Access Internet Using Mobile Telephone

[haroldc]

I'm in Bangkok, but the room I'm staying in doesn't have a telephone. I've heard that I can buy some kind of modem that plugs into a notebook PC and connect to the Internet using the mobile phone system. Two questions: 1) where can I buy a modem like this and what does it cost? 2) which mobile operator provides this service and what does it cost? Thank you for your help,

[dave_boo]

There's all sorts of usb modems. Also, if you have a usb->phone cable, you can set up your operating system to use the cell phone as a modem. Any decent electronic shop will have the usb modem or you can make the trip to MBK or Pantip and buy one.

I used AIS before for the connection; an all you can eat plan is ~1000 THB per month. There are other cheaper plans that you can purchase however. Of note is that the carriers, with the exception of True (and perhaps only for their Iphone plans), charge by the minute not by the kb.

[H2oDunc]

Hi I got an air card modem, some on TV classified, and use the EDGE mobile network through AIS 1-2 call. I use it for when I am out and about or when the broadband goes down. Good download speeds and I get 30 hours for 100 baht. Top using cards from the 7/11 Bargain.

[antony77]

I'm in Bangkok, but the room I'm staying in doesn't have a telephone. I've heard that I can buy some kind of modem that plugs into a notebook PC and connect to the Internet using the mobile phone system. Two questions: 1) where can I buy a modem like this and what does it cost? 2) which mobile operator provides this service and what does it cost? Thank you for your help,

You can but a second hand mobile phone that has GPRS and also a USB cable. Then buy AIS internet sim card with 30 hrs for BT99. You can use this system anywhere in Thailand

[SkyRunner09]

Most probably, you already have the modem in your phone. Can also connect that by bluetooth if you dont own a cable. Downside: On my Nokia 5310, some incoming calls come through, others do not (and the "missed call SMS" can take 2 hours to arrive).

BTW: Is it only me guys, or does 1-2-Call not send out any notification SMS once your package has been used up and puts you on the 1 baht per minute plan right away?

[Jockstar]

If you have a Nokia phone. Then get Nokia Software suite(FREE) and just connect your phone to the PC by cable or bluetooth. DTAC charge a standard 1baht a minute. Its good enough if you are just doing email and stuff.

[paulfr]

You need a mobile with GPRS/EDGE and Bluetooth.

Then you can connect without cables and you can buy GPRS time

for as little as 50baht for 300 minutes or if you want unlimited

time for 1000baht/month.

Naturally your computer must be Bluetooth enabled or you can buy

a Bluetooth/USB dongle for 200baht.

I forget the dialing code which is something like *99# .

I use this method for backup for my ADSL connection when it is down

or terribly slow.

Edited May 3, 2009 by paulfr

[Jockstar]

You need a mobile with GPRS/EDGE and Bluetooth.

Then you can connect without cables and you can buy GPRS time

for as little as 50baht for 300 minutes or if you want unlimited

time for 1000baht/month.

Naturally your computer must be Bluetooth enabled or you can buy

a Bluetooth/USB dongle for 200baht.

I forget the dialing code which is something like *99# .

I use this method for backup for my ADSL connection when it is down

or terribly slow.

True. But if you already have the cable. You will find its slightly faster.

[naboo]

Options:

Buy an aircard (about 6000-12000 Baht for a decent one) then get a sim card, stick it in, load with credit and away you go.

Use a mobile phone, connected via bluetooth or a cable (cable slightly faster). With this method, you need GPRS/EDGE on the phone. Add a GPRS/EGDE packet to your current telephone package and away you go.

Be warned, if your Aircard or mobile doesn't have EGDE capability (many phones don't), your connection will be very slow. 3G would be best, so if you are buying new equipment, find something with 3G connection as at some point in the future, Thailand will catch up with the world and offer 3G coverage all over the country, giving you much faster speeds.

I pay DTAC 399B/month for 140 hours. AIS do 500Baht for 250 hours, both companies do cheaper packages and the unlimited at 100B a month. An friend told me AIS is less reliable, though I haven't tried it myself. DTAC connection is generally reliable, but not particularly fast even with the highest speed EDGE available. Bring on 3G!

[haroldc]

I truly appreciate all your comments and information. I have only one remaining question. When I look on the DTAC and AIS websites, they describe their Internet service as NN hours for XXX baht. But then I see something about call charges too, like 1.25 or 1.5 baht per minute, etc.

Does this mean that if I use the Internet for one hour, in addition to the cost of the Internet service, I also have to pay a mobile telephone charge of 1.25 or 1.5 baht per minute? That would mean 75-90 baht per hour in calling charges plus the hourly Internet service charge.

If someone could clarify this final point for me, I think I will have all the information I need.