I didn't realise higher floors meant slower data connection, until now. 

It explains a lot actually as I've always felt cheated when buying a package that was never delivering on the speed that was advertised. 

 

A couple of nights ago it wasn't even reaching 1 Mbps, making calling back to the UK near impossible.

I've just tested this morning, and I got 1 or 2 Mbps in my room, and now down on street level, it's nearer to 7 or 8. Even here in the Big C food court Pattaya Klang (no outside walls or windows) it's showing as 6 or 7 Mbps. 

The package I'm on (True) is supposed to be 15. 

 

Apart from moving to a lower floor, or testing with other networks, is there much else I can do to get a faster connection in my condo? 

 

I want to stick with mobile data as I'm only here for around 3 months of the year. A fixed line would work out much more expensive, and I would still need data when I'm out and about. 

 

 

 

 

13 minutes ago, Johnlkuk said:

I didn't realise higher floors meant slower data connection, until now. 

It explains a lot actually as I've always felt cheated when buying a package that was never delivering on the speed that was advertised. 

 

A couple of nights ago it wasn't even reaching 1 Mbps, making calling back to the UK near impossible.

I've just tested this morning, and I got 1 or 2 Mbps in my room, and now down on street level, it's nearer to 7 or 8. Even here in the Big C food court Pattaya Klang (no outside walls or windows) it's showing as 6 or 7 Mbps. 

The package I'm on (True) is supposed to be 15. 

 

Apart from moving to a lower floor, or testing with other networks, is there much else I can do to get a faster connection in my condo? 

 

I want to stick with mobile data as I'm only here for around 3 months of the year. A fixed line would work out much more expensive, and I would still need data when I'm out and about. 

 

 

 

 

I have a condo on the 20th floor PKCP, behind big C extra, at times lucky to get reception. 

 

It's the distance to the cellular tower from the higher floors that's the problem. 

 

The very obvious solution is to change network...

 

Try AIS and if it's better, then use one of their packages. Living on the top floor of a condo building, I had the same experience. True and DTAC dire, AIS okay. So, try it.

Exactly what phone are you using?

1 hour ago, JakeC said:

The very obvious solution is to change network...

 

Try AIS and if it's better, then use one of their packages. Living on the top floor of a condo building, I had the same experience. True and DTAC dire, AIS okay. So, try it.

Exactly what phone are you using?

 

So, my regular True sim I'm using in my Huawei P20.

It's just 4G I believe so I guess that doesn't help much.

For my phone I signed up for an 8 day, 88 baht, 30GB @8Mbps, so when I'm out and about it's about what is being delivered. 

 

For this trip I actually bought a second True sim, which was supposed to be permo fitted to a new 4g LTE router to stay in the condo. Potentially this router can dish out something like 300Mbps via it's WiFi, but again, right now I'm lucky to be getting 1Mbps in real life. 

 

For the new sim I signed up for 20 days, about 230 baht, 99GB @ "max speed".

In the T&Cs it said max speed could be up to 100Mbps.

 

My next test will be to take out the new sim, put it in my phone, then test it outside, at street level, just to make sure it is delivering at least double figures of Mbps. 

 

If I tried another provider, would I be wasting my time if I tried Dtac as they are now part of True? 

I've somehow managed to add and see, and manage both my sims in the True app, so was trying not to have to download, and get around a whole new provider. 

Dtac sims can be added to the True app, apparently. 

 

1 hour ago, Johnlkuk said:

 

The package I'm on (True) is supposed to be 15. 

 

 

 

Sorry, a correction needed, it was actually an 8Mbps package. 

Fiber such as 3BB should be the same speed whatever the floor

Does AIS look like DTAC to you?  

 

I'm often replying to multiple queries at the same time, so I tend to get directly to the point. 

Good detail in your reply, though we need some more with regard to the router.

