New Iphone 3gs Brisk Thai Sales Expected

[george]

New iPhone 3GS brisk Thai sales expected

iPhone 3GS expected to be hot item

BANGKOK: -- True Move expects sales of the new iPhone 3G model - the iPhone 3GS - will exceed 50,000 units by the end of the year.

Papon Ratanachaikanont, assistant to the president and CEO as well as being deputy group chief commercial officer of True Corp, yesterday said sales of the new gear were expected to be higher than those of the current 3G model, of which True Move had sold all 50,000 allocated units as of last month.

The iPhone 3G made its debut in January.

He added that US maker Apple had allocated only around 50,000 iPhone 3Gs for True Move, which is the exclusive authorised cellular-service provider of iPhone 3G devices in Thailand.

He claimed the Thai market had showed the highest sales for the model within the region.

Reservations for the new iPhone 3GS model can be made from tomorrow through to August 24 at www.truemove.com.

Customers are required to pay a deposit of Bt2,000 and they can specify the True Shop where they want to receive their handsets. They can pick up their iPhone 3GS devices from August 28 to September 3.

The 16-gigabyte 3GS phone costs Bt24,500, while the 32GB model is offered for Bt28,500. Papon said these were subsidised prices.

True Move offers monthly installment packages for the phones exclusively for existing subscribers of the True business group.

Papon said True Move had to require a deposit in order to provide Apple with the precise number of mobile-phone users committed to paying for the iPhone 3GS. This should make Apple allocate an appropriate volume of the new model for True Move, should there be high demand.

He said Apple had allocated only about 1,000 units for True Move in the first batch.

The TrueMove launch of iPhone 3G devices is aimed at fostering the company's brand image and increasing its number of post-paid subscribers.

Papon said that initially most of the subscribers for the existing iPhone 3G model had been prepaid users, before later switching to the post-paid option.

Meanwhile, True Move has launched its 3G wireless broadband service on a trial basis, using its existing 1,800MHz spectrum.

The service is available in downtown Bangkok, including the Silom, Siam Square, Sathorn, Ploenchit and Sukhumvit areas, as well as at Suvarnabhumi Airport and in Cha-am, Hua Hin and Phuket.

-- The Nation 2009-08-04

[clokwise]

Meanwhile, True Move has launched its 3G wireless broadband service on a trial basis, using its existing 1,800MHz spectrum.

The service is available in downtown Bangkok, including the Silom, Siam Square, Sathorn, Ploenchit and Sukhumvit areas, as well as at Suvarnabhumi Airport and in Cha-am, Hua Hin and Phuket.

Maybe a stupid question, but is the True 3G package worthwhile if I live in Chiang Mai (and rarely get into BKK)? I see AIS promoting 3G all over the place in CM now, so can I buy the iphone and sign up with AIS 3G instead? Besides that, I'm already with AIS so I suppose I could keep the same mobile #, right?

And what about True WiFi? I see that promoted here in CM, but have never bothered to check it out. Does AIS have a comparable WiFi service?

Either way, I'm getting the 3Gs!!

[stumonster]

Meanwhile, True Move has launched its 3G wireless broadband service on a trial basis, using its existing 1,800MHz spectrum.

The service is available in downtown Bangkok, including the Silom, Siam Square, Sathorn, Ploenchit and Sukhumvit areas, as well as at Suvarnabhumi Airport and in Cha-am, Hua Hin and Phuket.

any more news on this ? HSDPA or HSUPA ? price etc ?

far more interesting than fashion accessory marketing smeg

[nikster]

Meanwhile, True Move has launched its 3G wireless broadband service on a trial basis, using its existing 1,800MHz spectrum.

The service is available in downtown Bangkok, including the Silom, Siam Square, Sathorn, Ploenchit and Sukhumvit areas, as well as at Suvarnabhumi Airport and in Cha-am, Hua Hin and Phuket.

Maybe a stupid question, but is the True 3G package worthwhile if I live in Chiang Mai (and rarely get into BKK)? I see AIS promoting 3G all over the place in CM now, so can I buy the iphone and sign up with AIS 3G instead? Besides that, I'm already with AIS so I suppose I could keep the same mobile #, right?

And what about True WiFi? I see that promoted here in CM, but have never bothered to check it out. Does AIS have a comparable WiFi service?

Either way, I'm getting the 3Gs!!

