Dtac Edge Sim & Sierra Wireless Aircard Connection

[jonniebkk]

I have just purchased and activated a DTAC Sim card & their EDGE service to use as the Sim for a Sierra wireless aircard I am testing for internet access on my notebook.

Okay...I have a couple questions for anyone using the type of system. I managed to get the system settings (connection properties for the card) to get the Sierra unit and the Sim card to work. In fact, I am using it now for this post. I am getting a nice stable connection in Pattaya (220 Kbps).

However, I am only able to access sites that have a domestic Thai server (Thai Visa, Sanook.com, etc.) I cannot access any foreign sites. Is there some setting on the notebook/windows wireless connection that I need to tweak? Do I need to contact DTAC and authorize access to foreign sites?

Also, another question that I could get an answer from the DTAC salesgirl is related to cost/charges. I purchased an EDGE package for 100 hours for B 350. My question is when I am using the sim card for internet access...is it deducting time just from the 100 hours of EDGE time I purchased or is there like a double charge...for the internet time and "regular" sim card use?

Thanks for any advice.

[percy2]

I have just purchased and activated a DTAC Sim card & their EDGE service to use as the Sim for a Sierra wireless aircard I am testing for internet access on my notebook.

Okay...I have a couple questions for anyone using the type of system. I managed to get the system settings (connection properties for the card) to get the Sierra unit and the Sim card to work. In fact, I am using it now for this post. I am getting a nice stable connection in Pattaya (220 Kbps).

However, I am only able to access sites that have a domestic Thai server (Thai Visa, Sanook.com, etc.) I cannot access any foreign sites. Is there some setting on the notebook/windows wireless connection that I need to tweak? Do I need to contact DTAC and authorize access to foreign sites?

Also, another question that I could get an answer from the DTAC salesgirl is related to cost/charges. I purchased an EDGE package for 100 hours for B 350. My question is when I am using the sim card for internet access...is it deducting time just from the 100 hours of EDGE time I purchased or is there like a double charge...for the internet time and "regular" sim card use?

Thanks for any advice.

Not sure about your international website problems. Are you sure Thai Visa isn't hosted abroad? I don't know I haven't checked.

Which Aircard is it. I use the 777 with no problems.

So long as your not using it to dialup and are definately using GPRS/Edge its just deducting from your hours, your not actually making a call so no other charges.

Be aware be very aware that this charging scheme changes if you use international roaming. It's then horrifically expensive.

Note to self . take sim out of iPhone when travelling.

Cheers

[JonnieB]

Thanks Percy.

As to costs...I am definitely just using DTAC's GPRS/EDGE service so I guess only a single charge. I am just using this SIM card in Thailand on DTAC's network so I should not have to pay any roaming charges.

The Sierra Wireless card I am using is one loaned to me by a Canadian friend. It was bought in Canada (at about 1/3rd the cost of the ones sold locally) and was orginally programed to work on the Cingular wireless network in USA/Canada. (He said it was "unlocked" so that it would work with any wireless company's SIM.) It comes with a program called Cingular Communication Manager and I have installed this on the notebook. The software seems to work fine and tells me I am connected and gives me varioius info on my connection.

Various settings can be changed on the options for the Communication Manager software and also of course in the Windows network connection settings. Maybe there is something I need to do to get access to foreign sites.

Like I said, I have no problem accessing what I think are sites hosted in Thailand but sites like hotmail, yahoo, etc. just come up on my browser with the unable to load error message

[Gary A]

I use AIS EDGE and pay 500 baht for 250 hours. There is no additional charge except if I make a phone call it then uses the regular rate from my prepaid credit. I'm sure D-Tac works the same way.

I once bought a card for use with a phone line modem. It only worked for Thai domestic service. I wondered at the time why it was so cheap. You may have somehow gotten the wrong service. I'd call D-Tac and ask them what is going on.

