Thailand Expats

brilliantpebble · #1 09-10-2006, 08:12

I'm moving from Patong to Kathu there is no TT&T lines available there so I'll be using TOT for my adsl. Anyone know what TOT package is the best one now?

Right now I'm happy with my TT&T Max Net for life package; fast enough and allows me to use Vonage and P2P like emule.

Thanks

landofsmiles · #2 12-10-2006, 15:45

Don't bother with the 1000baht a month one with TOT. It's sh#te...down far more than up. You'll get a connection within a few days of applying but it's not worth having unless you go for the more expensive one which I think is 5000baht a month.

AT+T or CAT are supposedly infinitely better but there's a waiting list usually to get a line.

Nicke · #3 12-10-2006, 16:54

Now they just launced Air Card access, which uses 3G. Up to 3Mbit connections. Only covers Patong and Kamala at the moment but will cover most areas when finished.

May be interesting for all of you who cant get ADSL. Unlimited download cost just 1290 baht/month.

LivinLOS · #4 12-10-2006, 17:00

AT&T.. Erm.. They run lines from the states now ??

Doint think you can get CAT out in Kathu.. Phuket town and Patong I know you can.. Karon Kata I havent heard..

LivinLOS · #5 12-10-2006, 17:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicke

Now they just launced Air Card access, which uses 3G. Up to 3Mbit connections. Only covers Patong and Kamala at the moment but will cover most areas when finished.

May be interesting for all of you who cant get ADSL. Unlimited download cost just 1290 baht/month.

Who ?? what ?? where ??

3Mbit for 1290.. I am game..

Nicke · #6 12-10-2006, 17:05

Gollum showed me brochures last week, I think it was from TOT or CAT. There is also an article by Khun Woody in latest Phuket Gazette about it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LivinLOS

Who ?? what ?? where ??

3Mbit for 1290.. I am game..

LivinLOS · #7 12-10-2006, 17:49

Very interesting indeed..

May see what I can do about testing this.. Going to be harder to config my network.. Will need to have one computer being the first l;ink in and then share the connection downstream to a router for the hardwired comps and the wireless acess point.

Also Woddy says his TOT account is giving 80kbps well mine is giving >100 KBps lately so about the full 900 - 1000kbps.. The speed itself is great but I have mentioned my line quality struggles before.

magnusvv · #8 12-10-2006, 21:20

When ordering ADSL in Thailand from a provider like TOT can you order the Phone line and DSL service at the same time in one package or are they 2 separate things to them with separate installation fees? It was not clear on their website.

LivinLOS · #9 12-10-2006, 21:57

Well you can order both in a single package from TOT or TT&T (HiNet was the TT&T offering.. Think its changed to another provider / name now).. TOT packages are all somethingcyber silvercyber etc goldcyber being the 1000 baht per month for 1024/512..

You can get a line by TOT and ISP by someone else (I had this at the old place) but when I asked about changing my ISP TOT told me sure, but you pay 1000 baht for the line and the goldcyber ISP is 'free' so that means (if what he is saying is true) I still have to pay 1000 baht per month for the line and ISP even if I only want the line. Then I pay another ISP on top.. Seems a nuts way to work it.

Nicke · #10 13-10-2006, 03:27

I am not sure about TT&T anymore, they have their own "names" now but it look like it is still Jasmine etc but with their own names for different services.

But before you could use TT&T, and you choosed the provider you wanted to use, e.g. Loxinfo, Jasmine Internet, TT&T's own package and so on.

I once bought 20 hours loxinfo when Jasmine was down and it worked fine aswell. (Just changed login/pw)

K2 · #11 13-10-2006, 08:31

Found that in last 3 months CS Loxinfo with TT&T the service has got worse and worse - goes down for more than 2 hours more than 3 times a week which for me is too much.

Also looking at back up service as previous to this CSLoxinfo have been relaible in ADSL and Dial Up.

