5G wifi/LAN router - SIM unlocked

[simon43]

I have used 4G SIMs on various mobile networks in Thailand, Laos and Myanmar for my online teaching.  It generally works OK. I know from experience that I get the fastest internet connection if I use a mobile router with LAN cable connection.  Next fastest is using my mobile phone 4G SIM with USB tether and the slowest (but still fast) is using a wifi connection to my router or mobile phone.

 

Now I think it's time for me to 'up my game' and buy a SIM router that uses a 5G SIM and provides ethernet connection to my laptop.

 

I have 2 questions:

- Can you suggest (weblink) a suitable SIM router? Preferably a router that ships from Thailand.

- Can you suggest the package name for unlimited 5G (dropping to 4G if necessary) prepaid SIMS for AIS, DTAC and True?  I usually have a data package from 2 different mobile networks, in case one of them goes down!

 

Thanks

[novacova]

I just recently changed from a ais prepaid 4g w/200gb @ 200฿ a month plan to Marathon sim, an annual 5g plan w/50gb @ 2200฿ a year with ais, just pay once a year and forget about it. 50gb is more than enough for me, over the years with the previous plan I don’t think I’ve ever used 50gb in a month. There’s different variations of the Marathon sim. I went in the shop, didn’t do it online. AIS has the most reliable network, personally wouldn’t go with anything else. Most of the plans I noticed have various amounts of data that can be used on 5g, personally I I can’t tell the difference between 4g and 5g so I just been keeping the phone on 4g. Don’t know anything about a sim router, though I’m sure you’ll get the usual lazada recommendations from others here.

Edited June 20 by novacova

[NowNow]

20 hours ago, simon43 said:

I have used 4G SIMs on various mobile networks in Thailand, Laos and Myanmar for my online teaching.  It generally works OK. I know from experience that I get the fastest internet connection if I use a mobile router with LAN cable connection.  Next fastest is using my mobile phone 4G SIM with USB tether and the slowest (but still fast) is using a wifi connection to my router or mobile phone.

 

Now I think it's time for me to 'up my game' and buy a SIM router that uses a 5G SIM and provides ethernet connection to my laptop.

 

I have 2 questions:

- Can you suggest (weblink) a suitable SIM router? Preferably a router that ships from Thailand.

- Can you suggest the package name for unlimited 5G (dropping to 4G if necessary) prepaid SIMS for AIS, DTAC and True?  I usually have a data package from 2 different mobile networks, in case one of them goes down!

 

Thanks

 

There is no unlimited 5G for when it comes to Prepaid. Are you willing to fork out up to 1200 baht monthly for unlimited 5G? That's what AIS are charging postpaid. Similarly DTAC. So that 2400 baht monthly every month, to include your backup.

Prepaid doesn't have unlimited 5G. You'll get an amount of perhaps 30GB, which then defaults to an amount of an úp to 15Mbps fixed speed, when then drops down to 1Mbps for the remaining duration.

 

Your phone should be faster than your mobile router unless it's a cheapie. A Cat.12 or say, Cat.21 mobile should be faster than a Cat.4 or Cat.6 router. But a router will have more specialist function. Allowing you to lock on to a less congested band, improving your experience.

See my other post for current unlimited fixed speed options.

 

 

 

[NowNow]

20 hours ago, novacova said:

I just recently changed from a ais prepaid 4g w/200gb @ 200฿ a month plan to Marathon sim, an annual 5g plan w/50gb @ 2200฿ a year with ais, just pay once a year and forget about it. 50gb is more than enough for me, over the years with the previous plan I don’t think I’ve ever used 50gb in a month. There’s different variations of the Marathon sim. I went in the shop, didn’t do it online. AIS has the most reliable network, personally wouldn’t go with anything else. Most of the plans I noticed have various amounts of data that can be used on 5g, personally I I can’t tell the difference between 4g and 5g so I just been keeping the phone on 4g. Don’t know anything about a sim router, though I’m sure you’ll get the usual lazada recommendations from others here.

 

You did what? 😊 You swapped a 200 GB package costing 2400 baht for a 50 GB package costing 2200 baht?

Why not just top up 2400 baht at one time(in increments to build up validity days) and not think about it again?

[recom273]

I like this company, they are in Hong Kong, I think the CEO is a Brit.

 

https://www.gl-inet.com

 

They are very knowlegable, and are always happy to chat and guide. 
 

