Anyone have current experience with the AIS on top package 1mbps unlimited data. Is this suitable for normal browsing and in particular google maps? 

I have just fitted an android head unit to the vehicles and it would be better to use my phone when travelling, currently it is voice only.

Before anyone suggests alternatives I am not interested in another sim card, looks like AIS options are 1mbps at 1800 baht/year, 4mbps at 2500 baht per year or 6mbps at 3500 baht per year.

I believe you can purchase those packages daily/weekly, so just try it for a few days and see for yourself.  Depends what you do.  I personally prefer the unlimted speed packages.

12 minutes ago, shdmn said:

I believe you can purchase those packages daily/weekly, so just try it for a few days and see for yourself.  Depends what you do.  I personally prefer the unlimted speed packages.

May well have to try that, but with a long journey coming up in a few days hoping for some feedback. A decision is still required on a short term option.

Unlimited speed options are not available.

There is a couple of hints how to minimize internet traffic with Google maps. AI sums it up.

As I don't have the problem, I searched for "google maps minimum bandwidth speed".

Might work with 1 Mbit/s.

And sometimes AIS will give more depending on current total load.

 

The first and surely very important hint: download offline maps when on WiFi/at home.

Just did a preview for my typical route from Khon Kaen down to east coast/Pattaya. A ca. 500*250 km rectangle would be about 700 MB.

21 minutes ago, KhunBENQ said:

There is a couple of hints how to minimize internet traffic with Google maps. AI sums it up.

As I don't have the problem, I searched for "google maps minimum bandwidth speed".

Might work with 1 Mbit/s.

And sometimes AIS will give more depending on current total load.

 

The first and surely very important hint: download offline maps when on WiFi/at home.

Just did a preview for my typical route from Khon Kaen down to east coast/Pattaya. A ca. 500*250 km rectangle would be about 700 MB.

Thanks for the info. I am aware of offline facility but doesn't seem to work, think the parking is on the perimeter of the wifi range, shows connected but no data available, tried both 2.4 and 5G.

I don't drive anymore and normally I use google maps on my phone using the hotspot from my wife's phone but have no idea what download speed would be with that arrangement. Now we have the android head units would be better to still use my phone to get it in English.

5 minutes ago, sandyf said:

normally I use google maps on my phone using the hotspot from my wife's phone but have no idea what download speed would be with that

Ookla Speedtest app would give you the theoretical maximum.

Depends on the data package that your wife has.

You don't have WiFi at home from a fixed line connection?

(for the download).

 

Never tried much with offline maps but a simple test with switching off internet shows route planning within the downloaded area works.

Fails outside as expected.

4 hours ago, sandyf said:

Thanks for the info. I am aware of offline facility but doesn't seem to work, think the parking is on the perimeter of the wifi range, shows connected but no data available, tried both 2.4 and 5G.

I don't drive anymore and normally I use google maps on my phone using the hotspot from my wife's phone but have no idea what download speed would be with that arrangement. Now we have the android head units would be better to still use my phone to get it in English.

 

I think I had such a plan on an old Windows Phone some time back. A bit laggy for Maps.

AIS has a Gadget SIM that supplies 2Mbps for 12 months for 1500 baht. So I would use 2Mbps as a minimum figure and so therefore go for the 4Mbps annual package.

AIS often send out promos, but they might not be universal. For example, the latest is a 30 day package of 5GB of 5G full speed data and then 50GB of 15Mbps, for 220 baht per month. *788*4636#

It's an existing offer, so no reason why they cannot apply it for you.

 

Another offer for current customers is a 30 day package of 25GB of 5G full speed data and then unlimited 10Mbps for 280 baht. *788*4326#

 

If you like either of those packages, then what I would do if I were you, as a longstanding customer, is to call their Call Centre on 1175 and ask them to put you on it, as it's available to existing customers. I got a friend to do that a while back, on pain of leaving and they put them on an unlimited 10Mbps plan for 200 baht per month.

