Some questions about changing ISP

[DUS]

Hi,

 

I am living in a high-rise condo here in BKK (near Asoke). The building was built in the 1990s and ever since I moved in about 4 years ago we always only had a choice between True Online and an independent company (reseller?) using 3BB lines as ISPs. 

 

So far, I have been using the reseller but after experiencing more and more technical glitches in recent months and with my current contract expiring next month, I started wondering if I should move to True. After all, my current provider offers a max of 50Mbit whilst True (on paper) offers much higher speeds. I started reading a bit about True Online here and on other forums and the reviews were, let´s say, "mixed".  Now, I don´t mean my post to turn into a "Do you like or hate True?" thread. Since I never had any other ISP than my current independent 3BB reseller, I have some much more general, very basic questions and I hope some of you might provide me with some insight.

 

With the building being fairly old we currently use the old cables and wiring inside the complex. As such, no fiber cables etc. I know that True fiber runs into the house (if that´s the correct wording) but from there it uses the old (copper?) cables to the individual units. With that said, I wonder how can I learn what the maximum possible speed is to my condo here on the 24th floor? I am pretty sure it won´t be anywhere near 1,000 Mbps and probably not even near the 300 or 500 Mbps. I see that the cheapest True package offers 200 Mbps but if the cables in our building only allow below 100Mbps speeds, then I would probably hesitate to bother with changing the provider. But if I could get 100Mbps + then it´d be an option I´d seriously consider. But how will I know what the speed is (likely) going to be?

 

I started asking around amongst the other owners and tenants living here. The 3 or 4 I found using True have been with True for ages and are on 30 and 50Mbps packages which are no longer available. So whilst they could tell me about drop-outs and other issues, in terms of maximum speeds they didn´t know the answer. This leaves me with the question: who CAN tell me? I am fairly sure that if I contacted True they´d promise "heaven on earth" just to get me as a new subscriber, so I doubt it will make sense to ask them. Or does it? Can they somehow check the lines in our condo and provide a genuine, reliable assessment of the maximum speed I can expect before I sign up with them?

 

Lastly, I´d like to ask a question about the international speed when connecting to servers abroad. I am regularly streaming from servers in Europe and when I check on testmy.net I currently get around 20Mbit when using single-thread connections to various locations in the EU. If you are using True Online, what is your experience with international downloads and streams?

 

Thank you!

DUS

 

 

[userabcd]

If the building is wired with copper, unfortunately your internet speed will be limited to about 50/20 unless the building owners with the ISP come to an arrangement to install fiber optic.

 

I know some who are in the same predicament and limited by the true package 50 down 20 up. True are a little difficult and will not rewire in an older building from their incoming server.

 

Some older buildings in Thonglor area where TOT were interested in developing their customer base. They met with the condo/building management and agreement was reached that TOT could provide the incoming connection and their subcontractor (Last Mile) did all the fiber optic distribution and wiring to the various floors. The new subscriber customer in the building just contacts TOT and then TOT/Last Mile do the wiring to the Appt and connection.

 

Maybe someone in your building could contact TOT in your area and see if they are interested to meet with your building management to provide a better internet service if there is a possibility to increase their subscriber base.

[muratremix]

just get True rather than a shared 3BB line.