Gprs/edge Actual Speeds Available In Bangkok

[junkofdavid2]

Can't seem to find an old thread.

1) How fast (in reality) are the download/upload speeds of the different providers of (non-Wifi mobile) internet in Bkk?

2) How much does it cost?

3) What is the coverage in Bangkok?

The wifi in my apartment keeps getting slower and slower, and keeps getting cut off every couple of seconds. Before, it was stable and had a consistent speed of almost 400 kbps and 65 kbps, and now, it's like 100 and 15... and it still keeps on getting cut off every few seconds. For a strange reason, my apartment doesn't deal directly with True... but deals with True through some other private company. I'm not a techie and I dunno how it works, but I think that company gave good service in the beginning during some sort of trial period, and then started giving us less and less bandwidth?

Anyway, to make a long story short, at such slow speeds of 100kbps download and 15 kbps upload, maybe it's better if I go GPRS? Might be the same plus I'd have the added benefit of being completely mobile with my laptop?

Edited November 11, 2007 by junkofdavid2

[absolutelyBangkok]

You're lucky to get 100kbps download in Thailand with GPRS.

Depending on the time of day you can get over that, but don't count on it!

You may also give Hutch a try, they assure you they are faster, but again: Don't count on it, test it first.

[monty]

On average Edge will not be faster then the 100/15 you are getting now. Speed is extremely variable...

Also latency (ping times) is worse over Edge compared to ADSL, and data gets delivered in chunks.

What you get is a small burst at 200+kbps, then nothing, another burst and so on. No problem for surfing, but this makes it utterly useless for voip and for streaming audio. Even 33 kbps audio comes in broken, not because of too slow speeds, but because the data arrives in chunks...

Hutch is not faster, but more stable. I have had decent skype conversations on Hutch, with speeds not over 80 kbps, but steady data streams...

You do have a small chance to be in a Hutch area where they have upgraded to the EV-DO system. In that case you need a different aircard (the Sierra Wireless 580) but you can expect speeds of 400-600kbps down and 40-80 kbps upload. Around 1000 Baht/month unlimited, but workpermit or Thai name needed to subscribe! Only difference then with ADSL is latency. It can take a second from hitting enterbefore something starts happening. No big problem for surfing/downloading, but don't expect VOIP to be very good.

[Digitalbanana]

2) How much does it cost?

Just saw an advert from DTAC offering a GPRS/Edge air card for PC card slot that sells at 11000baht and includes the first 12 months service unlimited free.