sure you are following certain steps which can be read from my previous article “Things to be taken care of while trying an online Recharge”
*Online Recharge facility is a free service from Respective Mobile Operators.
My suggestion to all operators is “why don’t you make an Interactive voice based recharge system via Mobile using debit/credit payment options where the card Details can be entered at the time of payment as these details can be entered via keypad so that even people who don’t own a sPC/Internet can use the facility with added security ?”
Vodafone IN is already providing Recharge payment options via IVRS with credit Cards which is an awesome feature in fact. Now the reason why I took Airtel- The Leading Operator with highest subscriber base, Tata Docomo –The Telecom Market leader in Innovation and Uninor- The new entrant into Indian Telecom affected by supreme court verdict.
Uninor is a clear winner here according to me. It’s not important when you entered into the play when life changes in seconds according to Tata Docomo, after all the service and performance matters,
Dear readers have you anytime faced any problems with this Online Recharge Portals? How far are you satisfied? let me know and others via comments.
Jagdish October 27, 2012 at 8:51 am
I fully agree with Raj kumar Bangalore.
I suspect TATA DOCOMO is either incurring losses and tries to recoup such losses by cheating customers by deducting money from their prepaid balances, or it makes profit by robbing customers by either deducting unfair amounts from their prepaid balances, or even resorting to unfair means and closing customer accounts after recharge amount is credited to their banks.
I am also suffering similar fate as my TATA PHOTON PLUS has been deactivated unfairly after it was recharged with Rs 2501/- along with previous balance forfeited.
Raj kumar September 28, 2012 at 9:28 pm
WORLD WORST SERVICE TATA DOCOMO WAY ALL-WAYS CREATING NONSENSE
WHEN AM USING INTERNET IN MY MOBILE AM GETTING TO-MANY ADDS (ADVERTISEMENT) SAYING THAT (NOTE – CHARGES APPLICABLE CLICKING ON THIS. AND I NOT HAVE A SPEC TO DRAG UP OR DOWN HOW CAN I USE LIKE THIS SERVICES.
AND I DON’T KNOW RELAY WHAT I HAVE ACTIVATED INTERNET OR ADDS (ADVERTISEMENT) BY MISTAKE I PRESSED THE ADD AND IT’S ACTIVATED THE SAME WAY FORM MY ACCOUNT DEBITED 150/- rs by this MOUNT…………………
I Personality Sagest that please Don’t go for TATA DOCOMO …………….
k moorthy September 28, 2012 at 2:23 pm
airtel is worst online recharge provider as it does not give booster on its online recharge,even bsnl is best
ankit September 21, 2012 at 10:36 am
i think u people havnt tried airtel money yet……jst try it once, i bet u will get out of this online recharge option…u can recharge any mobile no of any state, of any operator with any value u knw nd get the same oprator/region specific plan form your mobile and no need of gprs…try it once
jeevi09 September 21, 2012 at 7:03 am
Tatadocomo is good. Idea is the worst. Voda no problem
aniket September 20, 2012 at 9:48 pm
Vodafone is the best. I have been using it for last 2 years. never faced any prob.
Rahul September 19, 2012 at 3:03 pm
@Steve
Idiot first check the number before submitting the request. Do u want Mr. Ratan Tata to come and check the numbers inserted by you and then u will be submit the request. LOL!!!
Pradeep Maran September 19, 2012 at 4:18 am
I use Docomo frequently, earlier they offered full talktime from Rs.30 onwards. But the scenario changed after April,1st, they too implemented service tax. The major issue is, nowadays they are not updating the website frequently, it misleads the customer. I dont know why they need e-mail id, never got any e-mails from them.
Now, Aircel is offering full talktime for some denominations….
Steve September 18, 2012 at 11:39 pm
this stupid tata docomo doest have payment reversal option….accidently i rechaged a wrong no on tata website…sent several mails to them did online chat but nothing helped…….
Arka September 18, 2012 at 10:39 pm
Personally,I prefer Paytm for any amount recharge for any operator.it’s just too good.once,my aircel mobile recharge failed.they transfer my amount to Paytm Cash for future use.their support team is also too good.they response within 24hrs if u mail them for any queries or inconveniences.