[JonnieB]

I am pretty sure I have the correct SIM card. Actually, I think you can use the regular SIM cards..you just have to call to the service center to activate the EDGE service, for which they then detuct the amount from the SIM card then and there. I activated the EDGE card at the DTAC counter (not reseller). I bought a package of 100 hours of EDGE service for B 350.

The card is a Sierra Wireless model 775.

[Gary A]

I am pretty sure I have the correct SIM card. Actually, I think you can use the regular SIM cards..you just have to call to the service center to activate the EDGE service, for which they then detuct the amount from the SIM card then and there. I activated the EDGE card at the DTAC counter (not reseller). I bought a package of 100 hours of EDGE service for B 350.

The card is a Sierra Wireless model 775.

No doubt you have the correct SIM card. It's just that they have a ton of different programs and services. I think they do that just to keep you confused.

[jonniebkk]

I think I may have solved the problem. I updated the driver for the Sierra Wireless card using the Windows device manager settings.

It seems that I can now get international sites too..though don't know what a driver update would have to do with that...seems more like a network setting than the device itself.

Anyway, the speed is great (as good as most ADSL speeds I would get at any cafe) and connection seems pretty solid. Plus, I'm now wireless anywhere (almost) in Thailand that I and my notebook happen to be

Also, at the Sierra Wireless site itself, they seemed to have some software updates for the model 775 so I downloaded and installed them and the whole system went haywire!!! So I uninstalled them and just went with the card driver update and that works fine.

[lomatopo]

Not sure how much the aircard costs? You could just use a mobile phone. Many have GPRS modems, for ~ 4,000 THB you can get a decent phone with EDGE. My phone puts EDGE sessions on hold for voice/text activity. 220 kilo-bits per second seems high, that's nearly the maximum, without accounting for overhead; I average 80 kbps on GPRS and 150 kbps on EDGE, definitely usable esp. when there is nothing else. I do find it painful however when compared to my DSL. AFAIK, DTAC does not have EDGE widely deployed, at last look only ~ 300 base stations, in the larger cities. AIS/One-2-Call have EDGE on 100% of their base-stations. With GPRS/EDGE you are on an internal, private network so subject to the vagaries of said network.

[jonniebkk]

I know DTAC's GPRS/EDGE network is limited to the major cities and resort areas of Thailand...but that is mainly where I usually find myself.

As to speed, here in East Pattaya I am getting 154 Kpbs down and 42 Kpbs uploads at the moment. Good enough for basic surfing and audio news (BBC, NRP) streaming.

Edited February 19, 2008 by jonniebkk

[jokerdr]

Hey I am glad you got it working!

If and when they (AIS/DTAC) upgrade to HDSPA I have a couple of those cards as well and the allows up to 3.6mbps (7.2 mbps on the 2nd gen) but even if it gave a solid 1m/down and 512/up that would be plenty to be making VOIP calls home!

How does it work at the house?

I know DTAC's GPRS/EDGE network is limited to the major cities and resort areas of Thailand...but that is mainly where I usually find myself.

As to speed, here in East Pattaya I am getting 154 Kpbs down and 42 Kpbs uploads at the moment. Good enough for basic surfing and audio news (BBC, NRP) streaming.

[croftrobin]

You can buy a USB Modem here locally that will take a SIM Card - it offers class 12 Edge/GPRS - so up to 236 Kbps. - Its only around 4200 Baht - cheaper than an aircard and you will not find any Edge phones that offer this speed for under 6000.

The Sierra Cards are way way overpriced.

Dtac has Edge nationwide now more or less but tends to average out at lower speeds than AIS but again depends upon location.

I use both Dtac and Ais when away from home and although slightly slower find the DTAC service more reliable in general than the AIS.

Not sure how much the aircard costs? You could just use a mobile phone. Many have GPRS modems, for ~ 4,000 THB you can get a decent phone with EDGE. My phone puts EDGE sessions on hold for voice/text activity. 220 kilo-bits per second seems high, that's nearly the maximum, without accounting for overhead; I average 80 kbps on GPRS and 150 kbps on EDGE, definitely usable esp. when there is nothing else. I do find it painful however when compared to my DSL. AFAIK, DTAC does not have EDGE widely deployed, at last look only ~ 300 base stations, in the larger cities. AIS/One-2-Call have EDGE on 100% of their base-stations. With GPRS/EDGE you are on an internal, private network so subject to the vagaries of said network.