I am getting it too.

Forget about AIS 3G though, their 3G is running at 900MHz, iPhone only supports 3G at more standard frequencies, as below:

UMTS/HSDPA (850, 1900, 2100 MHz)

GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)

True has way too bad a reception up here to consider it, I'll keep my AIS SIM until there is a real country-wide 3G in place. Which will probably take years. Meanwhile, we'll just use EDGE and WiFi.

Edited August 5, 2009 by nikster

[nikster]

Meanwhile, True Move has launched its 3G wireless broadband service on a trial basis, using its existing 1,800MHz spectrum.

The service is available in downtown Bangkok, including the Silom, Siam Square, Sathorn, Ploenchit and Sukhumvit areas, as well as at Suvarnabhumi Airport and in Cha-am, Hua Hin and Phuket.

any more news on this ? HSDPA or HSUPA ? price etc ?

far more interesting than fashion accessory marketing smeg

Hmm... 1800 is also not supported by the 3GS as a 3G frequency?! Do they make a different version for Thailand?

[Abrak]

Meanwhile, True Move has launched its 3G wireless broadband service on a trial basis, using its existing 1,800MHz spectrum.

The service is available in downtown Bangkok, including the Silom, Siam Square, Sathorn, Ploenchit and Sukhumvit areas, as well as at Suvarnabhumi Airport and in Cha-am, Hua Hin and Phuket.

Maybe a stupid question, but is the True 3G package worthwhile if I live in Chiang Mai (and rarely get into BKK)? I see AIS promoting 3G all over the place in CM now, so can I buy the iphone and sign up with AIS 3G instead? Besides that, I'm already with AIS so I suppose I could keep the same mobile #, right?

And what about True WiFi? I see that promoted here in CM, but have never bothered to check it out. Does AIS have a comparable WiFi service?

Either way, I'm getting the 3Gs!!

I am getting it too.

Forget about AIS 3G though, their 3G is running at 900MHz, iPhone only supports 3G at more standard frequencies, as below:

UMTS/HSDPA (850, 1900, 2100 MHz)

GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)

True has way too bad a reception up here to consider it, I'll keep my AIS SIM until there is a real country-wide 3G in place. Which will probably take years. Meanwhile, we'll just use EDGE and WiFi.

I dont really want to be argumentative but if edge works at 900MHZ and your phone supports it. If the same phone is 3G compatible. Then upgrading the 900MHZ bandwidth to 3G will mean that a phone will work as 3G on the same bandwith. GSM is 3G compatible.

[nikster]

I dont really want to be argumentative but if edge works at 900MHZ and your phone supports it. If the same phone is 3G compatible. Then upgrading the 900MHZ bandwidth to 3G will mean that a phone will work as 3G on the same bandwith. GSM is 3G compatible.

Really? I didn't know that - that would explain a lot. Do you have any references for that? I thought that the protocol is part of the radio hardware, and therefore quite inflexible. But I may have been wrong and of course it would make sense to support 3G if you already support the frequency.

I was just at True and pre-ordered mine, and they told me that the iPhone 3GS works on their 3G network, which is 1800 MHz - and it's listed under GSM-EDGE in the specs also, not under 3G.

Edit: True on their homepage advertises the Blackberry Bold for their 3G network. So that would support your argument further, because the BB Bold also lists 1800 under "GSM frequencies".

Cool!!! That would also mean it would run on AIS 3G as well!

Edited August 5, 2009 by nikster

[Abrak]

I dont really want to be argumentative but if edge works at 900MHZ and your phone supports it. If the same phone is 3G compatible. Then upgrading the 900MHZ bandwidth to 3G will mean that a phone will work as 3G on the same bandwith. GSM is 3G compatible.

Really? I didn't know that - that would explain a lot. Do you have any references for that? I thought that the protocol is part of the radio hardware, and therefore quite inflexible. But I may have been wrong and of course it would make sense to support 3G if you already support the frequency.

I was just at True and pre-ordered mine, and they told me that the iPhone 3GS works on their 3G network, which is 1800 MHz - and it's listed under GSM-EDGE in the specs also, not under 3G.

Edit: True on their homepage advertises the Blackberry Bold for their 3G network. So that would support your argument further, because the BB Bold also lists 1800 under "GSM frequencies".

Cool!!! That would also mean it would run on AIS 3G as well!