However,when it’s time for Uninor recharge,I always preffered their respective website.it is most reliable and user friendly.the recharge take time about 30sec approx.Their exclusive online recharge offers is superb and no doubt it is best.they also offer various benefits on online recharge.I get 15days free unlimited music service for my online recharge.
Abhijith September 18, 2012 at 9:31 pm
Am using Sbi freedom also mobikwik
Prathik September 18, 2012 at 8:51 pm
@ P Shant
LOL…
when some operators are able to provide top ups from 10 , i find it too silly to read your comment. Are these gateways free for other operators who are giving service?
OTP or 3D secure are securities given my respective banks or payment gateways not Cellular operator. They can only assure you of an encrypted connection between you and payment gateway and lol again it is clearly mentioned in the article what types of cards are supported by these operators. If you still need more information go and check the site, it will be very difficult to mention all the bank names and card types that are accepted by these portals.
kumar September 18, 2012 at 8:47 pm
In the TATA docomo site they are showing special recharges of different plans. But if we try to recharge that “special” it’s not available in online recharge. But it’s available with the mobile recharge agents via e-recharge.
The reason unknown……..!
P Shant September 18, 2012 at 8:29 pm
Recharge less than 50 would not be possible for any operator as the companies have to give a cut to the gateway from which the transactions are being made. Usually every one relies on Bill Desk/Bill junction.
To my knowledge there is a flat amount charged initially by these payment gateways after which they charge a % of amount to the merchant. In this case, the merchant are the mobile companies
Suggest, we should not be so unreleastic with the operators
The article does not says about the operator compliance with the security features implemented in online transactions like OTP or 3D secure. Or does every body supports all types of cards – Master, Visa, Diners, Amex cashnet, Rupay etc..
Yogesh Ahirrao September 18, 2012 at 6:48 pm
Now a days Airtel has started Any value recharge through Paytm, justrechargeit.com etc using your desktop internet. But those who want to recharge from mobile internet, can use ngpay as best ever application. Almost all leading oprator recharge is possible, also you can recharge DTH. Another recharge option for me is my axis mobile, here also you can recharge for any value for almost all operator except Airtel.
sujit September 18, 2012 at 6:13 pm
And they also charge Rs 2 extra
Try mobikwik or paytm..
sujit September 18, 2012 at 6:09 pm
@Manash
I pay through citibank gateway using my sbi visa debit card.. as the refunds are faster.
CSK September 18, 2012 at 4:49 pm
Which online recharge site often gives discount or cash back (not shopping coupons) ?
Chethan S. September 18, 2012 at 4:47 pm
It must be noted that BSNL Portal has improved a lot. Now all circle specific special tariff vouchers and migration vouchers can be recharged online. One good example is STV47 (offers 20p calling for Local/STD BSNL numbers) which was not available is now present. Also advanced features like recharge via IMPS is provided.
vikas September 18, 2012 at 3:15 pm
airtel has changed a lot and new options are available for recharging
siva September 18, 2012 at 2:44 pm
yesterday i recharged my number through tata docomo online portal… amount has been debited from bank balance…but still top up value not credited in mobile a/c .. i made complaint regarding this….now i am waiting for TD response
Keshav Jha September 18, 2012 at 2:05 pm
I prefer SBI mobile banking for easy recharges and for other recharges official sites of telcos.
Manash September 18, 2012 at 1:51 pm
To pay By any PSU bank Visa card (not private bank) ,use only Billdesk gateway.No other gateway will not possible@Amit Deb Biswas
KishaN September 18, 2012 at 1:41 pm
Any other websites which provide online recharge are safe & secure ?
@ vishal
S. Roy September 18, 2012 at 1:38 pm
Docomo’s online recharge portal has been and still is the best amongst the others from day one.
Suvajit September 18, 2012 at 1:36 pm
@CSK
best is paytm
vishal September 18, 2012 at 12:48 pm
i use freecharge.com from last 2 to 3 years i said with my recharge experience this is best recharge website
ravi shekhar September 18, 2012 at 12:48 pm
Using tata docomo’s online recharge,one can use 4Gb 3G data per mnth for just rs.124. And similarly u can recharge ny stv using ur main a/c bal. One denomination can be recharged once a week using main bal.
jai September 18, 2012 at 12:45 pm
i use paytm its processing best.
mahaveer September 18, 2012 at 12:29 pm
Paytm is very userfriendly n accept all modes of payment..
