Internet Speed In Samui

[steviep]

Hey,

I hope you guys can help?

Looking to move to samui at the end of August, we need a good internet speed for skype calls which we will be doing everyday. Can you tell me what kind of speed the internet is and if skype calls are ok? Also does anyone use teamview? is that ok?

Also we will be renting a bungalow if we need to get internet installed, can we do this as a farang or do we need a thai to get it for us?

Sorry for all the questions we need to make sure we can get what we need.

Cheers,

Steve

[MattCinderey]

Location would be good? Lamai, Chaweng, etc?

Location depends on service provider. In the Southern part of the island you're limited to TOT which isn't great!...

Matt.

[bridge]

I am with Samui Bluechip Wifi. Great download speed and am on Skype most of the day with no problems at all.

Use my PC at Spa Samui too with same connection.

PM me if you want details of the English guy that runs it.

[Gulfsailor]

Internet speeds vary per (time of) day. There are all kind of packages around for the normal user from different providers but I don't know any that will garantee good connection speeds at all times of the day. The upload rate is the biggest problem. This is mostly because you share your speed with neighbours. If you want a dedicated line with garanteed speeds (upload still only 512KB, but then at least not sharing) you will need a corporate connection, with prices quickly going towards the USD 1000 per month. Apart from Skype, you can also use VoipBuster which allows you to call to worldwide fixed and mobile numbers pretty cheap. You can then also do phone-to-phone calls. I use this when connection speeds are slow. It costs me 1 Baht exra per minute to get the call through my Thai mobile, instead of directly from the PC using headphones. Afetr the connection is made it doesnt use my local Thai connection anymore, so the low speeds don't matter.

Good luck.

[steviep]

Thanks for the responses.

We will be looking to move around lamai. What service providers would be ok for lamai?

Would Bluechip do the service in lamai?

Also can anyone get a internet contract or do you need it in a thai name?

Thanks again.

Steve

[mattcodes]

CAT is generally the best 2mb/1mb but its 2600+vat a month, good luck getting to honour the new lower price of 1790, something not quite right with CAT Samui pricing . TT&T is not bad, works but speed will fluctuate for downloads. TOT is terrible. I had all three in past 12 months in Samui.

Your landlord will give sufficient paperwork if they trust your not going anywhere, or leave a 5000 baht deposit (varies on landlord and service provider).

Skype is okay, a little echo on CAT. Not sure teamview? some sort of remote desktop? RDP/VNC/Shell good on CAT, works most of the time on TT&T, rarely works on TOT.

Edited March 12, 2010 by mattcodes

[steviep]

cheers for the reply, I guess we should try CAT..

You mention VNC is that a free remote tool?

[nickmanchester2]

cheers for the reply, I guess we should try CAT..

You mention VNC is that a free remote tool?

I use skype here and its hit and miss - started diverting incoming calls (i have a UK 0161 - manchester - skypein number as well) to my thai mobile number a 6b a min as the upload speed it not always that good here. Best dl speed i have had was over 6meg and thats better than my uk connection.

[MattCinderey]

steviep - drop me a PM I can help you with any advice on internet in samui (especially lamai)

[Jiu-Jitsu]

It's worth noting that TRUE have a 3G trial going on in Samui. So if you have a suitable mobile telephone or USB modem, you may be able to connect that way.

Details here

[pinballwizard]

I am looking for a Wifi connection that will give me a reliable speed for skype in and around the big budha area that I can work from home.

I just got a wifi/usb connection with AIS for 3,300 Baht and its dropping my skype calls its a nightmare.

What are my alternatives?

*The internet cafes work so well, I want to use whatever they are using...I just want to do it at my residence.

*Is there a wifi out there that is capable of skyping in my neighborhood?

*Should I move to a more urban location? (in spite of the tower outside my apartment) Maybe there are some apartments equipped with ADSL already?... I am spending 10k a month for rent with a huge workout facility. I would be interested in looking at alternatives.

AIS is giving me the following from a Singapore server at 7:00PM:

Ping: 1200 miliseconds

Download of 50k

Upload of 60k

I think the major issue is packet loss though.

I was hoping for something like 200ms, 200-500K download and 100k up and no packet loss.

THANKS IN ADVANCE

Edited April 16, 2010 by pinballwizard

[itishothere]

Why not look at a dedicated line? Not sure how long you intend to stay here, but my understanding is there is a minimum 6 month contract - maybe 12 if not in a Thai name?

I live in a condo in Fishermans area, my line costs roughly 700B per month and I am getting a ping of 57 ms, download of 3985 kbps and an upload of 227. No idea about the packet loss as I don't skype - or know how to check it!!

[mattcodes]

Like itishothere says, if you give the landlord sufficient deposit (5000b) he should have no problem wiring you up with TOT or TTT, probably TOT only where you are (start 490 baht a month), the deposit used to continue payments in the event you default (walk out without paying 6 months line rental). TOT is not great but probably better than AIS GPRS/EDGE, no point opting for >2mb though since you'll never get it with TOT outside thailand so stick with the basic package. If TT&T available though use them instead.