Aircel : I just threw the SIM

• The subject of this blog post is Aircel : I just threw the SIM
• As we know Aircel has filed for bankruptcy.
• I took Aircel connection in year 2011.
• I had taken Airtel connection in 2004.
• Subsequent I took Reliance (R.Com) connection in 2006 and extinguished within six months.
• I took Aircel data card and used it for six months in 2011.
• That data card also had a SIM.
• Earlier to all of this I had taken one mobile in 2002 which I extinguished all the talktime in two or three shots and never used it again.
• After that I was using another mobile for maybe 3-4 months of reliance.
• In below table I have outlined the details.

  SIM CARDS OWNED BY ME
  Sl No.	Year	Time Period	Network	Status
  1	2002	2-3 months	Do not know	Did not use for much time
  2	2004	3-4 months	Reliance	Used the CDMA phone and then handed for family use
  3	2004	14 years plus	Airtel	This is the network I am using till date
  4	2004	3-4 months	Reliance	Used the CDMA phone and then handed for family use
  5	2011	6 and half years	Aircel	SIM destroyed on 2nd March after bankruptcy of Aircel
  6	2011-12	6 months	Aircel	Aircel Data Card plus SIM. Stopped using

   
  • As we can see above in my entire life I have used only six SIM cards.
  • And I had two SIM cards and I am throwing one away.
  • So I will be left with just one SIM card belonging to Airtel.
  • Don't get me wrong.
  • Aircel Network was fine while I was using it.
  • In addition to making calls and sending SMS, I use data to listen to Digital radio during morning walk.
  • And I found Aircel cheap.
  • Plus Aircel was offering "unlimited data".
  • Unlimited data was good because unknowingly you may use data after expiry of the pack and then your main balance will extinguished.
  • Same has happened to me several times.
  • But with unlimited pack by Aircel this never happened. 
  • Except on the last day when you needed to be careful. I mean you needed to be aware that it was the last day of the pack. So next day you take a new pack.
  • Aircel did not have 4G. It had just 2G and 3G.
  • In several locations I found there were "blind spots" where the 3G network did not work.
  • During those times the streaming of the radio channel used to stop.
  • But I used to adjust and use it nevertheless because of the cost benefit. (Aircel remained cheaper than Airtel)
  • But the 4G and Reliance Jio came along and 3G was not a viable option anymore.
  • I never had a 4G phone and I bought a new Samsung phone.
  • Then I took Airtel 4G SIM.
  • And there was no looking back.
  • In competition with Jio, Airtel began offering "unlimited pack" one which it was shying away from for long.
  • The difference was Airtel was 4G plus 3G unlike Aircel which was still 3G plus 2G.
  • If 3G was fifty times faster than 2G, 4G was twice as fast as 3G.
  • So I never took Aircel pack anymore.
  • I had taken a 300 talktime pack in Aircel in August. More than 200 was still available as on date.
  • But I never wanted the money back.
  • Today morning I read article on the net about how to port Aircel number to another network.
  • Then now I had a choice.
  • Whether to use two SIMs or be satisfied with one.
  • No use in using two Airtel SIMs.
  • I have to port to another network in case I wanted to.
  • But again, I can take a new SIM anytime I want after completing the formalities.
  • And I have an Airtel number which I am using now.
  • So why cling to old number associated with Aircel.
  • So I have decided to end my association once and for all with Aircel.
  • It does not matter if I lose the number. I do not want to port.
  • It does not matter if I lose the balance I do not want to port.
  • Aircel it has been tough but I cannot see you going to dust and my SIM along with it.
  • Slow decay over two three months is worst. 
  • Better to end it all in an instant.
  • And throwing away the SIM is the best way to end it all in an instant.