I already own one of their products but was thinking of incorporating a Spitz 750, into my system. The router isn’t especially cheap but If I ever lost connection from my ISP then my connection would automatically fallback to the sim router, loss of connection for me incurs a fine, so paying out for a decent router with carrier aggregation will pay for itself as power and internet outages are common out my way.   Some of the products can be purchased in Thailand, but buying directly is very reliable.

[NowNow]

13 hours ago, recom273 said:

I like this company, they are in Hong Kong, I think the CEO is a Brit.

 

https://www.gl-inet.com

 

They are very knowlegable, and are always happy to chat and guide. 
 

I already own one of their products but was thinking of incorporating a Spitz 750, into my system. The router isn’t especially cheap but If I ever lost connection from my ISP then my connection would automatically fallback to the sim router, loss of connection for me incurs a fine, so paying out for a decent router with carrier aggregation will pay for itself as power and internet outages are common out my way.   Some of the products can be purchased in Thailand, but buying directly is very reliable.

 

Carrier Aggregation would need to support the frequencies utilised in the intended locations. Otherwise it is useless.

They sell on Shopee: https://shopee.co.th/glinet.th

The very first review states that the seller does not answer technical questions. Perhaps they need to get on to that.

[jas007]

AIS has a 5G router, but when I tried to buy one, none of the AIS stores in Pattaya had any in stock. The AIS store in Central Festival had one behind the counter that had been ordered by a customer, but no others. The told me to check with AIS in Bangkok.

 

If I knew more about routers, I’d probably order one online.  But with my luck, I’d end up with something that didn’t work for some reason. 
 

For what it’s worth, my IPhone 15 Pro is 5G, and it can be really fast here in Thailand if I turn off the VPN.  But sometimes, the phone switches over to 4G authentication, so you never know.

 

Im using that phone now, as a hotspot in Bangkok. The speed is fine, even with VPN.

Edited June 24 by jas007

[recom273]

6 hours ago, NowNow said:

 

Carrier Aggregation would need to support the frequencies utilised in the intended locations. Otherwise it is useless.

They sell on Shopee: https://shopee.co.th/glinet.th

The very first review states that the seller does not answer technical questions. Perhaps they need to get on to that.

There have been plenty on here about sim routers, there used to be a very knowledgeable poster who suggested some specs and a gl.inet router seemed to fit his ideas. Having already one of their products I contacted the company via their website, response was really fast, i later discovered it was the CEO was really helpful, and his replies seem to fit with the info from this forum. I have no idea about Shopee. In the future I will implement a fallback system, I know my home router can perform this, I will contact them further and ask the questions to the provider to wether they utilize carrier aggregation before making a decision. 

[NowNow]

5 minutes ago, recom273 said:

There have been plenty on here about sim routers, there used to be a very knowledgeable poster who suggested some specs and a gl.inet router seemed to fit his ideas. Having already one of their products I contacted the company via their website, response was really fast, i later discovered it was the CEO was really helpful, and his replies seem to fit with the info from this forum. I have no idea about Shopee. In the future I will implement a fallback system, I know my home router can perform this, I will contact them further and ask the questions to the provider to wether they utilize carrier aggregation before making a decision. 

 

I took a look at one of their products: https://www.gl-inet.com/products/gl-e750/

It covers single band use in Thailand easily: 

LTE-FDDB1/B2/B3/B4/B5/B7/B8/B12/B13/B14/B17/B18/B19/B20/B25/B26/B28/B29②/B30/B32①/B66/B71

LTE-TDDB34/B38/B39/B40/B41/B42/B43/B46① (LAA)/B48 (CBRS)

 

Here we see the CA possibilities: 

B2+B2/5/12/13/29③;B4+B4/5/12/13/29③; B5+B5/7/25/30/66; B7+B7/12/26;B12+B12/25/30/66; B13+B66; B25+B25/26; B30+B29; B66+B29/66; B41+B41; 

The pairs highlighted in bold may be the only pairs relevant to Thailand.

 

Of course their other models may have other specifications. I just chose that one at random.

[recom273]

9 minutes ago, NowNow said:

 

I took a look at one of their products: https://www.gl-inet.com/products/gl-e750/

It covers single band use in Thailand easily: 

LTE-FDDB1/B2/B3/B4/B5/B7/B8/B12/B13/B14/B17/B18/B19/B20/B25/B26/B28/B29②/B30/B32①/B66/B71

LTE-TDDB34/B38/B39/B40/B41/B42/B43/B46① (LAA)/B48 (CBRS)

 

Here we see the CA possibilities: 

B2+B2/5/12/13/29③;B4+B4/5/12/13/29③; B5+B5/7/25/30/66; B7+B7/12/26;B12+B12/25/30/66; B13+B66; B25+B25/26; B30+B29; B66+B29/66; B41+B41; 

The pairs highlighted in bold may be the only pairs relevant to Thailand.

