Problem With Dtac Sim Card And An Air Card Modem

[Siki]

I purchased an Option GT MAX 3.6 Express “air card” yesterday. It has an at&t logo on it and comes with Telstra Turbo Express Manager Software.

When I insert my 1-2 call sim card into the device, I can connect to the Internet with no problem.

However, when I try my Dtac sim card I get the following error message, “(628) The connection was terminated by the remote computer before it could be completed.” The recommended action is: “For further assistance, please ask your system administrator or refer to the operating system help.”

Does anyone of you knowledgeable people know what this means and what I should do?

Thanks

Aloha

Siki

[lopburi3]

You probably need to activate GPRS for your DTAC card.

1678 call 2 - 1 - automatic setup

or do on website www.happy.co.th/ota

[Gary A]

The new Dtac cards are already configured. My wife has an old card and it doesn't work. I bought a new Dtac card for 49 baht, called 1678 and bought an EDGE (GPRS) package. AIS 12 Call has a better automated system but it is a monthly deal. Anything you don't use during the month is lost and the new package is deducted from your SIM balance automatically. Dtac EDGE is more expensive but you don't lose the time at the end of the month.

[lopburi3]

I do not use so can't say it is not activated but I bought a DTAC Happy card for 199 baht last week and the instructions clearly say it must be activated as I posted above. There is no date on the package so it may be old stock from my local 7-11 but the number starts with 087 which I believe was only used by AIS previously.

[Siki]

Something is not quite right or complete. The web site, www.happy.co.th/ota does not exist. www.happy.co.th is up and running but I can’t find anything about GPRS activation.

I called the number that lopburi posted and ended up pushing number 7 the first time (for English). An excellent English speaker came on and knew nothing about GPRS activation nor could she find anything in her reference materials.

Next I called the number with the other sequence of numbers suggested. The Thai explanation was so fast that I could only understand the first sentence and a half of what was said. No luck with activation.

I will try at a Dtac service center on Monday.

Thanks for the info.

I guess my question would be, what is GPRS.

Aloha

Siki

[lopburi3]

It is an IP protocol for mobile phone use and is listed as what your card uses:

Designed to work in newer laptops with ExpressCard slots, the GT Max 3.6 Express is powered by AT&T’s 3G-enabled BroadbandConnect network. The GT Max 3.6 Express also can be used outside the U.S. in countries where 3G UMTS networks or GPRS/EDGE networks have been deployed.

[Gary A]

Something is not quite right or complete. The web site, www.happy.co.th/ota does not exist. www.happy.co.th is up and running but I can’t find anything about GPRS activation.

I called the number that lopburi posted and ended up pushing number 7 the first time (for English). An excellent English speaker came on and knew nothing about GPRS activation nor could she find anything in her reference materials.

Next I called the number with the other sequence of numbers suggested. The Thai explanation was so fast that I could only understand the first sentence and a half of what was said. No luck with activation.

I will try at a Dtac service center on Monday.

Thanks for the info.

I guess my question would be, what is GPRS.

Aloha

Siki

GPRS is the first pathetically slow GSM mobile Internet. The providers have now upgraded to EDGE and most of the country is covered by both AIS and Dtac. If you have the GPRS package and EDGE is available your phone will use EDGE. If EDGE is not available (doubtful) it will revert to standard GPRS.

When I call 1678, I always seem to get the same guy. He thinks his English is perfect, so he speaks VERY fast and I only catch a word or two. I just tell him I want the 100 hour package and he asks how much credit is on my card. I tell him and ask if everything is OK since I really can't understand what he is saying. It always works so no problems.

[monty]

Also just bought a new dtac simcard and it worked on GPRS straight away (at 1 Baht/minute I think).

Only weird thing, with Dtac you can end up into negative credit if you keep logged on a long time when having limited funds on your account!

I took the 1 week unlimited, and it ran without me noticing, so the system reverted to 1 Baht/minut.

Next log on wouldn't work, checked my credit and it stood at -162 Baht

At leat AIS just freezes when you run out of credit during an internet session...

[Gary A]

Also just bought a new dtac simcard and it worked on GPRS straight away (at 1 Baht/minute I think).