My neighbour is moving soon so I'm waiting to take over his TOT line which is 'clean' - so hope will solve the down time problems.

stevem · #12 13-10-2006, 09:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by K2

My neighbour is moving soon so I'm waiting to take over his TOT line which is 'clean' - so hope will solve the down time problems.

Now theres a thought, I could have put out a contract out on my neighbour then taken his line.

ATMwalking · #13 17-11-2006, 21:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by LivinLOS

AT&T.. Erm.. They run lines from the states now ??

Doint think you can get CAT out in Kathu.. Phuket town and Patong I know you can.. Karon Kata I havent heard..

Kathu is a maybe if you are close to Central or down to north of the Chalong Circle. Give the CAT office your address. If they think you are in the coverage area, they will send people out to check your actual location. If yes, they will get a crew out in a couple weeks to run the new line. Currently it is free install Friendly and helpful staff.

In general going cheap on internet = big headache. Don't do it. Pay the money.

For TT&T, get the Net Cafe 1 Mbps package from JI-Net for 2600 Baht. Not cheap but generally very stable with about 770-820 kbps (~94-105KBps) throughput. Great for downloads or Video Skyp / Vonage. It is less stable when they are about to upgrade. That is happening right now. There isn't traffic shaping or blocked ports. Support is awesome. Once when someone cut the fiber to Phuket (carefull with that backhoe), they followed-up by calling from Bangkok just to confirm it was working again for me, even though they could already see traffic on my port. Suck on that TOT!

2.4 Mbps is the theoretical maximum for EVDO (the CAT "DO" wireless solution). In reality if you are averaging 500Kbps then you are doing well. It is good for web surfing. But the latency for forming connections is higher than ADSL. That means it isn't well suited to VoIP and your torrents will ramp up slower than normal. If you are very mobile or if it is your only option, then it is a godsend. Can't beat the current promotion. After you pay 15,900 for the card it is free until the end of April 2007. Macbook Pro users note: It isn't compatible with your ExpressCard slot. Older macs, it will work but update your OS as there is now native support with 10.4.8.

My friend has it and he is happy with it. Keep in mind that the card is not refundable and coverage can be a little spotty in some areas.

LivinLOS: On EVDO, there are now routers where you can plug in the card and then feed your WAN or WLAN. However I think this is an Internet order. D-Link makes one in partnership with Kyocera. It is the "Kyocera KR1 Mobile Router". You could then use a dual WAN router to combine your DO and TOT connections. Mine is on order.

If anyone is interested in combining multiple high-speed connections, I could post on this in a week or so.

sundancekid · #14 17-11-2006, 22:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicke

Gollum showed me brochures last week, I think it was from TOT or CAT. There is also an article by Khun Woody in latest Phuket Gazette about it.

I am also very interested in the 3G option, as my landline is just crap. But I heard that the only Air Card CAT sells go for 16,000 BHT. Has anyone had experience with this one yet?

Denver · #15 17-11-2006, 22:43

I'd be interested to find out more about the 'Air Card' - Price and availability.

Just purchased this from Amazon........... Hope it gets here before I leave...

Linksys CIT200 VOIP (Skype) Compatible Digital Cordless Telephone not bad IMHO for GBP36.

Linksys CIT200 Skype phone review

ATMwalking · #16 17-11-2006, 22:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Denver

[color="Green"]I'd be intersted to find out more about the 'Air Card' - Price and availability.

I edited my post with more information. Botom line is it works, if you are in the right area. ADSL still better if you can get it.

Right now the only officially supported card is the Sierra Wireless 580 bought from CAT. They could easily block all non CAT cards. Please let us know if yours works.

LivinLOS · #17 18-11-2006, 08:14

And CAT is incredibly unhelpful with info.. I went and tried to prise info out of them and just got the 'no cannot' response to 3G quizzing when I know for 100% sure that 'can' was the reply to some of them.. They also said if I didnt buy thier solution (hardware) they wouldnt let me have a line can anyone confirm ??

Might be in the market for this for my mum... Simple and for web is all she needs.. Barely needs broadband to be honest.. But at least an always on connection means msn or skype is like a phone to her !!