So...since you are getting 1 Mbps from both your phone and the router in your apartment, there is nothing much you can do to improve the situation with True...unless...you don't have carrier aggregation switched on. So check to see if you have a switch and if it's switched on. If not, switch it on and run another speed test using https://testmy.net/

You might find it here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=07I4JmuSw28

Carrier Aggregation, in short, can channel the output from more than one band. So if you can get 1 Mbps from each channel, you can tie them together. 3CA means 3 Mbps.  That of course is a simplified explanation.

Some more detail with regard to the router may open up another avenue, but unlikely.

The reason is this; TRUE utilises LTE Bands 1, 3 & 8 in the main, alongside Band 28 and Band 40.

Your phone covers 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 so that's as good as it going to get for you. You would have the same situation with DTAC and even AIS, but AIS may have a tower better aligned. Carrier aggregation might help.

In theory, you should be getting much higher speeds at ground level with the new SIM.

This is where your router comes in. Does it cover Bands 40(DTAC/TRUE) and Band 41(AIS)?

So let's take a closer look at the router. It won't have carrier aggregation, but it might support the less congested bands.

I'm not sure if @scubascuba3 started drinking early today. His post makes no sense at all.

 

What the plan with your phone? To buy a new package every eight days? :) That will cost 353 baht for 30 days.

 

 

 

 

 

2 hours ago, Johnlkuk said:

Apart from moving to a lower floor, or testing with other networks, is there much else I can do to get a faster connection in my condo? 

 

31 minutes ago, JakeC said:

I'm not sure if @scubascuba3 started drinking early today. His post makes no sense at all.

 

Even the thickest of the thick would have realised that getting fiber installed is a solution to the problem, give up on data

42 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Fiber such as 3BB should be the same speed whatever the floor

 

1 hour ago, JakeC said:

Does AIS look like DTAC to you?  

 

I'm often replying to multiple queries at the same time, so I tend to get directly to the point. 

Good detail in your reply, though we need some more with regard to the router.

So...since you are getting 1 Mbps from both your phone and the router in your apartment, there is nothing much you can do to improve the situation with True...unless...you don't have carrier aggregation switched on. So check to see if you have a switch and if it's switched on. If not, switch it on and run another speed test using https://testmy.net/

You might find it here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=07I4JmuSw28

Carrier Aggregation, in short, can channel the output from more than one band. So if you can get 1 Mbps from each channel, you can tie them together. 3CA means 3 Mbps.  That of course is a simplified explanation.

Some more detail with regard to the router may open up another avenue, but unlikely.

The reason is this; TRUE utilises LTE Bands 1, 3 & 8 in the main, alongside Band 28 and Band 40.

Your phone covers 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 so that's as good as it going to get for you. You would have the same situation with DTAC and even AIS, but AIS may have a tower better aligned. Carrier aggregation might help.

In theory, you should be getting much higher speeds at ground level with the new SIM.

This is where your router comes in. Does it cover Bands 40(DTAC/TRUE) and Band 41(AIS)?

So let's take a closer look at the router. It won't have carrier aggregation, but it might support the less congested bands.

I'm not sure if @scubascuba3 started drinking early today. His post makes no sense at all.

 

What the plan with your phone? To buy a new package every eight days? 🙂 That will cost 353 baht for 30 days.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you for your very detailed explanation, I'll try and address each part as best I can. 

 

The link to the YouTube video was for the Huawei P20 Pro (mine is not Pro, Lite etc, just P20) 

I stopped watching as the settings weren't the same as mine, but will that video go on to show how to manually adjust the carrier aggregation? That is, if its even manually possible. 

 

The router, which was just over 400 baht, is this one:

 

 

No visible buttons on its body, apart from a reset button on the back. 

 

I've logged in and found these details:

 

 

So, can you just confirm, Dtac and True use the same towers? 

 

I'm going to take the sim out of the router later and test it in my phone downstairs, but I will be ordering an AIS sim lwhatever that outcome. 

 

 

The plan was just to get online the moment I landed, and then to set up better in the condo.

I'm here 40ish days this trip, 

(hence the 20 day package x 2).

My phone could then have a minimal package once home is set up. 

 

On previous trips my connections have been slow, plus I've been using my phone for a hotspot, which hasn't been ideal.

