Networked Nehru Place limps along

MOHIT CHHABRA



NEW DELHI

Nehruplaceithub.com, an ambitious project launched by Softalk Lakhotia Infocom Ltd, which envisaged networking the reseller community at Nehru Place, is facing severe teething problems. Several customers from a base of about 120, are dissatisfied with the services that are being offered. 

The users complain that the Internet connectivity that comes as a part of the monthly subscription is poor and most of the time down. Ramesh Jain, CEO, Marks Marketing, says the service is bad. His views are echoed by Satish Sharma, Director, Computer Force, who adds that they have their own Internet connection. 

Manoj Gupta, CEO, Fortune Marketing minced no words in being critical of the service and dismissed it as being useless. Though the virtual shop provides resellers with visibility on the Web, it is not getting them incremental business. Thus the initial excitement about the venture has fizzled out. 

"The project is at its startup stage and is bound to face difficulties," says Satyapriya Lakhotia, Director, Softalk Lakhotia Infocom Ltd, "We endeavor to provide our customers the best connectivity through Mantraonline and also a dynamic presence on the Web."

He further adds that connectivity has become an issue because of faults in Mantraonline infrastructure. This claim was substantiated by Sandeep Kaura, Executive (Sales), Mantraonline, "We are revamping our bandwidth infrastructure," he says, "and therefore there have been connectivity problems, but this has now been resolved." 

Lakhotia points out that the scheme of free membership has been discontinued and annual membership would now cost Rs 3500, with a monthly subscription of Rs 500. "Our beta tests are over and everything is in place. Any glitches will soon be a thing of the past," he adds.