Cdma Without Work Permit?

[exlka]

I live in Phuket and have a 1 year o non immigrant visa and a rental agreement, but no work permit. I've read a couple of threads about CDMA and i always found that i would need a WP to get CAT Cdma service. Is there a way around this or are there any alternatives ?

My ToT DSL is just not reliable enough and i definately need a backup. I would be willing to pay in advance for 6 months or even a year for a decent connection.

[nikster]

I live in Phuket and have a 1 year o non immigrant visa and a rental agreement, but no work permit. I've read a couple of threads about CDMA and i always found that i would need a WP to get CAT Cdma service. Is there a way around this or are there any alternatives ?

My ToT DSL is just not reliable enough and i definately need a backup. I would be willing to pay in advance for 6 months or even a year for a decent connection.

Hmm... didn't need a work permit. I don't have one. Perhaps try a different office.

If nothing else works just get a Thai friend to sign up for you. The contract is harmless because you can cancel it at any time, so there's no risk for whoever enters into it. If you disappear to your home country they can cancel the contract with no penalties.

[HDRIDER]

Hi

You dont need WP, i have 2 CDMA account and no WP, if you want good service go to the office in Patong, ask for Kob

[Gary A]

Maybe off topic a little but I have ordered a new Motorola Q EV-DO phone. Even though CAT told me there is service in my area, (Loei), I'm not sure. Ny wife has told me that even if there is service, CAT may refuse service to me because I didn't buy the phone from them.

Did I buy a phone that I won't be able to use?

[dave_boo]

Maybe off topic a little but I have ordered a new Motorola Q EV-DO phone. Even though CAT told me there is service in my area, (Loei), I'm not sure. Ny wife has told me that even if there is service, CAT may refuse service to me because I didn't buy the phone from them.

Did I buy a phone that I won't be able to use?

Did you make sure it was unlocked upon purchase? If it is, or you are able to get it unlocked, just get a really cheap backup phone with the SIM card in it. Swap sim cards (unlike those asshats in the States, AFAIK it doesn't lock your phone number to the IMEI) and keep the secondary phone, which will just be CDMA 1x (about as fast as EDGE) in case something catastrophic should happen to your Motorola.

I've read conflicting items on the Motorola Q supporting DUN (Dial Up Networking), but I found this post that supposedly has a *.cab to get your bluetooth to support it. Of course I can not vouch for the safety of using that file.

[Gary A]

Maybe off topic a little but I have ordered a new Motorola Q EV-DO phone. Even though CAT told me there is service in my area, (Loei), I'm not sure. Ny wife has told me that even if there is service, CAT may refuse service to me because I didn't buy the phone from them.

Did I buy a phone that I won't be able to use?

Did you make sure it was unlocked upon purchase? If it is, or you are able to get it unlocked, just get a really cheap backup phone with the SIM card in it. Swap sim cards (unlike those asshats in the States, AFAIK it doesn't lock your phone number to the IMEI) and keep the secondary phone, which will just be CDMA 1x (about as fast as EDGE) in case something catastrophic should happen to your Motorola.

I've read conflicting items on the Motorola Q supporting DUN (Dial Up Networking), but I found this post that supposedly has a *.cab to get your bluetooth to support it. Of course I can not vouch for the safety of using that file.

The phone is new and has never been locked to any carrier. It is identical to the one shown on the CAT web site except it doesn't have the Thai G software. Specifications appear to be identical.

http://www.catcdma.com/product/hendset.htm#

[dave_boo]

The phone is new and has never been locked to any carrier. It is identical to the one shown on the CAT web site except it doesn't have the Thai G software. Specifications appear to be identical.

http://www.catcdma.com/product/hendset.htm#

Don't want to sound negative, but using a phone without Thai script really is a drag if someone calls and it displays a bunch of boxes instead of the name of the person that's calling. Best you can do is after the call add them as a contract with an english name.

[Gary A]

The phone is new and has never been locked to any carrier. It is identical to the one shown on the CAT web site except it doesn't have the Thai G software. Specifications appear to be identical.

http://www.catcdma.com/product/hendset.htm#

Don't want to sound negative, but using a phone without Thai script really is a drag if someone calls and it displays a bunch of boxes instead of the name of the person that's calling. Best you can do is after the call add them as a contract with an english name.

The only reason I bought the phone is for the Internet. I do know that the phone can take the power supply from the USB Data cable. I intend to just plug it in and forget it IF I am able to get the service. I would be VERY happy if I am able to get EV-DO. I did see CAT drivers and an application form on their web page but unfortunately they are in Thai. I was able to download the Moto Q English users manual off the CAT web site. In the worst case, I should be able to use CDMA. The phone does have an EV-DO symbol if the service is available.

