Connecting To Internet Via A Mobile Phone

[intumult]

Help!! Please

O.K. I have searched the forum for over an hour about internet connection via mobile phones and I am now confused to a degree.

What I really need is an idiots guide to connecting to the internet via a mobile phone and my computer. ( I cannot have Lox info or other forms of connection in my apartment ).

Also I would need the system to work in Central Thailand and in BKK if possible. Maybe in other places too like Pattaya as I roam about with my laptop that has Vista installed. The tower runs XP.

I understand ........

A - I need a mobile phone

B - I need a computer (have a tower system and a laptop [with wi-fi] )

C - I need AIS or True sim card etc.

I want to be able to surf the net, use ThaiVisa, Chat on Yahoo messenger and do e-mails. I do not really want big downloads (maybe the odd upgrade for anti-virus etc.)

What I do need is an idiots guide as to ....

1 - What sort of phone (WAP? Bluetooth? Edge?) [not know what Edge is] ( I have looked at the N70 and N3110 and prefer Nokias - also these phones do not seem overly expensive ).

2 - When I have got a phone how do I connect it to the computer (do I need special cables, software etc. ?)

3 - How do I activate the internet

4 - I prefer PAYG phones (cannot get a contract - no WP) so are 1-2-Call as good as any?

5 - What sort of cost am I looking at for using the internet up to 120 hours a month via the mobile?

6 - Any other vital information this novice might need to understand.

Thanks for any really helpful and simple advice

[monty]

Edge is an advanced version of gprs, or with other words a faster system of delivering internet through the gsm network. Theoretical topspeed is 238 kbps, but this is seldom reached. On a good day over 150 kbps can be gotten, on a bad day you can expect dial-up speeds. If in your area Edge is not available, the system will automatically revert to the slower gprs standard, with speeds of up to 48 kbps, but average more like 25 kbps (=slow )

GPRS is available pretty much nationwide, Edge mainly in bigger cities.

If your phone currently is not Edge capable, my best advice would be to buy either an Edge aircard (Sierra Wireless 775, PCMCIA card) or an Edge USB modem (Solomon)

I find this personally preferable over using your mobile phone for internet access since you won't have issues with phone battery running out, internet being interrupted by phonecalls etc...

Since you also have a desktop PC, the USB modem would be preferable, I think they are currently around 7000 BAht.

With an AIS simcard, 120 hours of internet costs 350 Baht (+7% vat). No contract needed, you can subscribe by calling 1175 and explain your needs to the excellent English speaking representatives. Prepaid one2call card is ok, no contracts, just need to make sure enough credit is present when the package gets renewed everytime

It works OK for a bit of surfing, definitely OK for chat etc. VOIP (Skype etc) will not work properly.

Dtac simcards charge 1 Baht/minute for internet access, or you can take every week an unlimited package for I think around 240 Baht. Works out quite a bit more expensive compared to AIS.

I find the Dtac network to be a bit more stable speedwise, but slightly less coverage ( it'll revert to the slow gprs in more places then AIS)

[Crushdepth]

Idiot's guide to configuring your phone/computer for gprs/edge. This is quite old so the coverage and package details are now outdated.

If you use a phone as a gprs/edge modem, you will need to connect it to your computer by bluetooth, infrared or a cable. The first two options are more fiddly to set up but much more convenient in the long run.

[colino]

I dont know that much but if you buy say a nokia N70 just brought the wife 1 , 7600baht load the nokia suite cd onto your pc and connect your phone by usb cable (all supplied with the phone) then you can connect to the internet through the phone i think that using the phone could be expensive

but i am sure that there are guys on here that will help you more than i can , good luck

Edited September 18, 2007 by colino

[intumult]

Thanks you three for taking the trouble to answer

[intumult]

Edge is an advanced version of gprs, or with other words a faster system of delivering internet through the gsm network. Theoretical topspeed is 238 kbps, but this is seldom reached. On a good day over 150 kbps can be gotten, on a bad day you can expect dial-up speeds. If in your area Edge is not available, the system will automatically revert to the slower gprs standard, with speeds of up to 48 kbps, but average more like 25 kbps (=slow )

GPRS is available pretty much nationwide, Edge mainly in bigger cities.

If your phone currently is not Edge capable, my best advice would be to buy either an Edge aircard (Sierra Wireless 775, PCMCIA card) or an Edge USB modem (Solomon)

I find this personally preferable over using your mobile phone for internet access since you won't have issues with phone battery running out, internet being interrupted by phonecalls etc...

Since you also have a desktop PC, the USB modem would be preferable, I think they are currently around 7000 BAht.

With an AIS simcard, 120 hours of internet costs 350 Baht (+7% vat). No contract needed, you can subscribe by calling 1175 and explain your needs to the excellent English speaking representatives. Prepaid one2call card is ok, no contracts, just need to make sure enough credit is present when the package gets renewed everytime

It works OK for a bit of surfing, definitely OK for chat etc. VOIP (Skype etc) will not work properly.

Dtac simcards charge 1 Baht/minute for internet access, or you can take every week an unlimited package for I think around 240 Baht. Works out quite a bit more expensive compared to AIS.

I find the Dtac network to be a bit more stable speedwise, but slightly less coverage ( it'll revert to the slow gprs in more places then AIS)

A couple of points.....

As I see it, the Solomon Modem is in place of the mobile phone and acts as rx/tx. Is there a particular reason for recomending the Solomon? Quality/Reliability or whatever?

