What Should I Use :dtac Or Ais

[rotalla]

I have just been in Thailand and I plan to stay for a while.

I want to use postpaid service::: Any suggestion ???

Which one is better and why ? Thank you

[siamesekitty]

็ำHere are the websites to keep you occupied while I type out the rest of my answer:

AIS (GSM Advance) : http://www.gsmadvance.com Call center : 1175

DTAC : http://www.dtac.co.th/eng/package/compare.html Call center : 1678

True Move : http://www.truemove.com/eng/product_package.htm Call center : 1331

Edited January 7, 2008 by siamesekitty

[siamesekitty]

As for network quality, AIS is usually considered the best. However, in recent years DTAC and True have caught up rather quickly, and in some areas I've noticed that DTAC is actually better.

If you're planning on staying upcountry or on the islands, AIS is usually the most reliable option. (Though in recent years I've hardly had any issue with DTAC reception)

I'm usually pro-DTAC because I like their promotions and their flexibility (you can switch around rather easily), and overall seem to be "nicer" than AIS. However their latest move in doing away with all previous promotions and replacing them with this "free" promotion has pissed me off a bit.

As for service, I've found both AIS and DTAC call centers to be rather good, with English-speaking operators (if you press the button for English option). TRUE call center (and sometimes shop staff) is TERRIBLE!

Pls feel free to post questions if you have any specific concerns

Edited January 7, 2008 by siamesekitty

[opalhort]

I want to use postpaid service::: Any suggestion ???

Doesn't postpaid service require some sort of registration in Thailand (WP, long-term visa etc.)?

Prepaid is no problem even on a 30 days entry stamp.

opalhort

[Firefoxx]

As kitty says, AIS is the bigger network, with normally better coverage and larger user base. DTAC and True play catch up and so tend to offer better "promotions" to draw customers. True is the newest, and probably the least appealing, but has the best deals. I use AIS and travel a lot within the country, and so far I've yet to find a place that doesn't have coverage.

Postpaid requires some kind of residence for them to send the bill to, so you'll need some kind of proof of that. Prepaid is easy to get, but of course if you use it heavily you might find the top-ups tedious.

[Florin]

As also stated above, DTAC is great overall, AIS might be better if in a non-urban neck of the woods, but whatever you do, DON'T get TRUE!!

They have HORRIBLE customer service, little to none English-language documentation and pitfalls like a 800-Baht initial monthly credit limit which you need to show them your bank passbook to increase! Awful, awful company at every level...

[Thanh-BKK]

Hello

The best one (really!) has been left out AGAIN.

Depending where the OP intends to stay (Bangkok? Central Thailand? Up-country?) there is an alternative to the three main networks, one which i've been using for very long time now (4 years) and which has NEVER let me down - HUTCH.

It being a CDMA network means it requires a different type of phone, but as OP wants post-paid Hutch is the only provider giving away free (yes, FREE) phones or ones that are considerably cheaper than full price if one signs up for a one-year plan. Upon renewing that plan (the promotion that was chosen initially runs indefinitely but after one year a new promotion can be chosen, even if it is the SAME one just signing for another year gets you another free or cheaper phone).

Downsides:

- Still spotty in certain up-country areas, but they're working on it - better than TRUE anyway.

- Not as big a selection of phones as for the GSM networks.

- Phones work ONLY on Hutch! (and CAT too, but not on any GSM network here or overseas).

- Up-country where Hutch-users "roam" on CAT no data services (WAP, Internet), just voice and SMS.

Upsides:

- Crystal clear voice - best call quality of all Thai networks (and yes, i DID test them all).

- Hasn't dropped me a single call in four years.

- CDMA technology means it is impossible to eavesdrop - nobody is listening in, GUARANTEED. May be important for some.

- If on Hutch network, high data speeds - phone can be used as modem, up to 153 kb/s and that actually WORKS.

- Cool plans - i'm on "Super Extra 1.299" which costs 1.299 Baht + VAT (roughly 1.500 real, incl. some SMS) and i get 2.600 minutes - which are impossible for me to use up, i could rent the phone out! Calls country-wide, any network. Additional minutes at 25 Satang.