[dave_boo]

GaryA,

Why would you drop that much on a phone if you're just going to use the phone for the intra-web? Or am I misunderstanding and it is not always going to be tethered as a modem and you're going to use the email and browser on the Motorola Q while you're out and about?

I hate continuing to be the bearer of bad news, but did you also see that the Motorola Q only supports rev.0? Rev.A has lower latencies and better upload; I guess your online first person shooters may be affected, but for general downloading/web browsing you should be ok with rev.0.

[Gary A]

I suffered with TOT and Loxinfo Shitstar for nearly four years. Edge has been a GREAT improvement but is still quite pathetic. I would do anything and pay nearly any amount for a decent Internet connection. Whether this will be better on not, I have no idea. I use AIS for talking on the telephone and 300 baht per month is more than I need. My wife uses up the balance of the 300 baht that I don't use.

[dave_boo]

I suffered with TOT and Loxinfo Shitstar for nearly four years. Edge has been a GREAT improvement but is still quite pathetic. I would do anything and pay nearly any amount for a decent Internet connection. Whether this will be better on not, I have no idea. I use AIS for talking on the telephone and 300 baht per month is more than I need. My wife uses up the balance of the 300 baht that I don't use.

I hope that you find what you're looking.

[Gary A]

I suffered with TOT and Loxinfo Shitstar for nearly four years. Edge has been a GREAT improvement but is still quite pathetic. I would do anything and pay nearly any amount for a decent Internet connection. Whether this will be better on not, I have no idea. I use AIS for talking on the telephone and 300 baht per month is more than I need. My wife uses up the balance of the 300 baht that I don't use.

I hope that you find what you're looking.

I'll let you know if I have any luck using the phone. I'm rather partial to my Nokia E51 and will likely continue using the Nokia when away from the house but one never knows. I may like CDMA and the Qwerty keypad.

[dave_boo]

I suffered with TOT and Loxinfo Shitstar for nearly four years. Edge has been a GREAT improvement but is still quite pathetic. I would do anything and pay nearly any amount for a decent Internet connection. Whether this will be better on not, I have no idea. I use AIS for talking on the telephone and 300 baht per month is more than I need. My wife uses up the balance of the 300 baht that I don't use.

I hope that you find what you're looking.

I'll let you know if I have any luck using the phone. I'm rather partial to my Nokia E51 and will likely continue using the Nokia when away from the house but one never knows. I may like CDMA and the Qwerty keypad.

I wonder if someone that currently uses CAT/Hutch for the phone usage can chime in and tell what type of connection fees are charged to call the AIS/DTAC numbers.

[Thanh-BKK]

Hi

I'm on Hutch "Super Extra 1499" which, as the name says, costs 1,499 Baht + VAT per month, and i have 2,600 minutes of air time to use within Thailand, regardless to which network. Any additional minute (again regardless into which network) will be charged at 25 Satang, one SMS is 1 Baht. No data usage included but if you sign up for it there are different promotions for that ("MBI" - Mobile Broadband Internet), including one that costs 999 Baht per month (i assume + VAT as always) for unlimited, EV-DO or 1x. My phone is a Samsung F679 which is "only" 1x (153 kb/s) so i could not use EV-DO, but then i got ADSL and don't need it.

Both voice and data ("MBI") are also available pre-paid, so you will DEFINITELY not need a work permit. For a post-paid you will need one (at least in Bangkok) or a thai friend to make the contract, you can have the bill send to your address though.

Regarding phones from overseas, make sure the phone is set up to use R-UIM cards ("SIM") as most CDMA carriers in other countries do NOT use them! Also it must support CDMA in 800 MHz which, in Thailand, both CAT and Hutch use. CAT phones work on Hutch and vice-versa, CDMA phones in Thailand are not locked.

Also be aware that, when you are Hutch subscriber, you can roam on CAT in areas where Hutch has no coverage, but you will NOT be able to use data! Same goes for CAT subscribers who will have to roam on Hutch in the central provinces - no data! So to have voice AND data in the whole country you'll need a SIM from each provider.

Best regards......

Thanh

[dave_boo]

Hi

I'm on Hutch "Super Extra 1499" which, as the name says, costs 1,499 Baht + VAT per month, and i have 2,600 minutes of air time to use within Thailand, regardless to which network. Any additional minute (again regardless into which network) will be charged at 25 Satang, one SMS is 1 Baht. No data usage included but if you sign up for it there are different promotions for that ("MBI" - Mobile Broadband Internet), including one that costs 999 Baht per month (i assume + VAT as always) for unlimited, EV-DO or 1x. My phone is a Samsung F679 which is "only" 1x (153 kb/s) so i could not use EV-DO, but then i got ADSL and don't need it.