Well this a rather difficult question.

There are two types of 3G technologies - 'revolutionary which uses new bandwidth and evolutionary which makes more efficient use of existing bandwidth. 3G is also very loosely defined - Edge is sometimes refered to as 3G and other times 2.75G - it essentially takes advantage of more efficient use of existing bandwidth.

Most 3G networks are evolutionary.

More efficient use of bandwidth is achieved principally by higher data compression and this is a problem. Your phone needs more power to decompress the data with 3G than 2G. You will find that battery usuage for a 3G phone may only be about half as good as a 2G phone. (That was the principal reason that the original iphone was only 2G.)

2G was essentially a digital version of analogue 1G in voice. If 2G had never materialised then there wouldnt be enough bandwidth for the existing number of customers.

Edited August 5, 2009 by Abrak

[nikster]

I sure hope they're not trying to sell me EDGE as 3G...

To me, 3G GSM is HSPA and its various variants.

[HDRIDER]

Hi

I use true,(true sucks) my phone was 3g yesterday in BKK also 3g in Phuket airport but not where i live in South of Phuket

[Abrak]

I sure hope they're not trying to sell me EDGE as 3G...

To me, 3G GSM is HSPA and its various variants.

I dont know anything about what exactly the various Thai networks are going to do.

EDGE was never sold as 3G by wither Apple or the operators but 3G standards were set in 2000 when data rates were 14.4kbps or so.

GPRS and EDGE have proven very popular with operators because they make use of the existing network structure to improve data rates. EGDE data rates are around say 180kbps. In factor Nokia has recently announced new equipment that will take enhanced EDGE up to 580kbps.

As I understand it UMTS on which HSPA is based requires installing new antennas and is very expensive. This is 3G but the original R99 handsets only had maximum data rates of 380kbps or so. AT&T's 3g network based on a different technology is only producing speeds of about 550kbps on average.

Is True's 3g network just faster than EDGE or is it 10x faster?

[nikster]

Hi

I use true,(true sucks) my phone was 3g yesterday in BKK also 3g in Phuket airport but not where i live in South of Phuket

Interesting!! That means it's definitely not EDGE because EDGE shows up as "E" on the iPhone.

I'd love to see reported speeds from the True network. There's two iPhone apps for that, just search for DSL speed. Both apps measure speed from the iPhone, same as the speed test websites. I think going to those on the iPhone will actually point you to the apps.

[stumonster]

As I understand it UMTS on which HSPA is based requires installing new antennas and is very expensive.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Mob...ications_System

Unlike EDGE (IMT Single-Carrier, based on GSM) and CDMA2000 (IMT Multi-Carrier), UMTS requires new cell towers and new frequency allocations. However, it is closely related to GSM/EDGE as it borrows and builds upon concepts from GSM. Further, most UMTS handsets also support GSM, allowing seamless dual-mode operation. Therefore, UMTS is sometimes marketed as 3GSM, emphasizing the close relationship with GSM and differentiating it from competing technologies.

[ChiangMaiThai]

So can I buy the phone from TRUE and then stick a AIS sim card in it or am I forced into some 2 year agreement with TRUE?

[nikster]

So can I buy the phone from TRUE and then stick a AIS sim card in it

Yes.

or am I forced into some 2 year agreement with TRUE?

No.

[Samuian]

How is the 3G Service on Samui/Chaweng area, anybody?

[Heraclitus]

Meanwhile, True Move has launched its 3G wireless broadband service on a trial basis, using its existing 1,800MHz spectrum.

The service is available in downtown Bangkok, including the Silom, Siam Square, Sathorn, Ploenchit and Sukhumvit areas, as well as at Suvarnabhumi Airport and in Cha-am, Hua Hin and Phuket.

Maybe a stupid question, but is the True 3G package worthwhile if I live in Chiang Mai (and rarely get into BKK)? I see AIS promoting 3G all over the place in CM now, so can I buy the iphone and sign up with AIS 3G instead? Besides that, I'm already with AIS so I suppose I could keep the same mobile #, right?

And what about True WiFi? I see that promoted here in CM, but have never bothered to check it out. Does AIS have a comparable WiFi service?

Either way, I'm getting the 3Gs!!

