Discrete Vector

This little incident happened few days back and I though I would share it. Airtel customer care has always impressed me with their timely response and ability to resolve technical issues.

Couple of days back I had put in a request to activate edge on my iPhone. The data plan was supposed to be activated in 24 hours. Not being able to connect even after 2 days I decides to give customer care a call.

Customer Rep: Good Mor… er… Afternoon. Airtel customer care. How many I help you?

Me: I had put in a request to activate Mobile Office on my phone but it has been 48 hours and its still not active.

CR: I’m sorry to hear that Sir. Let me check.

(On hold for 20 seconds)

CR: You are using an iPhone right?

Me: That’s right. (I wonder how they get to know that)

CR: 2g or 3g?

Me: 2g.

CR: Is it on the latest firmware?

Me: Yes. (Glad to know that she knew about firmwares….)

CR: Right. What you need to do is  … you need to switch off the phone… pull out the battery…

Me: Uh, pull out the battery?!!! But…

CR: Right .. pull out the battery and put it back… then…

Me: <Click>

Well, so much for technical expertise.

PS: I was informed by a good friend of mine after reading this post that removing and then replacing the battery was indeed a good solution for many problems. That’s when I realized that if you don’t own an iPhone or haven’t read about it then you wont get what this fuss was all about. Ok here it is: You cannot remove the battery from an iPhone. It is not a user replaceable component like all other phones. (and hence you cannot ‘pull out the battery’) That’s Apple for you. Go figure.

Thanks Jef, for the heads up.

Alex