- Call credits are awarded if you pay the bill on time - i have 9.000 Baht credit, only once been overdue for a few days (usually i pay the bill the day it arrives, but that time i was in Chiang Mai and couldn't get the bill and had nothing for 7-Eleven to scan).

- English language support! Yes, it's back - press 9 and they actually DO speak english.

- Health reason - CDMA phones emit effective max. power of 0.25 Watts as opposed to max. 2.0 watts for GSM phones. Important for people with pacemakers or other medical equipment.

- Lower frequency band - 800 MHz as opposed to 900, 1.800 or even 1.900 for GSM means the signal penetrates further - elevators, basements etc.

So far i am on the 4th Hutch phone that i actually use (plus i have two more that i keep just as backup phones) and all of them have been rock-solid quality - Sanyo 550 (free on first signup, price then 6.900 Baht), Sanyo 588 (1.490 Baht instead of 5.900 after one year), Kyocera KZ 890 (free instead of 3.990 Baht after another year), Samsung S179 (6.900 Baht, paid full because i WANTED that one!) and now Samsung F679 (2.990 Baht instead of 7.990 for another year signup), plus a Nokia 1205 "imported" from Indonesia to verify that overseas CDMA phones DO work on Hutch.

I would only recommend Hutch to good friends. So give it a try Yeah, to get post-paid they ask for a work permit. Bring along a Thai friend and have it in his/her name (need Thai ID card plus a copy of the "house register"), plus YOUR address/name for the billing - no problem. You can pay the bill at any 7-Eleven too, alternative (of course) at Hutch shops or the post office as well as most banks and ATM's.

(And no, i do NOT work for Hutch nor do they give me a t-shirt for writing this!!)

Best regards.....

Thanh, a happy Hutch user

[siamesekitty]

Ah.. Hutch.. http://www.hutch.co.th/index_en.htm

Didn't really forget them, just figured the OP would be traveling up North, down South, wherever a bit at least and reception coverage seems spotty nationwide. Also didn't realize the support they had for English-speaking customers.

(But I suppose much more than True! )

Edited January 7, 2008 by siamesekitty

[Thanh-BKK]

Hello again

Thanks for reply. I have no idea about "down south" but since i just spent two weeks "up north" i can say that, particular OUTSIDE the city (Chiang Mai) i had full coverage on Hutch (well CAT via roaming) where my boyfriend's AIS and my backup D-TAC where struggling to hang on to a signal. Only at the hot springs at San Kampaeng i had no coverage where both AIS and D-TAC did

Also during a number of visa runs to Cambodia (Poipet/Aranyaprathet) i had coverage all the way (Hutch, no roaming) and to Ban Laem only the last 5 kilometers to the border were dead - no roaming also. But then there i had no AIS either, but D-TAC and, surprisingly, TRUE worked fine (and my Cambodian Mobitel, of course). On a later run AIS was covered but still no Hutch - maybe that area is covered by now, haven't been there for 9 months or so.

I don't carry all of my phones with me all the time, but when i go to some new area i usually have a D-TAC, a TRUE, a AIS and a Hutch with me. I used to bring an analogue D-TAC too (AMPS 800) but that's pointless - the network still has wide coverage but they don't offer new subscriptions anymore. You see, i love to test out the networks here, i have also used the now quasi-defunct DPC 1800 (gobbled up by AIS). The only one i never used is Suthep 1900 ("Thai Mobile") because i know it only covers greater Bangkok and even that just spotty, elsewhere it roams on AIS.

Best regards.....

Thanh

[grtaylor]

I want to use postpaid service::: Any suggestion ???

Doesn't postpaid service require some sort of registration in Thailand (WP, long-term visa etc.)?

Prepaid is no problem even on a 30 days entry stamp.

opalhort

Yes, when I got a new AIS post-paid account last year, I had to produce my work permit. I had a photocopy of it with me, along my passport, but that was not good enough - I had to go back again with my actual WP!

G

[Phil Conners]

AIS was (is?) a Taksin company .... nuff said.

[siamesekitty]

AIS was (is?) a Taksin company .... nuff said.

I like DTAC

[Plus]

AIS has more users and their networks is often more congested in urban areas. They had a couple of blackouts in downtown Bangkok that even got in the news.

[bubu]

I am using true move since two weeks and I really wish to hold my number.

How can I refill my card so that I can use it again in half year or one year?