That won't be available now, but they will have option for long term customers pretending thinking of moving to a rival network.

For example: Currently all networks are offering unlimited 10 Mbps 30 day packages for 481.50. Tell them you aren't interested in paying 1177 baht as an existing user, so you are thinking of porting your number to TRUE to get that offer. That might secure you unlimited 10Mbps for 481.50, if that is a package that interests you.

 

Three examples. Take your pick and go for it, if any of them look good to you.

Call centre only. A shop or service centre aren't likely to help in that way. They'll just offer you unattractive packages.

 

But firstly, buy a day package to test. 24 hours of 10 Mbps is 59 baht. *777*7386#

48 hours 102 baht *777*7387#

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4 hours ago, KhunBENQ said:

You don't have WiFi at home from a fixed line connection?

(for the download).

 

Never tried much with offline maps but a simple test with switching off internet shows route planning within the downloaded area works.

Fails outside as expected.

 

I don't think he can drive the vehicle into the house 😊

5 hours ago, KhunBENQ said:

Ookla Speedtest app would give you the theoretical maximum.

Depends on the data package that your wife has.

Cheers. Have managed a short term work around, acquired a redundant data sim that has about 3 weeks left on it. Tried it out and looks good for the journey north on Sunday.

Bit of breathing space for a longer term solution.

Thanks for the efforts. 

1 hour ago, BatteringRam said:

 

I think I had such a plan on an old Windows Phone some time back. A bit laggy for Maps.

AIS has a Gadget SIM that supplies 2Mbps for 12 months for 1500 baht. So I would use 2Mbps as a minimum figure and so therefore go for the 4Mbps annual package.

AIS often send out promos, but they might not be universal. For example, the latest is a 30 day package of 5GB of 5G full speed data and then 50GB of 15Mbps, for 220 baht per month. *788*4636#

It's an existing offer, so no reason why they cannot apply it for you.

 

Another offer for current customers is a 30 day package of 25GB of 5G full speed data and then unlimited 10Mbps for 280 baht. *788*4326#

 

If you like either of those packages, then what I would do if I were you, as a longstanding customer, is to call their Call Centre on 1175 and ask them to put you on it, as it's available to existing customers. I got a friend to do that a while back, on pain of leaving and they put them on an unlimited 10Mbps plan for 200 baht per month.

That won't be available now, but they will have option for long term customers pretending thinking of moving to a rival network.

For example: Currently all networks are offering unlimited 10 Mbps 30 day packages for 481.50. Tell them you aren't interested in paying 1177 baht as an existing user, so you are thinking of porting your number to TRUE to get that offer. That might secure you unlimited 10Mbps for 481.50, if that is a package that interests you.

 

Three examples. Take your pick and go for it, if any of them look good to you.

Call centre only. A shop or service centre aren't likely to help in that way. They'll just offer you unattractive packages.

 

But firstly, buy a day package to test. 24 hours of 10 Mbps is 59 baht. *777*7386#

48 hours 102 baht *777*7387#

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for the info,  I was  favouring the 4mbps add on. I don't really want another sim or monthly payments but will do a short term trial.

With the sim I have acquired I should be able to check data used and get a some idea.

19 minutes ago, sandyf said:

Thanks for the info,  I was  favouring the 4mbps add on. I don't really want another sim or monthly payments but will do a short term trial.

With the sim I have acquired I should be able to check data used and get a some idea.

 

Monthly payments aren't necessary with 30 day packages, as you can just top up for months in advance. Just in case you need more than 4Mbps/6Mbps, those are just some options open to you without needing to get a new SIM.

4Mbps is okay for general surfing. Though downloading large files, for example the 700MB offline maps download mentioned earlier, would take in excess of 23 minutes. 6Mbps, 15 to 16 minutes. With a 1 Mbps connection, four times as long as 4Mbps, at more than an hour an a half. 

Easy to work out how long for 10Mbps and 15Mbps. 

If you can get more bandwidth for the same money, it's worthy of consideration.