[chanman]

You can buy a USB Modem here locally that will take a SIM Card - it offers class 12 Edge/GPRS - so up to 236 Kbps. - Its only around 4200 Baht - cheaper than an aircard and you will not find any Edge phones that offer this speed for under 6000.

The Sierra Cards are way way overpriced.

Dtac has Edge nationwide now more or less but tends to average out at lower speeds than AIS but again depends upon location.

I use both Dtac and Ais when away from home and although slightly slower find the DTAC service more reliable in general than the AIS.

What model name is this price i've seen the solomon but its 6900 baht

[monty]

You can buy a USB Modem here locally that will take a SIM Card - it offers class 12 Edge/GPRS - so up to 236 Kbps. - Its only around 4200 Baht - cheaper than an aircard and you will not find any Edge phones that offer this speed for under 6000.

The Sierra Cards are way way overpriced.

Dtac has Edge nationwide now more or less but tends to average out at lower speeds than AIS but again depends upon location.

I use both Dtac and Ais when away from home and although slightly slower find the DTAC service more reliable in general than the AIS.

What model name is this price i've seen the solomon but its 6900 baht

There's some Chinese brands on the market now, cheaper the the Solomon's. Forgot the name though, although in TukCom Pattaya quite a few shops stocked them.

The Sierra cards are indeed expensive, but they are proven quality and used by a very high percentage of the mobile internet carriers worldwide! I tried a Sony Ericsson aircard once, and although cheaper, it was also an unusable piece of crap which I couldn't get to work properly!

[croftrobin]

You can see the spec and small pic on www.advice.co.th look at the price list and then sub cat. - modems and you will see the Edge modem priced at 3800

You can buy a USB Modem here locally that will take a SIM Card - it offers class 12 Edge/GPRS - so up to 236 Kbps. - Its only around 4200 Baht - cheaper than an aircard and you will not find any Edge phones that offer this speed for under 6000.

The Sierra Cards are way way overpriced.

Dtac has Edge nationwide now more or less but tends to average out at lower speeds than AIS but again depends upon location.

I use both Dtac and Ais when away from home and although slightly slower find the DTAC service more reliable in general than the AIS.

What model name is this price i've seen the solomon but its 6900 baht

[Gary A]

Here is why I paid 10,850 baht for my Nokia E51;

GPRS - Class 32

HSCSD - Yes

EDGE - Class 32

3G - HSDPA, 3.6 Mbps

WLAN - Wi-Fi 802.11g, VoIP over WLAN

Bluetooth - Yes, v2.0 with A2DP

Infrared port - Yes

USB - Yes, v2.0 microUSB

Several years ago I bought Solomon modem. I paid 9,500 baht for it. It was NOT EDGE capable. I decided then that there would be no air cards for me. My E51 works great and I am quite happy with it. It is also a great phone in addition to being ready for new technology that is not available right now. If I get a phone call while using it online, it just stops the EDGE and after the call, it automatically switches back to GPRS EDGE.

Why pay about the same price for a GPRS modem?

[Gerry290]

That Nokia E51 it has VOIP on it?

So say in Pattaya as that is where I am, on the Nokia E51 does VOIP work well, for example meaning or can access Skype or similar (assume GPRS is on to do this?) and can make low cost skype calls international from the Nokia E51?

What is the quality like?

any other way you can use VOIP on that Nokia E51

Thanks

Gerry

[Gary A]

That Nokia E51 it has VOIP on it?

So say in Pattaya as that is where I am, on the Nokia E51 does VOIP work well, for example meaning or can access Skype or similar (assume GPRS is on to do this?) and can make low cost skype calls international from the Nokia E51?