Both voice and data ("MBI") are also available pre-paid, so you will DEFINITELY not need a work permit. For a post-paid you will need one (at least in Bangkok) or a thai friend to make the contract, you can have the bill send to your address though.

Regarding phones from overseas, make sure the phone is set up to use R-UIM cards ("SIM") as most CDMA carriers in other countries do NOT use them! Also it must support CDMA in 800 MHz which, in Thailand, both CAT and Hutch use. CAT phones work on Hutch and vice-versa, CDMA phones in Thailand are not locked.

Also be aware that, when you are Hutch subscriber, you can roam on CAT in areas where Hutch has no coverage, but you will NOT be able to use data! Same goes for CAT subscribers who will have to roam on Hutch in the central provinces - no data! So to have voice AND data in the whole country you'll need a SIM from each provider.

Best regards......

Thanh

Thanks for setting the record straight Thanh. I was surprised that Hutch allows EV-DO; I thought that was solely from CAT.

Oh, and Verizon does not use 'sim' cards, but Sprint does for those Americans that want to use their phones in Thailand. However, for some reason I think that the company can use the IMEI to allow your phone to work on their network, but don't quote me on it.

[monty]

AFAIK Hutch does not have EV-DO.

They trialled it in limited area's, included it on their website as "soon to come", and then suddenly took it of again.

Looks like they decided against doing a full roll out of EV-DO.

Anyway, go to their site and hover you cursor over MBI (mobile broadband internet) and it'll only show 1X...

And what idiot at Hutch is doing SEO? The Hutch.co.th doesn't show on the first 4 pages when googling "Hutch Thailand"!!!

[anthos]

Regarding the MotoQ

I use the CAT MotoQ for nearly a year now

Firstly the Motoq distributed by CAT has no SIM (RUIM) card, but other phones they sell have (samsung, huawei etc)

Make sure you order the same model from overseas. They will need to register the MotoQ in their network manually in a CAT office (I guess the number being attributed to the phone using the phone's unique serial number)

So far the eperience has been fine except one case when the MotoQ locked with a boot bios error. I googled it and it seems to be a common problem for MotoQs. CAT replaced the phone free of charged, took about 2-3 weeks to deliver a new one from Bangkok to Samui.

I didn't use the phone as a modem too often, whenever I did the speeds were ok as advertised - from 300 to 800 kbit download, 60-120 kbit upload.

However the connection sometimes seems to break after some 15-20 min of inactivity and I have to reconnect

Never had this problem on a regular (non EVDO) CDMA phone. Still have to figure out why is that happening.

And yes, no data roaming in Bangkok, even non EVDO. Truly, it's a shame! The CAT network is minimum 2 years old already.

[Thanh-BKK]

Hi

Yeah i am aware of Hutch's website no longer mentioning EV-DO, however marching into a Hutch shop (at least in MBK and Central Bangna) you can still buy EV-DO modems (USB type) and sign up for it

Hutch's marketing department appears to be on permanent holiday (or transferred to inactive posts??) as they never advertise ANY of their good stuff. You have tpo physically waltz into a shop and get to talk to someone higher (manager or at least a real technician) to get info on services which they have but won't tell you... and forget about the sales girls, they don't even know what functions their phones have! (and in case YOU been mis-informed, too - the Samsung F679 DOES mp3 ringtones and also plays mp3 through the speaker just fine, you do NOT need the headset! And the micro-SD is also NOT restricted to 512 MB, i got a 2 GB in mine and it works just fine. Oh, and the FM radio starts at 76 MHz, in Germany you can catch the police radios with that, xixixi).

Also, with the data roaming, it is no more than a bloody shame. Hutch and CAT are essentially the same company... CAT owns Hutch or the other way around or whatever, anyway same firm, and yet they still run two entirely separate networks where in Bangkok (and other central provinces) you get "Hutch only" and outside that area you get "CAT only". While they allow to use each other's network for voice, they still block data roaming. Stupidity in motion, or, how do they call that?

Yeah, T.i.T.

Best regards......

Thanh

PS if any Hutch-employee is reading: Give me a call, i'll do some volunteer advertising for you to get the points across, IF you fix my stupid voice mail again! You got my number, there's only one Thanh who keeps sending you e-mails about the same problem since 4 years.

[dave_boo]

Regarding the MotoQ

I use the CAT MotoQ for nearly a year now

Firstly the Motoq distributed by CAT has no SIM (RUIM) card, but other phones they sell have (samsung, huawei etc)

Make sure you order the same model from overseas. They will need to register the MotoQ in their network manually in a CAT office (I guess the number being attributed to the phone using the phone's unique serial number)

So far the eperience has been fine except one case when the MotoQ locked with a boot bios error. I googled it and it seems to be a common problem for MotoQs. CAT replaced the phone free of charged, took about 2-3 weeks to deliver a new one from Bangkok to Samui.

