Installing Internet Cable In Condo

[Briggsy]

I don't know enough to make a decision here so maybe somebody can advise or share their experience.

There are over a hundred rooms in my condo. Some, apparently, have installed cable internet (called sai LAN (สาย LAN) by the Thais), some haven't. Mine hasn't.

No problem said the office, the building is also wired for wi-fi. I pay for unlimited hours during a 30-day period of wi-fi internet. I get speed of 1024 M something for 500 Baht for 30 days by purchasing a user name and password. This works ok. Using e-mail and online banking etc. works well. Streaming something like youtube in the evening can be so slow as to make it pointless. There are occasional momentary cut-outs. Also, the ISP may be intermittently blocking file sharing.

Just for interest I went to TOT and they said they could install a cable internet connection for 1,600 Baht including a free modem and provide 4096 M internet connection for 590 Baht per month (not sure if that includes VAT).

If I went for it there would be a charge of 1600 to install and the monthly charge would be slightly higher.

Do you think it would make a noticeable difference to my internet use. Is TOT internet a reliable ISP?

[keeniau96]

TOT is the least reliable of all ISPs in Thailand. On Phuket we have been logging our speeds by location and time; TOT in any of its versions absolutely sux.

[beano2274]

In my present Condo we have to use TOT, as they had already laid the cables from the Street Cabinet, but it has been okay.

I have the 2MB package with free calls, do not want to upgrade as loose that promotion, which is good for my wife as she

use the telephone minutes up.

At first I used the condos wireless LAN purchasing Passwords for further use, I then decided to use TOT ADSL, had

a telephone line already. Better for me as no sharing and speeds are okay, sometimes the odd drop out, but nothing

serious.

In a previous condo I had them lay the cable, cost around 1600baht, when I left I just removed the patch from the outside

of the condo, as I had paid and not the condo owner.

[richardt1808]

Hi,

Bottom line is that your particular area may have better or worse speeds and connections to other areas so it is very hard to compare directly, but yes, you would probably be better off with your own connection as opposed to using the service from a building which has a lot of users sharing the same connection.

I have been with both TOT and True over the past few years (one for home and one for office) and overall have been satisfied with both in terms of speed and service. Of course ADSL quality can vary in certain areas depending on how many subscribers they have on a particular node. For example, one node may cover a city block, but if that particular block has a lot of high volume users, then you may also experience slower speeds and also dropped connections at peak times, until they upgrade the node. This is particularly true if you are on one of the ultra cheap packages, but its not a problem as you can always upgrade later if you need more speed. Whether you go for True Internet or TOT, you should be fine.

[astral]

The first thing to consider is that you must have a dedicated phone line?

ADSL cannot go through the private exchange in your building!!

If you do not have a private line then your landlord will need to get one installed, you will not be able to.

Once you have the private line then you can approach any of the Thai ISP's for service.

I am not sure who is best, that is another question.

I was happy with TOT, but that was many years ago, and when they first started service in my area.

[beano2274]

another idea would be to use the modem as a wireless modem, then if others in your condo, who you are friendly with want to use it you charge them a fee, less than the condo. Your costs are reduced and they are happy as they are getting it cheaper.

[robblok]

another idea would be to use the modem as a wireless modem, then if others in your condo, who you are friendly with want to use it you charge them a fee, less than the condo. Your costs are reduced and they are happy as they are getting it cheaper.

smart.. but then they leech up all your speed and your left with nothing

[beano2274]

another idea would be to use the modem as a wireless modem, then if others in your condo, who you are friendly with want to use it you charge them a fee, less than the condo. Your costs are reduced and they are happy as they are getting it cheaper.

smart.. but then they leech up all your speed and your left with nothing

True but the OP is only getting 1024 now, if he upgrades to 4096, and shares it with only one person then he is still getting great speeds. And getting money towards his own bill. And how often will the other person be online?

[astral]

If you use wireless you should secure it as tight as you can!!

[Briggsy]

It seems if I can shoulder the 1600 Baht plus extra 200 or so per month, the general consensus is to change over to ADSL from wi-fi.

However, Astral's comments about not being the owner of the condo seem to chuck a spanner in the works of the whole operation. This is contradicted, however, by the woman in the office downstairs saying it did not matter if you weren't the owner of the room, you could do it any way just by running a cable up the outside of the building and beano2274's comment saying he laid the cable not the room owner.

So let me think about this.

[Pib]

Your actual monthly cost is probably going to be 590 Baht for the 4Mb service "plus" 100 Baht for the phone/DSL line (we are now up to 690 Baht) "plus" 7% VAT for a total of 738.30 Baht. I'm have the 4Mb TOT package with the separate phone/DSL line (but the line also serves as a second phone line and my FAX line). I've had the service for about 2 months now and it works fine...it's no speed demon...I get an actual "IP" speed of 3.5Mb as advertised by TOT and about 0.90Mb to international sites....so far it has only went down one time for about a 3 hour period one morning. As mentioned, I've only had it 2 months so far (I switched from another ISP), but so far it's been working fine for internet browsing, email, VOIP, downloading, etc.

If you get the TOT DSL service be sure they actually install a new line from the pole to your condo to help ensure DSL connection quality. My line actually runs right to the outlet/phone/modem jack with no smaller size/typical house phone wiring involved. Fortunately, my house allowed this setup...and this setup probably helps my line quality. It seems so many people experience line/internet quality problems due to faulty/low quality internal home phone wiring (i.e., the wiring in the walls). Try to have the line installed as directly as possible with as little-to-no condo/house wiring as possible and "if possible." This hookup is not required to make things work, but it just may help your DSL work better/faster due to reduced attenuation and better signal to noise. This recommendation would apply to whatever DSL server provider you select (i.e., TOT, True, TT&T, etc). Good luck.

[Briggsy]

Thanks, Pib, for your detailed reply.