Let me also ask what me be stupid questions (I am not a technical person):

1. I understood that 3G service is limited to only certain areas of Bangkok, and was going to ask where in Bangkok it is available. I see above, however, 3G means different things - right? I will need to figure this out on my own I guess (but if anyone wants to explain the difference in practical terms, I would be grateful). You list areas and many thanks for doing so, but is there a website that depicts the area of coverage. Sukhumvit is a long street. Can anyone, for example, point me to a map where showing True will offer 3G service? Is there a website that lists the area, graphically, where this service is availble?

2. As I understand the True package, if you sign up with their two year package you get both 3G (where it is available) and WiFi where True's WiFi is available. Can anyone confirm? This is what the salesperson said, but confirmation would be nice.

3. Will a iPhone 3Gs automatically switch from to WiFi when its near a True WiFi hotspot? I was thinking about how I use my phone and computer now, and most of the time when I am out of the office and want access to email, I am near a WiFi hotspot. So if I am out of the 3G coverage area, I could get still get fast service if I was near a True WiFi hot spot, right? Or do I have this totally wrong?

4. Can I use both the WiFi hot spot on my phone and iPhone. Not at the same time, of course, but generally. I'd think the answer is yes, but would like to make sure. (As you might guess, I enjoy Starbucks).

5. Any plans to expand True's 3G coverage? If so, and English language websites that describe those plans? Any insight into this?

Thanks in advance.

Edited August 23, 2009 by Heraclitus

[bkkmick]

Hope that this isn't hijacking the thread too much but it sounds like you guys know what you're talking about.

I bought my iPhone from True and switched out their SIM card to (I think) the much faster AIS SIM card.

I've noticed a few times when out and about and browsing that I'm connected to a wireless network. When I check in the settings it says that I'm connected to "truewifi".

Is that suggesting that I'm getting free wifi from True even though I'm using an AIS SIM card? (or am I missing something, probably).

[Abrak]

Hope that this isn't hijacking the thread too much but it sounds like you guys know what you're talking about.

I bought my iPhone from True and switched out their SIM card to (I think) the much faster AIS SIM card.

I've noticed a few times when out and about and browsing that I'm connected to a wireless network. When I check in the settings it says that I'm connected to "truewifi".

Is that suggesting that I'm getting free wifi from True even though I'm using an AIS SIM card? (or am I missing something, probably).

Hmmmm.....

That is very interesting. I am sure True never meant things to work that way.

As a 'guess' I would think this. An iphone will automatically connect to a wifi network if it has the network password. So what True do with their phones is preprogram them with the network passwords for their wifi network. Changing the sim card therefore still enables you to access their wifi.

[bkkmick]

Certainly feasible Abrak. Next time I'm out I'll see if there are any network details held against the "truewifi"

[nikster]

Hope that this isn't hijacking the thread too much but it sounds like you guys know what you're talking about.

I bought my iPhone from True and switched out their SIM card to (I think) the much faster AIS SIM card.

I've noticed a few times when out and about and browsing that I'm connected to a wireless network. When I check in the settings it says that I'm connected to "truewifi".

Is that suggesting that I'm getting free wifi from True even though I'm using an AIS SIM card? (or am I missing something, probably).

Hmmmm.....

That is very interesting. I am sure True never meant things to work that way.

As a 'guess' I would think this. An iphone will automatically connect to a wifi network if it has the network password. So what True do with their phones is preprogram them with the network passwords for their wifi network. Changing the sim card therefore still enables you to access their wifi.

No that's not how it works. There is no "one" password for the WiFi - the way it works is that anyone can connect to truewifi - it's an open network. After that, you usually have to log in on a browser page, entering your username and password credentials.

Assuming that you were actually accessing the internet via truewifi, rather than just connecting to the network without access, here is how it could work: Maybe truewifi lets their own iPhones automatically log in, bypassing the user/password stage. They could either somehow pre-program the keychain of the iPhone to provide a unique user/pass for each phone. Or they have a way to find out which iPhone is connecting via the user agent or MAC address - though the latter is not normally passed through to the webserver, I think there's ways that the WiFi network could support automatic logon like this. That is, the WiFi router gets the MAC address, and it could use this information to cross-check with a list on the server side. A bit too fancy perhaps for true to implement...

you are sure you are actually accessing the web via truewifi right? anyone can connect to their network...

[nikster]

Meanwhile, True Move has launched its 3G wireless broadband service on a trial basis, using its existing 1,800MHz spectrum.