I didn't use the phone as a modem too often, whenever I did the speeds were ok as advertised - from 300 to 800 kbit download, 60-120 kbit upload.

However the connection sometimes seems to break after some 15-20 min of inactivity and I have to reconnect

Never had this problem on a regular (non EVDO) CDMA phone. Still have to figure out why is that happening.

And yes, no data roaming in Bangkok, even non EVDO. Truly, it's a shame! The CAT network is minimum 2 years old already.

Have you updated the phone's firmware? Depending on when it was produced, it could have a really old version on it.

only one Thanh who keeps sending you e-mails about the same problem since 4 years.

Trying to squeaky wheel the issue? Then again, perhaps they think that after four years of the same emails you're just a crazy loon.

[Thanh-BKK]

He

Nah, it's been a problem on-and-off - usually they telleme (over the phone) "we will fix it in the next few days" but it never happens - until it suddenly (and seemingly all by itself) works again, only to stop working again some time later. Right now, it APPEARS working (callers can actually leave a message, and i DO receive a notification that a message has been left! But the message is not there, i.e. i listen to an empty recording).

I gave up contacting them because it's simply useless.

But apart from that issue, i am completely happy with Hutch.

Best regards....

Thanh

[Gary A]

The last article I read was that CAT was bailing out of CDMA and that Hutch was going to take over the entire CDMA network. CAT is most likely afraid the Hutch will make a success of it and is reluctant to give them a chance. CAT has not made much of an attempt to market what is without a doubt the best system available.

[exlka]

So i went to the patong branch today and it turned out that my area (near heroines monument) doesn't have network coverage according to a technician on the phone...

I asked as well if i could get Hinet on my TOT line, but i was told that i have to ask tot for that info, which i found kinda odd.

Why wouldn't CAT actually TRY to sell me DSL ?

[HDRIDER]

HI

You should try the USB CDMA CCU 680, if it dont work you can get your money back, but only same day, go in the morning and return it same day before 15.00, i know a few people being told it dont work where they live, it did work, give it a try.

Ask for Kob in CAT office Patong.

[exlka]

thx a lot

I went to the CAT Office in Phuket Town. At first they said CDMA probably wouldn't work where i live. But as you said i took it home to test it (had until 2:30 pm to return) and it just works. My ToT DSL is struggling to get past 25 kbytes/s right now, while i download stuff via CDMA with around 100 kbytes/s, which is pretty impressiv.

Btw is it ok to download 30-40 GB per month via CDMA or will they kick me out for heavy use?

Edited October 29, 2008 by exlka

[dave_boo]

thx a lot

I went to the CAT Office in Phuket Town. At first they said CDMA probably wouldn't work where i live. But as you said i took it home to test it (had until 2:30 pm to return) and it just works. My ToT DSL is struggling to get past 25 kbytes/s right now, while i download stuff via CDMA with around 100 kbytes/s, which is pretty impressiv.

Btw is it ok to download 30-40 GB per month via CDMA or will they kick me out for heavy use?

It's ok. I haven't seen anything of that nature on any of the internet connections I've had. I've downloaded TV shows (tons and tons) and haven't noticed any slowdowns except during periods that normally have slowdowns due to increased demand.

[HDRIDER]

thx a lot

I went to the CAT Office in Phuket Town. At first they said CDMA probably wouldn't work where i live. But as you said i took it home to test it (had until 2:30 pm to return) and it just works. My ToT DSL is struggling to get past 25 kbytes/s right now, while i download stuff via CDMA with around 100 kbytes/s, which is pretty impressiv.

Btw is it ok to download 30-40 GB per month via CDMA or will they kick me out for heavy use?

Hi Glad i could help, they tell a lot of people it dont work, i dont know why, you can use it 24/7 no problem, i have it on all the time.

Did you get the 680 USB card??

[exlka]

yes i have the CCU-680 USB Modem for 11000 baht

Anyone know if there is a load balancing router for cdma and adsl ? Would be great if the router could combine the bandwith and switch between connections automatically if there is a downtime

[anthos]

yes i have the CCU-680 USB Modem for 11000 baht

Anyone know if there is a load balancing router for cdma and adsl ? Would be great if the router could combine the bandwith and switch between connections automatically if there is a downtime

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/CAT-CDMA-Loa...-I-t220231.html

[g00dgirl]

2+ years ago at Phuket town CAT office, they did not let me make a CAT CDMA contract with datacard in my name without work permit.

Yesterday in Phuket Central Festival CAT office, they had no problem at all to let me do a contract in my name without work permit.