Using Mobile Phone With Laptop For Internet Access

[Bobby_Davison]

Hi there, new member here!

I am coming to Thailand for 4 months in 2 weeks time . I will mainly be staying in the regions of either Phuket or Koh Samui.

Was hoping somebody could recommend a suitable tariff/package for using my mobile phone with my laptop for internet access in these areas for the 4 months I am here (nov 04 - March 05). Will mainly be checking e-mails (very little downloading) and visiting the odd website for probably no more than 30 mins a day (if that).

I have a GPRS mobile phone (non bluetooth) and a bluetooth laptop. Was expecting I would need a bluetooth phone too though maybe to work best?

I have been searching for info on this site but am still confused as to whether

Will I be able to get a package to go on the internet for this period of time?

Is coverage in these areas any good?

What tariffs/packages would be best and which companies?

Any help greatly appreciated!

[JimmyGreaves]

www.iroam.nl

[stumonster]

you do not need a bluetooth phone as you can connect your phone to the computer via cable or infrared. GPRS is the important requirement. Bluetooth just allows you the luxury of not needing to connect via cables or lining up your phone and infrared ports.

I have been using AIS prepaid sim card and accessing the internet via GPRS at 1 baht per minute, though reading some of the other replies it seems DTAC service is superior.

search this section of the forum and you will find many topics discussing GPRS.

[rmbrodie]

I have been happily using AIS’s 1-2-call, which is a pre-paid service available to everyone, without the need for a special visa or a work permit. GPRS airtime is only one baht per minute. I have used it successfully all over Thailand.

Currently 1-2-Call has two service plans (promotions):

- 3 baht/min for a voice call, but only 20 days usage per “refueling” card; or

- 5 baht/min for a voice call, but longer usage period.

You can switch between the two plans by dialing *777 (I think), and following the directions, which are available in English and Thai.

Please note, there is a Yahoo e-group specifically for this topic: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Thailand-WAP-GPRS

Hope this helps.