 

 

1 hour ago, scubascuba3 said:

 

Even the thickest of the thick would have realised that getting fiber installed is a solution to the problem, give up on data

 

 

I gathered people would suggest going with fibre, hence I wrote this at the end of my first post:

 

4 hours ago, Johnlkuk said:

 

I want to stick with mobile data as I'm only here for around 3 months of the year. A fixed line would work out much more expensive, and I would still need data when I'm out and about. 

 

 

I would end up paying a year round fibre bill, plus any mobile packages when I'm here. 

 

I'm just trying to avoid that. 

Okay, @Johnlkuk  I can see that you are already using Band 40, which DTAC was using under a sharing agreement with TOT/NT. Now TRUE can use it. So if you are getting just 1 Mbps using Band 40, then I don't hold out much hope for higher speeds. But at least you can try it. Go into the Router settings to select the Bands manually and run a speed test on each one. 1, 3 ,8 & 40.

It's actually quite good that you can select individual bands.

 

If not better, https://www.lazada.co.th/products/pdp-i1487422386-s3917664775.html or https://www.lazada.co.th/products/pdp-i1487274400.html

Don't go into a shop or service centre.

 

With regard to your phone,  if there is no switch, you'll know it is capable of CA of you see a 4G+ sign instead of just 4G. 

 

I guess @scubascuba3 now understands that even the thickest of the thick should properly read the OP before commenting.

 

 

25 minutes ago, JakeC said:

Okay, @Johnlkuk  I can see that you are already using Band 40, which DTAC was using under a sharing agreement with TOT/NT. Now TRUE can use it. So if you are getting just 1 Mbps using Band 40, then I don't hold out much hope for higher speeds. But at least you can try it. Go into the Router settings to select the Bands manually and run a speed test on each one. 1, 3 ,8 & 40.

It's actually quite good that you can select individual bands.

 

 

 

Just done those tests and the results are as follows:

Band 1 - 2.93

Band 3 - 1.08

Band 8 - 1.39

Band 40 - 0.80

Then back to the setting with all bands selected - 1.29

 

Does this mean it's worth leaving it set on Band 1 rather than all bands?

 

Yes.

31 minutes ago, JakeC said:

Yes.

 

Thanks for your help Jake. 

 

I've just taken the router to the ground floor and was getting around 12 at one point, then back to 1.5 when I got back upstairs.

I'll order one of those AIS sims, thanks for the links, then report back later. 

 

One last question if I may:

Am I right there's 3 major network providers (AIS, Dtac and True) but some other smaller players too? 

And do these smaller players just piggyback off of one of the 3 main providers?

 

1.5Mbps...wasn't it 2.93Mbps? :) 

 

AIS/GoMo

DTAC/Finn Mobile

NT Mobile and varied MVNO

 

GoMo would be my choice, as they have Unlimited 15 Mbps for 277 baht, but you need a Thai partner for that.

18 minutes ago, JakeC said:

1.5Mbps...wasn't it 2.93Mbps? 🙂

 

 

Yes, sorry, I was tweaking the different bands again and it wasn't on 1.

Back on band 1 now and showing 2.95, so it will stay on that until the new sim comes.

 

Looks like I'll be safer just going with AIS, especially after what I just read... 

Test the AIS SIM before topping up and buying a package.

If okay, here are a few possible options(Most need to be applied within seven days of activating the new SIM):

 

Unlimited 10Mbps internet, no speed reduction

Free unlimited  use of AIS Hotspots

Free 3-month football viewing privilege *777*4199#

 

30 days

482 baht

*777*450#

 

MAX SPEED 100GB

High-speed internet (Up to 1,000Mbps)

FUP 1Mbps

Free unlimited of AIS Hotspots

Free 3-month football viewing privilege *777*3199#

30 days

399 baht

*777*399#

 

Net Marathon MAX

Internet speed 15Mbps, 50GB per month

No FUP

3 months

590 baht

*777*7697#

 

 

This one is more of all round phone package

 

All together 300

5G internet 20GB (+15Mbps internet speed 60GB per month)

FUP 1Mbps

Unlimited free calls to all networks (15 minutes/call)

Free unlimited use of AIS WiFi Hotspots

AIS Play Family free

Free internet for the first month (20GB) *777*7693#

Free internet for 2-6 months (20GB) *777*23002#

30 days

300 baht

*777*9272#

 

 

 

JakeC seems to have given you the correct solution right at the beginning, try AIS.