ATMwalking · #18 18-11-2006, 13:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by LivinLOS

And CAT is incredibly unhelpful with info.. I went and tried to prise info out of them and just got the 'no cannot' response to 3G quizzing when I know for 100% sure that 'can' was the reply to some of them.. They also said if I didnt buy thier solution (hardware) they wouldnt let me have a line can anyone confirm ??

I had the opposite experience in Phuket town for both the "DO" (say Deeooo) service (3G) and ADSL. Friendly and helpful. Another option is to buy the card at Central. The computer store in the back down near TOT/PowerBuy. They are a CAT agent. Same price. Make sure they give you the free until April promotion.

For DO, having to buy the card is reasonable given the service is free for 6 months. I decided after it didn't quite my needs so sold it to my friend. 200/baht to transfer names.

I told them I already had an ADSL modem and they hooked up an ADSL line for me without issue.

So in town and at Central they are very helpful. But you will need a work permit or your Thai girlfriend (with ID and house papers) to sign up for the service.

LivinLOS · #19 18-11-2006, 14:30

The problem is a 'card' is no good for me.. I need a router type setup.. These exist but CAT dont sell them.. So in effect theres a 15k penalty.. I have to buy equipment I dont want (and then buy the equipment I do want) to get a service I do..

Also when I said it would be possible to link the aircard equipped laptop into one machine and use that as a server on my network.. No cannot I was told, of course I can, they just dont want me to or understand..

I think for a laptop using long stay tourist its a great package.. and I think theres a small biz out there for somone who buys 10 or more cards and leases / rents them out with a deposit.. Card and line for long stay expats no paperwork needed.. Reckon people would pay 2 - 3k per months and even more for 1 month.. Especially if no paper go pick it up and install drivers.. done..

ATMwalking · #20 18-11-2006, 15:16

Forget Expats. We are too small and the world doesn't revolve around us.

High-Speed Internet access is a key part of high-end tourism. Exactly what TAT wants. CAT needs a prepaid service with bring-your-own-card. Much like bring your own mobile phone and use a prepaid sim.

Not tapping the 10 million strong tourists market is the biggest missed opertunity for CAT. Of course there is room for the private market to fill this gap.

LivinLOS · #21 18-11-2006, 15:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATMwalking

Forget Expats. We are too small and the world doesn't revolve around us.

I personally know 10 or so expats who live on nanai that want broadband but have no tel line and the ADSL headache of install is too much for them. They also move apartments every few months.. I think that you could get 100 people renting those out longterm if you advertised the service correctly.. Have a laminated card stuck up in each bar.

Then add in people who would pay the big price premium for 1 - 3 month vacation rents..

I didnt mean a biz to retire on I mean something to keep the missus happy.. very simple to do, could build for a small investment.. Something little bit better than renting scooters but just as profitable.

ATMwalking · #22 18-11-2006, 16:28

Yep. I moved from Patong because of Internet. I feel the pain.

But why focus on a few thousand expats when you can get them and millions of tourists? Or to say, what would motivate CAT to have offer better coverage with less sign-up BS? Tourists.

Thai Air and Air Asia don't fly to Phuket so us expats can pop up to BKK for fun. Starbucks isn't here just to make me happy. It all flows from tourists. That is the opertunity for CAT. And we (expats) win.

But I will stop dreaming that logic fits in somewhere over here ;-)

BTW, the CAT DO service current is very bad on Nanai unless you are up on the hill.

In general Patong is low on the services priority list for local officials. If you want phone lines, internet, better roads, steady power, steady water then you need to move from Patong. Strange as that is the biggest tourist/expat market.

Denver · #23 18-11-2006, 19:52

Just a quick one from me, in summary......I can expect to pay 16K for the card, free until the end of April on promotion and then 1300-ish Baht month after that from Central but need a work permit (Not going to get) or to borrow someones girlfriend for the day with papers?

It sounds like a great solution for me and my skype and t'internet fetish...... is my summary correct?

D