The service is available in downtown Bangkok, including the Silom, Siam Square, Sathorn, Ploenchit and Sukhumvit areas, as well as at Suvarnabhumi Airport and in Cha-am, Hua Hin and Phuket.

Maybe a stupid question, but is the True 3G package worthwhile if I live in Chiang Mai (and rarely get into BKK)? I see AIS promoting 3G all over the place in CM now, so can I buy the iphone and sign up with AIS 3G instead? Besides that, I'm already with AIS so I suppose I could keep the same mobile #, right?

And what about True WiFi? I see that promoted here in CM, but have never bothered to check it out. Does AIS have a comparable WiFi service?

Either way, I'm getting the 3Gs!!

Let me also ask what me be stupid questions (I am not a technical person):

1. I understood that 3G service is limited to only certain areas of Bangkok, and was going to ask where in Bangkok it is available. I see above, however, 3G means different things - right? I will need to figure this out on my own I guess (but if anyone wants to explain the difference in practical terms, I would be grateful). You list areas and many thanks for doing so, but is there a website that depicts the area of coverage. Sukhumvit is a long street. Can anyone, for example, point me to a map where showing True will offer 3G service? Is there a website that lists the area, graphically, where this service is availble?

2. As I understand the True package, if you sign up with their two year package you get both 3G (where it is available) and WiFi where True's WiFi is available. Can anyone confirm? This is what the salesperson said, but confirmation would be nice.

3. Will a iPhone 3Gs automatically switch from to WiFi when its near a True WiFi hotspot? I was thinking about how I use my phone and computer now, and most of the time when I am out of the office and want access to email, I am near a WiFi hotspot. So if I am out of the 3G coverage area, I could get still get fast service if I was near a True WiFi hot spot, right? Or do I have this totally wrong?

4. Can I use both the WiFi hot spot on my phone and iPhone. Not at the same time, of course, but generally. I'd think the answer is yes, but would like to make sure. (As you might guess, I enjoy Starbucks).

5. Any plans to expand True's 3G coverage? If so, and English language websites that describe those plans? Any insight into this?

Thanks in advance.

3 - yes. it switches to WiFi wherever available. you can set up what happens if you encounter an unknown WiFi network, but known networks are automatically connected to. For example, I turned off automatic connecting to unprotected networks because quite often the network is either not working or it requires a login so automatically connecting to these is silly and wastes time until the phone figures out it has no access and gets back to EDGE

4 - Yes

5 - Plans for sure, the main problem is politics, and has been for the past 5 years. Who knows if they'll ever resolve this. There seems to be absolutely no progress.

[bkkmick]

Yea nik, I was definitely getting wifi access speed. I was browsing some reports on my own website while standing in a queue at Carrefour and noticed it was quite fast. I seen the 'rainbow' icon to identify wifi access and checked the settings and seen the truewifi was active (I switched off the 'ask before joining' option so I didn't notice the connection happening).

I don't see how the 'rainbow' wifi icon (or whatever it is) could appear without actually having wifi access. Weird.

[nikster]

I don't see how the 'rainbow' wifi icon (or whatever it is) could appear without actually having wifi access. Weird.

Yes, it would not appear. So in that case maybe they do log you in somehow. Will ask about that in the True shop on Friday, if I can remember in the excitement....

[amphur]

TOT trying to kickstart stalled 3G plan

Writer: KOMSAN TORTERMVASANA Published: 26/08/2009 at 12:00 AM Newspaper section: BusinessTOT may withdraw its revised 29-billion-baht 3G project from the cabinet and use the previous draft because the project appears to be stalled.

Board spokesman Ratian Srimongkol said the state telecom enterprise submitted the revised 3G project to the cabinet several months ago but so far there was no sign it would be tabled for approval.

The revised project calls for general bidding for the third-generation mobile service and local financing for flexibility.

He said that as further delays in the 3G launch scheduled for Dec 5 could disrupt its business opportunities and marketing strategies, it would be better to use the original plan approved earlier by the previous government.

The original plan allows TOT to seek international financing in the form of export credits and to call international bidding.

TOT intends to upgrade 533 base stations of its subsidiary Thai Mobile so that it can start offering services by Dec 5, covering areas along the Airport Link route.

