Broadband Confusion

[doctormann]

Hi Guys

Firstly, I suspect that the info that I need is already posted somewhere but I don't sem to be able to find it - at least in a form that I can readily understand.

I'm currently running a dial-up account with CSLOXINFO and this has been trouble-free for years, if a little slow. With the advent of a second PC in my household - for my son - the time has come to go WiFi ADSL I think. I'm a bit clued up on the hardware side so I know that I need to get an ADSL Modem / Router and the wireless receiver thingies that plug into the USB ports on the PCs - both are desk-top machines - but I don't have any idea what is involved in setting things up. Maybe my ISP, whoever that may be, will do this?

Questions:

Do I have to get my ADSL connection from my current phone company? Currently I'm using ToT for my phone line - maybe no choice here - so do I have to use the ToT ADSL service?

If I use ToT, do they then become my ISP or can I use a different provider?

How do I pay for the service? Presumably, if I use ToT for the ADSL connection, their charges will appear on my monthly phone bill. I assume that there will be additional charges levied by the ISP. Currently, I just pay my phone bill to ToT and buy time off CSLOXINFO via top-up cards. Do I pay the ISP in a similar way?

Any recommendations regarding manufacturers of hardware? I hear that the modem / routers provided by ToT, for example, are not good quality so I shall probably buy my own. I've seen a lot of Belkin stuff in my local TukCom (Pattaya) - is this a good make to go with?

Any other broadband-related things that I should consider?

Thanks,

DM

[RubbaJohnny]

As you must pay TOT we go with them ,theres little choice here.

Belkin are good quality

I have a cisco which I got free in the UK from an outfit called fon

They also supply fonera in USA and mark 1 model was free at one time the new models are $200ish

Here in Thailnd if you are on dial up many of the benefits are redundant

However your son will be able to use 2nd terminal

NB if his music/games use big bandwidth it will grind your speed too.

Check if there are other neworks in your area TRiue DTAC or satelite options.

Good luck

The instructions for set up are oftenpoorly translated here but can usually be found on manufacturers website or user forums

[Supernova]

Any recommendations regarding manufacturers of hardware? I hear that the modem / routers provided by ToT, for example, are not good quality so I shall probably buy my own. I've seen a lot of Belkin stuff in my local TukCom (Pattaya) - is this a good make to go with?

ISP branded routers are troublesome, you'd be better off buying your own. A budget of Bt1500-2000 will get you something decent. While shopping for a router, try to get one with a Broadcom chipset.

[Phil Conners]

TOT are the worst. Check out if True service your village. Their office is in Lotus North Pattaya. They seem to be covering more and more of Pattaya and are at this time the cheapest and, by several reports on this forum, best ISP's at this time. Remember to get the "premium pack" if you expect to browse anything but Thai websites at a decent speed. It's only 200 extra/month.