What is the quality like?

any other way you can use VOIP on that Nokia E51

Thanks

Gerry

I can't answer that question. I have not tried it. I bought it mainly because my Nokia N80 was acting strange while using AIS EDGE. The WiFi and EDGE connection work great.

[monty]

That Nokia E51 it has VOIP on it?

So say in Pattaya as that is where I am, on the Nokia E51 does VOIP work well, for example meaning or can access Skype or similar (assume GPRS is on to do this?) and can make low cost skype calls international from the Nokia E51?

What is the quality like?

any other way you can use VOIP on that Nokia E51

Thanks

Gerry

The VOIP won't work properly on GPRS, I have installed skype on my HP PDA (EDGE capable), and while the reception is reasonably good, the party on the other side can't really hear you properly since the upload on EDGE is just too slow!.

It works perfectly though if you are in a wifi area with proper internet access!

Quite e few people (mainly frequent travelers / business people) at my resort use those PDA's and Nokia's with VOIP capability over the wifi we have!

[joka]

AIS EDGE is available nationwide? How long has this been available, and do you have to get it activated? I've been using AIS GPRS, and have only seen EDGE speeds in Pattaya.

[Gary A]

AIS EDGE is available nationwide? How long has this been available, and do you have to get it activated? I've been using AIS GPRS, and have only seen EDGE speeds in Pattaya.

Supposedly it has nationwide coverage now. There is no need to sign up. I think it is a fairly recent thing because I just discovered it by accident.

[Khutan]

The Sierra Wireless card I am using is one loaned to me by a Canadian friend. It was bought in Canada (at about 1/3rd the cost of the ones sold locally)

I would suggest you upgrade the firmware on the card. You can download it from the Sierra Wireless Website.

[JASON THAI]

I brought a Soloman Edge modem last week (6900 baht) it has been working fine here in Pattaya and also in the village I stay in Korat (non Sung) speed is good I use it with a DTAC sim card paid about 400 baht and get 100 hours they do a package for 999 baht for unlimited use, I am looking at moving to Hutch and will be visiting there shop next to Tuk Com later today to see if this will work out in the sticks or not as this is faster than Edge

[jonniebkk]

Hutch uses a different cellular technology than AIS and DTAC. AIS and DTAC are GSM systems and Hutch is CDMA. I have no info on speeds or coverage of Hutch's network. If you find out anything interesting, let us know.

[dgarmaise]

This thread has been inactive for a while, but I have a related question. I purchased a Sierra Wireless Compass 885 Braadband USB Modem. I opened an account with DTAC. I installed the modem successfully on my iMac and my MacBookPro, and I am able to browse the Internet, though the speeds are not the greatest. I have an email account with gmail. I usually use Apple Mail to download and upload my email. When I am connected with Sierra, I cannot send or receive email with Apple Mail. I am sure it is just a matter of changing some settings, but which ones? So far, DTAC has not been able to help. I installed the Sierra on my old PC and it works fine, including for sending email from my email program. Can anyone help? (I realize that I can manage my email on the gmail website, if I have to, but I'd rather be able to use Apple Mail.)

Hutch uses a different cellular technology than AIS and DTAC. AIS and DTAC are GSM systems and Hutch is CDMA. I have no info on speeds or coverage of Hutch's network. If you find out anything interesting, let us know.

[RAZZELL]

This thread has been inactive for a while, but I have a related question. I purchased a Sierra Wireless Compass 885 Braadband USB Modem. I opened an account with DTAC. I installed the modem successfully on my iMac and my MacBookPro, and I am able to browse the Internet, though the speeds are not the greatest. I have an email account with gmail. I usually use Apple Mail to download and upload my email. When I am connected with Sierra, I cannot send or receive email with Apple Mail. I am sure it is just a matter of changing some settings, but which ones? So far, DTAC has not been able to help. I installed the Sierra on my old PC and it works fine, including for sending email from my email program. Can anyone help? (I realize that I can manage my email on the gmail website, if I have to, but I'd rather be able to use Apple Mail.)

How do you find the usb modem with a Mac?

RAZZ