Best Mobile Carrier For Iphone?

[kudroz]

I'm waiting on my iPhone that I ordered on the US Apple website and had

re-shiped to Thailand by a friend. I was wondering which is the best

carrier for the iPhone (for me)?

- Best EDGE coverage in Phuket

- Best rate for unlimitted EDGE data transfers

- Low drop calls and good quality in general

- Best rate for voice calls

Also, should I go with the pre-paid or post-paid? What are the

requirements to go on the post-paid plans? Do they require a work

permit or just a Non-Imm visa would suffice? (can put my wife's name.

but she has no employment, would that work?)

Any input would be appreciated.

[trt]

I'm waiting on my iPhone that I ordered on the US Apple website and had

re-shiped to Thailand by a friend. I was wondering which is the best

carrier for the iPhone (for me)?

- Best EDGE coverage in Phuket

- Best rate for unlimitted EDGE data transfers

- Low drop calls and good quality in general

- Best rate for voice calls

Also, should I go with the pre-paid or post-paid? What are the

requirements to go on the post-paid plans? Do they require a work

permit or just a Non-Imm visa would suffice? (can put my wife's name.

but she has no employment, would that work?)

Any input would be appreciated.

You will be able to use your iPhone on a Thai network? I thought they were all restricted to a particular network.. AT&T or whatever it is...

[kudroz]

It is now possible to unlock the phone using software available online which allows you to use any sim card.

[nikster]

yes, beware though - I followed all the instructions on how to do it with anySIM, and it ended up not working.

The instructions that did work for me were here though the website seems to be down at the moment:

http://www.theiphoneunlock.com/free-unlock-manual-english/

Main difference is they use an application called Unlock.app which works. Unlike anySIM.app which looks much prettier but sadly didn't work on my iPhone.

As for plans, etc - I use AIS with a 20h internet package for BHT 100/month on a prepaid card. In reality, you really don't want to use EDGE all that much because it's very, very slow. The iPhone will happily and quickly connect to any WiFi hotspot nearby and that's the much preferred option. I can't really imagine being on EDGE network for more than that, it's too slow for anything but email. And the iPhone can't be used as modem, sadly.

I found AIS marginally better than DTAC in terms of availability but YMMV here. The AIS towers around my village have backup power systems that last at least 6 hours in a power outage whereas DTAC goes down as soon as the power is out. Since power outages are pretty frequent in the rainy season, AIS ends up being a lot better for that reason alone.

[trt]

It is now possible to unlock the phone using software available online which allows you to use any sim card.

Yes I thought that was pretty obvious but risky given that Apple is not that stupid...

September 25, 2007 - 10:00AM

Apple has warned iPhone owners who have used unauthorised programs to unlock the cellular service feature of their handsets that they may end up with a phone that doesn't work after the company's next software update for it.

Since the iPhone debuted in June, hackers have posted a number of methods online to make it possible to use the iPhone on cellular networks other than AT&T, which is the exclusive official carrier for the iPhone.

The news will come as a blow to scores of Australian iPhone enthusiasts who have brought the $US399 phones out to Australia and hacked them so that they can work on local mobile networks.

Apple executives say they have discovered that many of those unauthorised unlocking programs cause some software damage to iPhones.

Now, a software update that Apple plans to issue later this week that will add features such as accessibility to the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store may end up making the touch-screen mobile phone completely inoperable if it has been hacked into.

"This has nothing to do with proactively disabling a phone that is unlocked or hacked," Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, said in an interview.

"It's unfortunate that some of these programs have caused damage to the iPhone software, but Apple cannot be responsible for ... those consequences."

[Florin]

Can't say much about Phuket (only used DTAC's EDGE in the Laguna & Patong areas there), but DTAC has consistently offered me excellent service for 4+ years...in terms of customer service they're unbeatable and at least in Bangkok their EDGE coverage is much better than AIS or TRUE's (they've had it in place for much longer, AIS especially only recently added EDGE to their network)

Price-wise, i'm on a plan that obligates me to pay at least 1000/month and includes calls @ 2.5 Baht/call between midnight and 5PM...you should just go to a shop for the most recent promotions, since they're always changing (and there are many different addon data packages).

Recently, TRUE has been offering quite cheap data plans and their EDGE network (in Bangkok at least) is quite decent...but I don't think they're as competitive in terms of voice plans and their customer service & website well and truly sucks. DTAC even offers 50 free SMS/month to other DTAC numbers from their web interface, quite handy if you like sending messages from your PC.

[dekka007]

unlimited ais EDGE 999 baht per month package.

[Abrak]

I would strongly recommend you taking your iphone to mbk to get it unlocked rather than doing it yourself. Two reasons for this: first, they are literally doing dozens a day so it will be quick, simple cheap and efficient. Secondly, there are a whole host of third party apps that are well worth installing and they will install them for you. For instance 'sendsongs' enables you to set any song in your itunes as your ringtone and, in addition, you can email any song to anyone - pretty neat.

As for EDGE I dont think there is much to choose between DTAC and AIS. Both have unlimited service for Bt999 a month.

Incidentally if you are getting one of the 'cheaper' iphones (US$399) dont forget to buy an additional dock for charging - as it doesnt come with one and you will need it.

[DaffyDuck]

Incidentally if you are getting one of the 'cheaper' iphones (US$399) dont forget to buy an additional dock for charging - as it doesnt come with one and you will need it.

Or, be smart and buy the refurbished iPhone from the Apple Online Store, which costs $349 (in the US) and comes with a charger *and* the dock, for less than the $399 of a new iPhone.

[nikster]

Incidentally if you are getting one of the 'cheaper' iphones (US$399) dont forget to buy an additional dock for charging - as it doesnt come with one and you will need it.

Or, be smart and buy the refurbished iPhone from the Apple Online Store, which costs $349 (in the US) and comes with a charger *and* the dock, for less than the $399 of a new iPhone.

How about getting the old 4GB model for $299? Mine also came with the dock

Questions for iPhone experts: How do I tell the iPhone to stop using EDGE? It always displays the 'E' in the status bar but I think it means EDGE is available rather than in use - or does it constantly keep an EDGE connection? Which would be bad with my 20h plan...

[stumonster]

for iTards to relock their phones before any update

http://www.tuaw.com/2007/09/24/how-to-relo...irmware-update/

but unless your are a dyed in the wool nerd , you might want to get MBK to do it