Prithvi September 18, 2012 at 12:26 pm
I use paytm for Vodafone & Tata Photon Plus recharges. Works reliably unlike ichoose.in – Tata Photon Plus’ default recharge website which does NOT work in Pune at least. Tata Photon execs themselves confirmed a couple of months ago about lapses in ichoose.in and advised not to use this site for recharge.
Saurabh September 18, 2012 at 12:19 pm
I avoid using third party websites for Mobile/DTH recharges and use my bank’s official website for recharges. I find Idea Cellular as the best as they allow you to recharges any amount between Rs.10-5000. Their denominations for Top-Up/FTT/SMS/Internet packs are different so there are no chances of getting wrong benefit. You can recharge with FTT and can activate all packs via USSD. It took only 30 secs to a max. 2 minutes and in morning before 9AM, the moment I submit, the message arrives on phone. Haven’t faced any issue since 2007.
The other ones I like are Aircel and Tata Docomo. Aircel offering FTT for Haryana for as low as 30. The FTT recharges available on their website are 30/50/68/108 and so on. They offer 5% extra on 258/358. I recharged Rs.258 once and got Rs.270 instantly. Beside this SMS/2G/3G packs are also available.
Tata Docomo is offering FTT for Rs.68 but only via e-recharge not online. Online, it starts from Rs.150 which is not good. There was a Time when TD was offering FTT on 20/30/50/75/90/100 and 10% extra on 110/125/135/150 and so on but it’s gone now. But their all SMS/Internet/STV can be activated online.
BSNL- I’ve SIM but recharge only in 180 days with Rs.42 from BSNL CSC to continue number.
Airtel and Vodafone are average for me. I want Airtel to allow us to put any amount for top-up rather than just 50/100. Voda do allows recharges with any amount but info on their website regarding packs is not regularly updated.
That’s all.
Pratik September 18, 2012 at 11:57 am
I use my mobile banking app. & PayTM. I preferred Mobile banking app because if transaction fail money would be refunded instantly.
mydream September 18, 2012 at 11:48 am
paytm is the best
Nilay September 18, 2012 at 11:27 am
you have to register your visa card at UBI website, then only you can use@ Amit Deb Biswas
Nilay September 18, 2012 at 11:25 am
I use easymobilerecharge.com, easy to operate and if transactions fails and money deducted then instantly it is transfered to their easy wallet section where the money remains deposited and can be used any time during future recharge.
arun September 18, 2012 at 11:12 am
vodafone offers topup Rs.150 or above.it gives Rs.100 ewallet code for purchase in ebay.
Amit Deb Biswas September 18, 2012 at 11:08 am
but i can’t recharge with my united bank (visa) debit card!!!
anupam September 18, 2012 at 11:02 am
teleom website is crap they dont offer any special coupen or disount look for sites and offer from timee to time like of rehargefreak.com with code 40per offer 40% disount on every reharge plus coupens.
avinaash September 18, 2012 at 9:56 am
docomo onlne recharge is awesome…,
CSK September 18, 2012 at 9:52 am
am using Paytm
Sumit September 18, 2012 at 9:45 am
I trying Vodafone online recharge.recharge fail.
takes 8 working days to payment reversal.
too much irritating service.
apurv September 18, 2012 at 9:23 am
i used justrechargeit.com it,s total solution of online recharge for any operator
haric September 18, 2012 at 9:20 am
To me Uninor is good. They are also offering special benefits for Online recharges..like xtra talktimes, free benefits of packs
Himangshu September 18, 2012 at 9:13 am
Fastrecharge is also the other site which is very comfortable to work wid it.
bt if ur recharge fails, ur amount will be credit in ur fastrecharge wallet
Asit Paul September 18, 2012 at 8:36 am
I think, IDEA recharge portal is easy and fun. You can recharge any amount. But, if Recharge fails, it takes upto 8 days for Payment Reversal. Thats too irritating.
Manish September 18, 2012 at 8:25 am
Right now, airtel has started offering any ‘value’ recharge online.. I am not sure abt airtel site but on rechargeitnow.com, mobikwik.com etc, it is possible..
V.P.Guru September 18, 2012 at 8:03 am
I feel tata docomo online recharging is easier than airtel site. In docomo we can recharge any vouchers, whereas it is not possible in airtel.