 

Of course their other models may have other specifications. I just chose that one at random.

As I wrote in the first post, the Spitz 750 was the only sim router that could utilize carrier aggregation. We don’t know if carrier aggregation is possible without contacting the cell provider. 

 

I don’t understand your point. All Of suggested was the OP contacts this company for some advice as I had good dealings with them in the past. 

[NowNow]

7 minutes ago, recom273 said:

As I wrote in the first post, the Spitz 750 was the only sim router that could utilize carrier aggregation. We don’t know if carrier aggregation is possible without contacting the cell provider. 

 

I don’t understand your point. All Of suggested was the OP contacts this company for some advice as I had good dealings with them in the past. 

 

The model described in my post above is not the Spitz 750. It's the Mudi v2 Cat.6 (EM060K-G) To be distinguished from the Mudi v2 Cat.4 (EM05-G) which is not capable of CA.

 

We know all three of the main networks utilise CA. 

For example, Truemove H: 

CA_1A-3A (B1+B3)

CA_1A-8A (B1+B8)

CA_1A-3A-8A (B1+B3+B8)

 

AIS: 

CA_1A-3A (B1+B3)

CA_1A-3A-8A (B1+B3+B8)

 

DTAC: 

CA_1A-3A (B1+B3)

CA_40C (B40+B40)

CA_40D (B40+B40+B40)

 

Though certainly worth contacting them for updated info. Whether you'll get that info is another thing altogether.

 

 

[recom273]

1 minute ago, NowNow said:

 

The model described in my post above is not the Spitz 750. It's the Mudi v2 Cat.6 (EM060K-G) To be distinguished from the Mudi v2 Cat.4 (EM05-G) which is not capable of CA.

 

We know all three of the main networks utilise CA. 

For example, Truemove H: 

CA_1A-3A (B1+B3)

CA_1A-8A (B1+B8)

CA_1A-3A-8A (B1+B3+B8)

 

AIS: 

CA_1A-3A (B1+B3)

CA_1A-3A-8A (B1+B3+B8)

 

DTAC: 

CA_1A-3A (B1+B3)

CA_40C (B40+B40)

CA_40D (B40+B40+B40)

 

Though certainly worth contacting them for updated info. Whether you'll get that info is another thing altogether.

 

 

I am really lost, I said I was interested in buying a router - the Spitz 750 because it had carrier aggregation and you posted specs of another router.
 

You are comparing apples to oranges, but to tell the truth I really don’t understand what point you are making - the only reason I posted was because I have a similar need for uninterrupted internet service. Please, whatever you suggest is much better, he should listen to the guy on Shopee. 

[NowNow]

2 hours ago, recom273 said:

I am really lost, I said I was interested in buying a router - the Spitz 750 because it had carrier aggregation and you posted specs of another router.
 

You are comparing apples to oranges, but to tell the truth I really don’t understand what point you are making - the only reason I posted was because I have a similar need for uninterrupted internet service. Please, whatever you suggest is much better, he should listen to the guy on Shopee. 

 

Perhaps the reason why you are 'lost' is that you confused this thread for your own. Whereas I took it as a general recommendation for @simon43 since it's his thread. Looking for a router capable of CA is a good idea, but it needs to be compatible with the capabilities of the networks in question.

In other words, I've been in agreement with you all along. That's probably what confused you....with all the arguing that goes on here 😊

But now we are obviously in disagreement, as you claim the the Spitz 750 was their only model capable of carrier aggregation. That's obviously incorrect, as I highlighted another one of their models that has this feature.

Both the Spitz (GL-X750/GL-X750V2) and the Mudi V2 (GL-E750V2) are capable of CA. There may be more but I haven't checked. BUT there additional designations within those two models. Not all Spitz are capable of CA. Similarly the Mudi. 

There are differing configuarations according to the market for which they are meant. As I illustrated earlier: Mudi V2 (GL-E750V2) CAT 6 (EM060K-G) / CAT 4 (EM05-G)

Spitz X750V2 may also be either CAT 4 or CAT 6.

You need to look more closely at the specification or at least take good advice.

