A simcard with long validity and user internet dashboard

[chado]

I want a simcard with

A) long validity period and ability to extend it for a cheap

internet user dashboard at their website, where I can see statistics, top up my simcard when I'm abroad, etc...

C) it must work in other countries. Not calling or internet, but at least I must be able to receive sms.

 

As far as I know, it's Dtac, right? I've been using it for a long time. However, maybe there're better options nowadays.

 

P.S.

 Are there such simcards in other countries of SE Asia? Malaysia? Singapore? I'd buy one as long as it meets my requirements.

Edited March 12, 2018 by chado

[metisdead]

Moved to the Mobile devices forum for knowledgeable answers.

[Peterw42]

A) I believe all the Thai sims, credit will last up to a year. All their prices are comparable to each other.

 

 All the Thai sims have options to check credit and internet pack credit built into the sim, USD codes and a message is sent back. Your phone can keep track of data usage etc. If you have Thai internet banking you can top up credit for all the Thai sims. Or often via the companies websites using a credit-card.

 

C) All Sims should work in other countries if global roaming is activated, it usually has to be activated with the carrier on a pre-paid service. It can be very expensive as you pay to receive calls and SMS when on roaming. You often need to turn off internet roaming to save money as lots of programs are going on the internet in the background, and its very expensive when on roaming.

 

Sims would be available in other countries, Singapore, Malaysia etc

 

Lots of phones now-days have dual sim capabilities, When I travel outside Thailand I usually keep the Thai sim going for incoming sms/calls and put a local sim in the 2nd slot for outgoing calls and internet. Often, I find I dont have a lot of use for a local sim in other countries as most contacts are on LINE, Messenger etc, and just use local wi-fi.

Edited March 12, 2018 by Peterw42

[chado]

1 hour ago, Peterw42 said:

A) I believe all the Thai sims, credit will last up to a year. All their prices are comparable to each other.

 

 All the Thai sims have options to check credit and internet pack credit built into the sim, USD codes and a message is sent back. Your phone can keep track of data usage etc. If you have Thai internet banking you can top up credit for all the Thai sims. Or often via the companies websites using a credit-card.

 

C) All Sims should work in other countries if global roaming is activated, it usually has to be activated with the carrier on a pre-paid service. It can be very expensive as you pay to receive calls and SMS when on roaming. You often need to turn off internet roaming to save money as lots of programs are going on the internet in the background, and its very expensive when on roaming.

 

Sims would be available in other countries, Singapore, Malaysia etc

 

Lots of phones now-days have dual sim capabilities, When I travel outside Thailand I usually keep the Thai sim going for incoming sms/calls and put a local sim in the 2nd slot for outgoing calls and internet. Often, I find I dont have a lot of use for a local sim in other countries as most contacts are on LINE, Messenger etc, and just use local wi-fi.

a) no

all sims on Earth have an option to check their balance via USD codes

c) should. whereas I said "must". I've experienced already the opposity, although not with a thai sim.

 

"Sims would be available in other countries, Singapore, Malaysia etc" --> thanks. Now I know that in these countries some simcards do exist.

 

[mtls2005]

Most/nearly all pre-paid SIMs from all three major providers can be extended to a maximum of 365/366 days, with relatively little monetary input, say 144 baht for twelve 10 baht top-ups (12 baht with the fee) resulting in 120 baht credit. Some specialized SIMs have a maximum expiry of 90 days, but those are rare these days. Some SIMs/promotions have a 90-day activity requirement (outbound call, top-up), which may or may not be enforced.

 

All three major providers offer several methods to "manage" your prepaid account: IVR, USSD, Android/iPhone app, Web-based. The latter two methods are "dashboard" like. All three providers offer methods to top-up via a CC.

 

All three major providers here offer international roaming on pre-paid SIMs. Assuming you've registered for the service (via IVR, USSD, App/Web, calling, etc.), have a capable phone, a local roaming partner signal then you can make/receive calls and SMSes. Receiving SMSes is fee-free. You will pay for both in-coming and out-going calls, and out-going SMSes. Rates are somewhat region/country-dependent but tend towards the high side, ~ 50-ish baht per minute or 15-ish baht per originated SMS.

 

 

 

All three major providers here also offer pre-paid international roaming SIMs, and these may do offer convenience in that they are ready to go upon landing, so no need to find a local SIM. Most of these offer decently-priced data, so 899 baht (incl VAT) for 4 GB/15 days/Asian countries.

 

 

http://www.ais.co.th/roaming/sim2fly/en/

 

https://www.dtac.co.th/en/gointer/

 

https://pantip.com/topic/36302316

 

 

Almost every country has some sort of pre-paid SIM, most are available to visitors.

 

 

[2008bangkok]

If you are abroad alot I recommend using the  Dtac call app. Once switched on it uses wifi to call but charge you the same rate as if you were calling from Thailand which for most plans is 1bht per minute, it also receives sms messages.