 

I've tried ALL the networks, and AIS consistently gives me the fastest speeds in almost every location!

 

I'll go one further and say that you should try and get the AIS GOMO SIM which has unlimited speed (1000 Mbps) on a lot of their packages which start from just 99 baht for 10 GB, and includes free calls etc., also.

 

The only catch is that you'll need a Thai national to get the Gomo Sim, it's not available for foreigners, but if you can get it, you'll probably solve your problem for just 99 baht!

Forgot to add, I believe all Gomo Sims are valid for one year, so that solves your problem of only being here a few months in a year.

23 hours ago, JakeC said:

The reason is this; TRUE utilises LTE Bands 1, 3 & 8 in the main, alongside Band 28 and Band 40.

Reminds of some offer by NT with unlimited mobile meant for fixed locations.

There was some clear remark about maximum height above ground.

Can't remember the details. 20 m?

 

A mobile phone antenna will surely not transmit in a 360 degrees "globe" but directed to some "beam" covering "ground".

5G promises all kind of enhancement with "beam forming" whatever but if it's not directed to your condo you loose.

 

A friend in Jomtien on 8th floor had an AIS SIM.

It worked somehow but I forgot what the performance was.

 

What you can do?

Buy a mobile router and a directional antenna so you could either pick a signal from a more distant cell (antenna) or the weak signal from "down".

Of course if any fixed line connection is available in the condo, x times better.

 

22 minutes ago, CanadaSam said:

I've tried ALL the networks, and AIS consistently gives me the fastest speeds in almost every location!

Still unchanged.

I have a GOMO SIM for mobile.

Can drive 600 km down south and have internet radio with very rare outage (Khao Yai uphill maybe).

Of course the onvious: try your luck on the balcony if any.

Particularly for a directional antenna.

Big concrete and steel do no good for mobile phone signals.

@CanadaSam I cannot agree that a 99 baht SIM will solve the OP's issue....at least not unless they add the Unlimited 15Mbps add-on for 277 baht per 30 days. 10GB per annum won't go very far. 833MB per month...hmm. 

But yes, as aforementioned, GoMo is a good option. Though not accessible to foreigners officially.

17 minutes ago, JakeC said:

I cannot agree that a 99 baht SIM will solve the OP's issue

 

Well, I believe it is the best option for the OP, for the 2 reasons that there is no speed limit on the 99 baht sim, and it comes with 10GB although valid for a year, but I personally top up 99 baht every couple of 5/6 weeks, and use it for not only for watching movies, but also for the free calls.

 

Very good info given by you regarding "bands" so I am going to try this to further increase my speed, which is now at approx. 50 Mbps.

 

Another point is that a 5G phone should also substantially increase his speed, but I do not believe the router he has is 5G (as shown on the picture he provided) at 400 baht, I have never seen any type of router with actual 5G for less than 2000 baht, and 5G phones start around 5k baht, I believe.

@CanadaSam I think you aren't properly reading the posts. This is for full home usage. I already suggested GoMo earlier in the thread. But your suggesting that a 10GB per annum SIM solving the OP's issue is just silly. 10 GB per annum will not suffice. A movie download per day, can use up to 100GB per month. The ONLY worthwhile pack they have for the OP is the Unlimited up to 15Mbps pack for 277 baht per 30 days. So then there is a speed limit, isn't there? Either a speed limit or a data volume limit. I cannot understand what you find to disagree with that.

 

Do you care to link to the 5G MiFi for 2k baht?

This is turning into a person conversation between us, Jake LOL!

 

What I meant is that I personally have tried so many different (expensive) packages, and then, one day, decided to check my actual usage on the phone (I'm old) and was shocked to find that I was doing only about 8 GB per month internet!