GL-E750 / Mudi - GL.iNet (gl-inet.com)

GL-X750 / Spitz - GL.iNet (gl-inet.com)

 

The Shopee link looks like their official site to me.

[simon43]

Thanks for all the advice.  In the end I returned to use a solution that I've previously used >> Speedify software to link different internet services with automatic fallover/switchover.

 

I bought a True postpaid 5g unlimited data SIM and put it in a 4G/5G 'pocket wifi' unit, then connected that to my laptop via one of the USB ports.  Next I connected my AIS 4G SIM in my mobile phone to another USB port.  Finally I connected to my hotel wifi service.  With the True 5G connection as my primary internet connection, the other 2 are my back-ups in Speedify.

 

Teaching online via Zoom, my connection is pretty reliable, but Speedify stats indicate that I get a 'fallover' perhaps 30 times in an hour! Having the 2 back-up internet connections saves me from loosing connection in my Zoom class 🙂

[NowNow]

9 minutes ago, simon43 said:

Thanks for all the advice.  In the end I returned to use a solution that I've previously used >> Speedify software to link different internet services with automatic fallover/switchover.

 

I bought a True postpaid 5g unlimited data SIM and put it in a 4G/5G 'pocket wifi' unit, then connected that to my laptop via one of the USB ports.  Next I connected my AIS 4G SIM in my mobile phone to another USB port.  Finally I connected to my hotel wifi service.  With the True 5G connection as my primary internet connection, the other 2 are my back-ups in Speedify.

 

Teaching online via Zoom, my connection is pretty reliable, but Speedify stats indicate that I get a 'fallover' perhaps 30 times in an hour! Having the 2 back-up internet connections saves me from loosing connection in my Zoom class 🙂

 

"put it in a 4G/5G 'pocket wifi' unit,"

 

I don't think you did. You wouldn't have been asking about 5G routers if you already had one.

[simon43]

8 hours ago, NowNow said:

 

"put it in a 4G/5G 'pocket wifi' unit,"

 

I don't think you did. You wouldn't have been asking about 5G routers if you already had one.

Your comment is 'lost' on me.  When I went to top up my True SIM, they offered to upgrade it to postpaid 5G. I did this, then went to Tukcom and bought a 5G pocket wi-fi unit, (since that's cheaper than buying a 5G phone). The pocket wi-fi box has no ethernet port, but it seems pretty fast when using the USB tether.

[ravip]

13 hours ago, NowNow said:

 

I took a look at one of their products: https://www.gl-inet.com/products/gl-e750/

It covers single band use in Thailand easily: 

LTE-FDDB1/B2/B3/B4/B5/B7/B8/B12/B13/B14/B17/B18/B19/B20/B25/B26/B28/B29②/B30/B32①/B66/B71

LTE-TDDB34/B38/B39/B40/B41/B42/B43/B46① (LAA)/B48 (CBRS)

 

Here we see the CA possibilities: 

B2+B2/5/12/13/29③;B4+B4/5/12/13/29③; B5+B5/7/25/30/66; B7+B7/12/26;B12+B12/25/30/66; B13+B66; B25+B25/26; B30+B29; B66+B29/66; B41+B41; 

The pairs highlighted in bold may be the only pairs relevant to Thailand.

 

Of course their other models may have other specifications. I just chose that one at random.

I just bought a TP Link M7000 for AUD 89/-

Of course no 5G. But has most of the FDD & TDD bands. Not as sophisticated as the one you have linked to.

Edited June 25 by ravip

[digbeth]

On 6/21/2024 at 12:55 PM, NowNow said:

 

There is no unlimited 5G for when it comes to Prepaid. Are you willing to fork out up to 1200 baht monthly for unlimited 5G? That's what AIS are charging postpaid....

 

AIS don't have advertised unlimited data on prepaid, but the girls in AIS shop can get me one, cost about the same 1200+ baht by topping up and using a short code +# something  dialed out on the phone, there's inconvenience in having to take the sim out of the router to dial this code every month

[NowNow]

6 minutes ago, digbeth said:

 

AIS don't have advertised unlimited data on prepaid, but the girls in AIS shop can get me one, cost about the same 1200+ baht by topping up and using a short code +# something  dialed out on the phone, there's inconvenience in having to take the sim out of the router to dial this code every month

 

That's an Unlimited 10Mbps package, rather than full speed 5G. Why not go for postpaid and pay the same for Unlimited 5G?