He said TOT earlier feared international bidding could pose problems in documentation, as requests need to be in English and sent to the foreign embassies of all bidders.

The process takes time to translate the documents. But the spokesman said such problems have been resolved and TOT was ready for such documents to be sent.

If the revised project is withdrawn, TOT could use the original plan to call international bidding and seek foreign funds to launch its 3G project immediately.

-- Bangkok Post 26/08/2009

3G not this year.

[regedit]

Seems there won't be enough iphones to go around, with True only so far receiving 3,500 units compared to the 10,000+ units that were pre-ordered.

Still, they'll give you a case as compensation for any delay...

True stays on form...

[sillyfools]

Meanwhile, True Move has launched its 3G wireless broadband service on a trial basis, using its existing 1,800MHz spectrum.

The service is available in downtown Bangkok, including the Silom, Siam Square, Sathorn, Ploenchit and Sukhumvit areas, as well as at Suvarnabhumi Airport and in Cha-am, Hua Hin and Phuket.

Maybe a stupid question, but is the True 3G package worthwhile if I live in Chiang Mai (and rarely get into BKK)? I see AIS promoting 3G all over the place in CM now, so can I buy the iphone and sign up with AIS 3G instead? Besides that, I'm already with AIS so I suppose I could keep the same mobile #, right?

And what about True WiFi? I see that promoted here in CM, but have never bothered to check it out. Does AIS have a comparable WiFi service?

Either way, I'm getting the 3Gs!!

Let me also ask what me be stupid questions (I am not a technical person):

1. I understood that 3G service is limited to only certain areas of Bangkok, and was going to ask where in Bangkok it is available. I see above, however, 3G means different things - right? I will need to figure this out on my own I guess (but if anyone wants to explain the difference in practical terms, I would be grateful). You list areas and many thanks for doing so, but is there a website that depicts the area of coverage. Sukhumvit is a long street. Can anyone, for example, point me to a map where showing True will offer 3G service? Is there a website that lists the area, graphically, where this service is availble?

2. As I understand the True package, if you sign up with their two year package you get both 3G (where it is available) and WiFi where True's WiFi is available. Can anyone confirm? This is what the salesperson said, but confirmation would be nice.

3. Will a iPhone 3Gs automatically switch from to WiFi when its near a True WiFi hotspot? I was thinking about how I use my phone and computer now, and most of the time when I am out of the office and want access to email, I am near a WiFi hotspot. So if I am out of the 3G coverage area, I could get still get fast service if I was near a True WiFi hot spot, right? Or do I have this totally wrong?

4. Can I use both the WiFi hot spot on my phone and iPhone. Not at the same time, of course, but generally. I'd think the answer is yes, but would like to make sure. (As you might guess, I enjoy Starbucks).

5. Any plans to expand True's 3G coverage? If so, and English language websites that describe those plans? Any insight into this?

Thanks in advance.

I've been using 3G for a few months now and if you're along a BTS you're covered in most areas. Around saphan kwai there is a great signal. Ari is a little less but Victory Monument is full strength. Yesterday I was driving around in a taxi (or rather stuck in traffic) for about an hour in the Siam square district between henri dunant and sukhumvit and silom and everywhere I got a strong signal so I held my meeting from a netbook in the cab using 3G. I'm not familiar with coverage elsewhere in the city but from Friday onwards after I pick up the iphone I'll be able to know more about that ;-).

If anyone has any reports about coverage in other parts of Thailand such as the islands, please let all of us know as well. It's handy not to pack any note or netbook if you know you can get by with emails on the iphone.

Cheers

[hughden]

Seems there won't be enough iphones to go around, with True only so far receiving 3,500 units compared to the 10,000+ units that were pre-ordered.

Still, they'll give you a case as compensation for any delay...

True stays on form...

My pre-order was meant to be collected tomorrow, with clear instructions that I had to collect it on that day or I would lose my deposit. Just checked with True and they told me to come back on 11th September......

[kjohn]

I switched to TrueMove following the allure of 3G (850Mhz, not 1900Mhz). Since the beginning of the year, the 3G has gotten better (there were days when I could see the 3G towers suddenly appearing out of nowhere unnamed, then slowly properly configured), but the EDGE is average to unusable. There is a weird handoff between 3G & EDGE... In particular, usually it does not happen and you have a dropped call or have to reload data. And of course, TrueMove voice coverage is poor, but their EDGE coverage is even worse. Even though it says EDGE, the speeds are GPRS. Although lately, the 3G has been popping in and out, sometimes 3G but no internet connectivity despite trying different devices. A third of the time my girlfriend's AIS EDGE will load the page faster than my TRUE 3G. If there is no 3G, her's wins hands down every time.