The Modem plugs in via the USB, has its own antenna so no other is needed ?

Plug a sim card in and set it up and that is it?

BTW... thanks for taking the trouble and time to give the information.

[monty]

Just consider the solomon device to be an external modem!

Yep, it has it's own antenna, no other antenna needed. It's standard USB, so you can attach it to a 2 meter USB cable to put it up where you have the best signal strength (usefull upcountry sometimes).

Install the drivers from the cd included with the solomon, then plug the modem in one of the usb ports and all the rest happens automatically.

Yep, just put in a simcard, and you can connect to the internet.

As I mentioned before, I prefer these dedicated internet devices because they don't require a battery ( the battery of a phone can run out pretty quick using gprs when you don't have it attached to it's charger!).

Also, on your phone you're likely to get phonecalls, which causes your internet to drop out, even incoming sms's tend to mess up the internet connection.

If you have a dedicated modem, you keep the number secret and use the sim solely for internet purposes!

If however you already have an edge capable phone, you can save yourself a bundle by using it instead of buying one of those modems.

And I have had some serious headaches trying to get phones recognized by the computer to act as a modem! Especially Nokia's and their iffy PCsuite software...

The easiest one was a Samsung, instantly recognized by the PC as a modem, no cd or drivers needed, and it charges of the usb cable as well...

[naka]

It's all very simple, I use my spare phone Nokia N73 and I use 1 2 Call sim card.

Load Nokia PC Suite software (comes free with phone) onto your computer.

Connect phone to computer using the USB cable (also comes with the phone).

Run Nokia PC Suite on the computer and click on "Connect to the Internet".

Viola.

It's very cheap to use and if your usage is heavy get a GPRS/EDGE package from 1 2 Call

as this brings down the cost/minute substantially. Most modern (decent) phones have GPRS/EDGE as standard.

N70 certainly does.

Last time I checked GPRS packages were

3 hrs 30 Baht/Month

6 hrs 50

20 hrs 100

100 hrs 350

Etc. so not all that expensive, don't buy too much time though as unused time is non-refundable.

Naka.

[Tywais]

As I mentioned before, I prefer these dedicated internet devices because they don't require a battery ( the battery of a phone can run out pretty quick using gprs when you don't have it attached to it's charger!).

Just a brief comment on this. It depends on the phone and in my case the k790i. When it is plugged into a USB port it continues to charge the phone. I often have a connection running for 12+ hours and the phone battery is still topped.

Also, my PC Suite has a network setup wizard which steps you through the connection process. Takes about 30 seconds and you are up and running.

[patrickq]

Im in Pattaya, using AIS/1-2-CALL at moment, Nokia 3110 Classic, bluetooth connection to MAC laptop. Got prepay card from a Telewiz shop, they were helpful and set up the card with 250 hrs/mth for 500 Bt, which has been plenty for my use. Only problem is the service verges on diabolical, unless you're just doing the occasional email.

I have been attempting to download a file of 4.8 MB for last couple of hours, but keep getting disconnected from internet, which is a server problem, as I still have an EDGE connection showing. It is now downloading at 45 bytes/sec, which indicates 1 day 7 hours still remaining!!! Very occasionally the speed reaches double figures, say 11 KB/sec, but usually runs at 1 or 2 KB/sec.

I suggest you look at HUTCH/CAT which appear to offer a genuinely fast mobile internet connection, before going down the EDGE route. I haven't got the info to hand, but there are some useful posts on this board about it, the speeds are fantastic by comparison, but you need to check a few things ... I don't think you can yet roam your internet connection between HUTCH and CAT, they have carved up the coverage areas by province, so you may register with CAT in Bangkok, but be unable to use in Pattaya/Chonburi, I think they will be sorting it out though ... HUTCH have been slow on the uptake with rolling out the fastest version, so you need to check that you'll be getting the fastest in your area ... HUTCH charge 999Bt per month for unlimited use, you have to buy a modem from them for about 4,500 Bt, best to get USB one probably.

[LivinLOS]

Depending on your region look into the CAT CDMA route.. Much better speeds for data transfers.

[intumult]

Thanks for people taking their time on this.

As I have said, I am not into downloading anything bigger than anti-virus updates etc. and would be more than happy to be able to use it on my laptop also so I can keep in touch with friends and chat at times on yahoo.

Monty, the modem idea does seem a good way to go. Being relegated at times to dial up speeds can be frustrating at times but for my purposes I do not see that as a major problem.

Later when area coverage has been sorted and the whole 3G and Edge situation has been sorted out a bit better then I would consider upgrading.

Seems to me that the cost of buying a good mobile phone for the job is about the same as buying a dedicated unit and as I have a basic mobile phone suitable for my socialising needs the modem would suit me adequately. The modem and other methods are ways I would not have thought of initially and - though cheaper than using Lox Info, if slower on average and no fixed contract, make it a viable proposition.

There is also the possibility I could use the service outside of Thailand in the same way I can arrange to use my mobile on the short trips back to the U.K. (something I will have to look into).

With DTAC I have used their SIM cards before and found the coverage to be less than adequate with many failed calls and loss of signal outside of some main towns - even as little as 10 kilometres from town. So their reliability would be in question for me personally.

Looks like I will be surfing from the apartment and beyond as soon as I get back and get set up. Beats using an internet cafe

edit hotel?? Brain lag again today LOL

Edited September 19, 2007 by intumult