5G Max UNLIMITED

1,199 baht

 

per month

 

5G Internet

Unlimited

at a maximum speed of 1Gbps

Free call all networks

350 mins

 

AIS Super WiFi

Unlimited

 

PLAY Premium Plus

12 months

 

HBO

6 months

 

Serenade

Emerald

 

https://www.ais.th/en/consumers/package/exclusive-plan/5g-max-experience

 

[NowNow]

13 minutes ago, digbeth said:

 

AIS don't have advertised unlimited data on prepaid, but the girls in AIS shop can get me one, cost about the same 1200+ baht by topping up and using a short code +# something  dialed out on the phone, there's inconvenience in having to take the sim out of the router to dial this code every month

 

 

If you want to stick with Prepaid, AIS has been running an Unlimited 10Mbps promo for at least six months now. 450 + VAT(481.50) baht. I think the promo may have ended on the 15th, but you can still try it. If it works, it will continue to work for six months, as long as you top up with 500 baht before the renewal date. *777*7703# and then the Call key.

[digbeth]

6 minutes ago, NowNow said:

 

That's an Unlimited 10Mbps package, rather than full speed 5G. Why not go for postpaid and pay the same for Unlimited 5G?

5G Max UNLIMITED

1,199 baht

 

per month

 

5G Internet

Unlimited

at a maximum speed of 1Gbps

 

Free call all networks

350 mins

 

 

AIS Super WiFi

Unlimited

 

 

PLAY Premium Plus

12 months

 

 

HBO

6 months

 

 

Serenade

Emerald

 

https://www.ais.th/en/consumers/package/exclusive-plan/5g-max-experience

 

 

no, this is full unlimited, came with some calling minutes too,  I have short code written on the sim card sleeve it came in, 

[NowNow]

50 minutes ago, simon43 said:

Your comment is 'lost' on me.  When I went to top up my True SIM, they offered to upgrade it to postpaid 5G. I did this, then went to Tukcom and bought a 5G pocket wi-fi unit, (since that's cheaper than buying a 5G phone). The pocket wi-fi box has no ethernet port, but it seems pretty fast when using the USB tether.

 

What's the brand and model number of your 5G pocket wi-fi unit? I'll try to find which freqencies it supports and the best network to use with it. What TRUE package are you using?

 

[NowNow]

8 minutes ago, digbeth said:

 

no, this is full unlimited, came with some calling minutes too,  I have short code written on the sim card sleeve it came in, 

 

What's the short code?

[novacova]

On 6/21/2024 at 12:58 PM, NowNow said:

 

You did what? 😊 You swapped a 200 GB package costing 2400 baht for a 50 GB package costing 2200 baht?

Why not just top up 2400 baht at one time(in increments to build up validity days) and not think about it again?

 

On 6/20/2024 at 4:47 PM, novacova said:

I don’t think I’ve ever used 50gb in a month

…& paying once a year is more convenient for me

[NowNow]

2 minutes ago, novacova said:

 

…& paying once a year is more convenient for me

 

That's what I suggested. Topping up 2400 at one time(or at least 1200 for six months) as the package auto-renews as long as there is sufficient credit. Too late now. Shame, as those Unlimited packages aren't available to new customers, but people already on them get to keep them as long as they are using them. 

Doesn't matter if you didn't ever use more than 50GB. Likelihood is that the previous package also included calls and perhaps SuperWiFi. The price differential was just 200 baht per annum. Not a reason for change. Plus you would have number continuity if that mattered to you.

[novacova]

3 hours ago, NowNow said:

Topping up 2400 at one time

That’s what I have been doing, been topping up a year out and even though it’s topped up for the next 12 months I have to add another ฿200 a month, for whatever reason the last couple of months, system is changing me double.

[NowNow]

30 minutes ago, novacova said:

That’s what I have been doing, been topping up a year out and even though it’s topped up for the next 12 months I have to add another ฿200 a month, for whatever reason the last couple of months, system is changing me double.

 

So you still have the old 200 baht per month SIM card/plan? It sounds like the add the credit, but don't extend the validity period of the SIM card. You can do that once a year by adding 10 or 20 baht at at time until the SIM is maaxed out at 12 months of validity. Then add the remainder to get to the 2400 baht. Either way, for now, just do the 10 or 20 baht thing. 

 

Topping up 2400 baht at once will still only give you one month of SIM validity. Easiest way is just to do a bank transfer of 200 baht x 12. That maaxes out the SIM validity(365 days max) and gives you the top up amount that you need for the package.