There are two major selling points (for me at least) to buy the iPhone 3Gs from TrueMove:

First, the ability to log into truewifi hotspots (there are quite a few) automatically via MAC address. They enter it into their system for automatic login. If you get signal, you can use it right away. This is a "perk" of their 12mo contract for the iPhone/Blackberry. Typically, you can get signal, but you must go to a webpage and enter your username and password. The webpage has improved. It's now formatted so that an iPhone (or most smart phones) can read it. It even has the option to remember your info too! This is great if all you do is web... but if you use twitter, facebook, or any other application... basically, you have to go to the web browser first each time. Somewhat of an inconvenience. Obviously the wifi doesn't work so well when you're moving (not just car, but simple walking), so if you choose to "remember this network" and you did not login, then if you aren't careful, you're no longer connected to the internet. sucks not just for push, but just in general... You basically have to not just manually login each time, but manually disable wifi when you're not using it! Even worse, the wifi is typically limited to 1MB (2MB for some people). 3G is 3.6 MB. Definitely noticeable. In the majority of Bangkok, if there is wifi, there is or will be 3G (ie. malls, BTS, etc.)... Probably the worst part is that they give away the wifi every chance they get and it's rather poorly maintained, so it's congested and does not quite often (my luck has been rarely to the point that I've given up).

(On a side note, as a 3G customer upgrading to 3GS, if I want to maintain this automatic login, I have to commit to a new 12mo contract. No discounts, no other benefits... just the autologin)

Second, a proper warranty. Typically if you have a problem within 7 days, they will swap it no questions asked. Although, there is a shortage so this should be interesting. Afterwards, you have a standard 12mo warranty on the device. Buying it elsewhere gives you basically no warranty unless you plan on visiting the country of original purchase for the warranty claim.

So if the difference between getting it oversees (ie. Hong Kong) and buying it from TrueMove is reasonable, then you should consider purchasing from TrueMove. Also a word of caution, not surprisingly, if you commit to a 1-2yr contract, there is no cancellation or early termination fee. After several employees and quite a bit of time on hold (you have to pay to call customer service or use their automated balance check service), I'm stuck with them until DTAC rolls out their 3G service. I will get my netsim and aircard on Tuesday, but I don't think they will offer 3G as an addon for quite a while Sadly, this is why I have to carry a second phone.

As a side note, according to people on the pantip forums, TrueMove knew ahead of time that there wouldn't be enough units. Especially since originally Apple announced that they would be available for sale August 9th or later. I read that there are only 3,500 units for 10,000 paid deposits (which makes me wonder why they kept taking people's money if they knew they didn't have the product). Thus all the people who reserved a specific pickup date later than this Friday (28th) are pushed back. TrueMove has called many who live outside Bangkok to push them back as well. The official date is "in a week or two" but employees are telling people, "no later than the end of Sept".

Otherwise, I love my iPhone 3GS (for a <10min wait, I was #3 at Paragon), it's very snappy, the added space is very nice. I'm still playing with the compass, but no augmented reality applications for Thailand yet. I haven't tried any 3GS only games yet. Still installing snow leopard...

[nikster]

As a side note, according to people on the pantip forums, TrueMove knew ahead of time that there wouldn't be enough units. Especially since originally Apple announced that they would be available for sale August 9th or later. I read that there are only 3,500 units for 10,000 paid deposits (which makes me wonder why they kept taking people's money if they knew they didn't have the product). Thus all the people who reserved a specific pickup date later than this Friday (28th) are pushed back. TrueMove has called many who live outside Bangkok to push them back as well. The official date is "in a week or two" but employees are telling people, "no later than the end of Sept".

What True did is take the iPhones and hand them out in BKK. They didn't honor your queue position - if you were not in BKK, tough luck! Saved some shipping costs, I assume?!?! TIT. True is a horrible company. Not going to sign any plans with them, that's for sure.

I used the True WiFi once, got it via promotion, and it was just terrible, slower than my EDGE setup via phone. No thanks.