 

Also, I was unhappy with speed caps of 10 or 15 Mbps, because I was with a friend and he got 100 Mbps on his new 5G while we were inside a building!

 

Then, I found Gomo, and was so pleasantly surprised at the extremely high speeds offered even for their cheapest packages, and yes, there was a data cap (not a speed cap) but it was easy enough for me to refill another 99 baht whenever I needed!

 

Now, my point is, that we don't know the OP's usage, so is it unlimited speed that he really needs, or unlimited data?  Now, if his usage is below 25 GB a month, then he could get the Gomo unlimited speed package, for only 199 baht, as shown in the picture below, and that data will carry over to the next month if he does not need it.

 

Or, if speed is not important to him (which was the reason he started this thread) and he needs huge amounts of data, then he can go with your choice of the 15 Mbps speed, with unlimited data, for only 259 per month, I believe this is the package that you are referring to, and it isn't 277 baht, it's only 259 baht, (don't know if they reduced that or what, but it includes taxes etc.).  Picture below.

 

If you're in Pattaya, let's meet up for a beer, you seem to know a lot about technology that I don't!  Cheers, Sam.

 

Ok, about 5G routers, almost all the 4G routers on Lazada / Shopee advertise themselves as 5G!

 

But they are not 5G, because I (stupidly) bought four of them, different types!

 

Never could get more than 30 Mbps or so on any of them!

 

All were in the few hundreds of baht.

 

Then, told by a shop, that there are no actual 5G routers for less than 2000 and he advised me to only buy from either reputed shops or brands.

 

So I bought a 5G phone (only 5900 baht), Redmi 14C 5G, and am happily enjoying 100+ Mbps whilst out and about!

 

TC.

 

 

I see from where you are coming @CanadaSam But keep in mind that the OP has purchased a 99GB 20 day package, rather than a 10GB one. He anticipated two of those over a 40 day stay, so that's 198GB over 40 days.

That means that 25GB GoMo SIM is also no good. You'd be looking at the 110GB for 699 baht or 150GB for 999 baht. Not that attractive anymore.

Hence the base SIM for 99 baht with the 15Mbps add-on. I wasn't sure if VAT was included, but added it just in case. It being less being simply a bonus.

Yes, just nonsense advertising 5G for those MiFi, as most of them weren't even capable of 5GHz WiFi, so couldn't even claim they meant it in that way. They aren't even capable of 4G+.

 

Cloudflare nonsense makes it a total pain to post here...

 

Thanks guys for your help and guidance. 

I just wanted to update the thread by saying the AIS sim came this afternoon, and I've now got it up and running. 

 

The main point to mention is yes, it is much faster. 

Both my True sims are still hovering around the 1Mbps mark, whether in my phone, or in the router. 

Meanwhile the AIS seems to be around 5 or 6, depending on phone or router, position of router in the condo, and band on the router. 

 

Plenty of tweaking to do to try and get the optimal performance, but a notable difference to True. Thank you again for all the help. 

 

I went with the AIS One Sim as recommended earlier, thanks Jake, and it came with 2GB 7 days at 5G speed. 

I've used nearly half already doing various speed tests. 

 

While in the AIS app I looked through their addon packages, but couldn't see anything like what was quoted earlier. 

Yes I would need quite a few GB (iptv, streaming, calling home etc) but due to my equipment, speed isn't so necessary,. 

 

Where would I look to find alternative packages other than on the app? 

I could probably do with a 30 day, 80-100GB, 10Mbps package. Or thereabouts. 

 

 

 

 

@Johnlkuk Scroll up twelve posts. I've posted some package options there. The USSD codes to apply them are at the end of the description of each package. You top up the prequisite amount and then tap in every character shown, on your phone keyboard (with the SIM in the phone) and then press the Dial key. That applies the bundle. The USSD codes within the descriptions are for 'free' stuff and can be applied after you have applied the package. The package will autorenew the next month if there is enough credit. There are two options offering 100GB and one offering Unlimited 10 Mbps.