Established in 1995, Hathway Cable and Datacom started off purely as a cable TV company and then diversified into the <acronym title="Internet Service Provider">ISP</acronym> business, providing Internet connections over its existing cable network. The company is part of the Rajan Raheja group, whose subsidiaries also include (amongst others) <a href="http://www.outlookindia.com/aboutus.asp">The Outlook Group</a>, <a href="http://www.exideindustries.com/">Exide Industries</a>, <a href="http://www.globusindia.com/">Globus Stores</a>, <a href="http://www.asianetglobal.com/">Asianet</a> and <a href="http://www.sonata-software.com/">Sonata Software</a>.
<p><a href="http://www.startv.com/">The <acronym title="Satellite Television Asian Region">STAR</acronym> Group</a> holds a 26% stake in Hathway.</p>

One of the better ISPs going around

Submitted by Karthik on 17 June, 2006 - 01:26

Hathway are definitely one of the better ISPs going around. They were one of the first ISPs to offer 256 Kbps unlimited plans (I'm told that this plan is not available everywhere (unverified)) and in my experience are generally a reliable crowd.

I subscribe to their 256 Kbps unlimited plan, which is about the norm as I write this. However, with its upload bandwidth capped at 64 Kbps, it's essentially a 1-way broadband which is rather pathetic, but there are no real alternatives available in the unlimited plan segment at the present moment.

Connections are via a cable modem (a Motorola SB5100i in my case) which usually come with an Ethernet and USB port; the installation was quick and easy. Tech support is about par, but their billing department leaves a lot to be desired. It is also a tad odd that this ISP does not accept online payments :S Currently, Hathway in Madras have this tedious mode of collection where the customer has to either drop off a cheque in a courier drop-off point, or wait for them to send curious people by your house to pick up the cheque.