Only weird thing, with Dtac you can end up into negative credit if you keep logged on a long time when having limited funds on your account!

I took the 1 week unlimited, and it ran without me noticing, so the system reverted to 1 Baht/minut.

Next log on wouldn't work, checked my credit and it stood at -162 Baht

At leat AIS just freezes when you run out of credit during an internet session...

If you are using prepaid, how will Dtac get paid if you throw the 49 baht SIM card away?

My AIS package ran out and it gave me no warning. It ate up my SIM balance and then shut off. No negative balance.

[lopburi3]

They probably take the chance rather than cut off a customer in the middle of a banking transaction putting more credit into there account. Good customer relations.

[Siki]

A quick follow up to my attempts to use my dtac sim card with my new air card.

Went down to the dtac office on Ploenchit. They could confirm that the numbers on the sim card indicated that it was a newer card. But, it took them a while to convince me that they were not set up to help me get online using the card. The dtac office at the Paragon is set up to help with these kinds of concerns.

Down at the Paragon a very able tech got me set-up. There was nothing wrong with the sim card. The configuration of the software was the problem. I am now able to use either the AIS or Dtac sim cards.

I ended up with a Dtac dial up icon on my desktop. This fires up my Dtac card immediately.

For AIS I must go into the software and locate a list of all active signals in the area. This is much like the wi-fi software that I have seen. I then choose the AIS signal and then just wait for the connection to take place.

If you are considering an “air card” make sure that you make the vendor demonstrate that it will work with any kind of sim card(s) that you will be using. I had the shop show that my device worked by using an AIS card only. I assumed that I could simply swap the sim card with no other necessary steps.

It is my understanding that many of these devices are really plug and play. Check it out before you buy.

Aloha

Siki

[Gary A]

I use both Bluetooth and a cable to connect to my desktop. I really can't tell any difference in speed or phone battery life.

I have found that a Bluetooth dongle is really the easiest way to connect. I use IVT BlueSoleil software and a Billionton dongle. I use a Samsung and a Nokia, both EDGE capable. The software recognizes both phones and I have to make no changes to the computer or the phones. One phone uses AIS and the other Dtac.

[RBO]

For GPRS/EDGE on prepaid cards, there is no need to call the service center, just *104*9*# (English) or *104# (Thai) and press call. You will then have the option to select the GPRS/EDGE package and activate it...

HTH

[Gary A]

For GPRS/EDGE on prepaid cards, there is no need to call the service center, just *104*9*# (English) or *104# (Thai) and press call. You will then have the option to select the GPRS/EDGE package and activate it...

HTH

Thanks for that. It works for 1 and 7 day packages but has no option to buy the larger hours package. I buy the 100 hour package and have not found a way to do that except by talking to Dtac.

[webtv]

Hi.. Im interested in getting an aircard.. is it the same thing that Virgin have out in the UK? I guess all of the western countries have them now, but I have used the virgin one last year and it was great.

its a USB connection with a sim card on the end in a "box"?

I heard it was 10k to register / buy in Thailand and then 1000 baht per month, is this correct?

or is it per minute?

does it work on my phone number I have already? (one to call number)

any info and locations to purchase is much appreciated..

thank you.

[monty]

Two models are available, the "aircard", which you insert into a PCMCIA slot of a laptop, and a USB version, much as you describe above.

No registration needed, if you pop in your one2call simcard it will work directly, you'll get billed 1 Baht/minute for access.

Alternatively, call the call center (1175) and ask them what packages are available.

For example 50 hours/month costs you 214 Baht (200 +7% VAT).

Unlimited is indeed 999 Baht/month I think.

[webtv]

Two models are available, the "aircard", which you insert into a PCMCIA slot of a laptop, and a USB version, much as you describe above.

No registration needed, if you pop in your one2call simcard it will work directly, you'll get billed 1 Baht/minute for access.

Alternatively, call the call center (1175) and ask them what packages are available.

For example 50 hours/month costs you 214 Baht (200 +7% VAT).

Unlimited is indeed 999 Baht/month I think.

Thank you Monty.. much appreciated!