True 3G: Face-Toface Techie Enquiries

[phaethon]

I tried to ask some probing questions at the True shop in Paradise Mall, but they only have leaflet-handling skills there (and enough metalwork on their teeth that they can't even speak Thai clearly...)

Anyway, is there a particular True shop in or around central BKK that has techies on hand to answer serious questions about their 3Mb/s 3G package and my handset (Nok.E71) and whether I need an aircard instead, and English speakers to translate (or better all in one English-speaking techies)?

Ideally I'd drag my phone and laptop in and get them to show it working, but TIT.

I don't suppose they have a money-back guarantee if it's not up to spec... ( :cheesy: ) ?

[Jiu-Jitsu]

Unless your phone is from the USA, you'll need a suitable aircard/modem.

If it is...

You can buy a 49 baht Inter SIM, add 50 baht in credit, call TRUE in order to activate 3G and then subscribe to a one hour 3G package for 30 baht in order to test the system.

[Jiu-Jitsu]

General 2G Network GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900

3G Network HSDPA 900(AIS) / 2100((TOT)

HSDPA 850(TRUE) / 1900 - American version

[Jiu-Jitsu]

General 2G Network GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900

3G Network HSDPA 900(AIS) / 2100((TOT)

HSDPA 850(TRUE) / 1900 - American version of E71

[phaethon]

Unless your phone is from the USA, you'll need a suitable aircard/modem.

If it is...

You can buy a 49 baht Inter SIM, add 50 baht in credit, call TRUE in order to activate 3G and then subscribe to a one hour 3G package for 30 baht in order to test the system.

Okay, thanks, I do already have an InterSIM, I'll take it with me.

[lomatopo]

TrueMove has a pretty big presence at the Digital Gateway complex in Siam Square (new, long, curved-roof building, south side of road), with direct access from the BTS station, opposite the Siam Discovery entrance (Oishii sushi stand near the entrance to the Digital Gateway).

As Jui-Jitsu mentions, your handset needs to support 850 MHz for WCDM (HSDPA), not to be confused with GSM 850 (for voice).

It looks like there are three (3) models:

E71-1 Quad-band EGSM 850/900/1800/1900, WCDMA 900/2100 HSDPA

E71-2 Quad-band EGSM 850/900/1800/1900, WCDMA 850/1900 HSDPA

E71-3 Quad-band EGSM 850/900/1800/1900, WCDMA 850/2100 HSDPA

so my read is that the E71-2 and E71-3 would work on True's 3G network. I use an unlocked AT&T Samsung Captivate (Galaxy S variant) which has 850 MHz, and got a True High-Speed Net SIM and am trialling the 399 baht package. I am very, very impressed with the coverage, the WiFi access and performance. Customer service and account management, say by a website, could be better (no Thai fonts on my phone so hard to read service messages!)

Any other questions blast away.

[phaethon]

Thanks for that Iomatopo, just my luck: I ripped the back off my phone and found I have a E71-1

I was just about to leave for Paragon as I remeber a True cafe and it is 'Farang central', but now you mention it I remneber seeing the True place you describe, IIRC it was just opening/moving during the Redshirt demos, so I'll go take another look.

On reflection I think I'm better off with a dedicated aircard and keep the Nokia on 1toCall - 99% of it's use if reading ebooks on the train and GPS anyway.

Compared to the card itself a new SIM costs nothing so I'll keep the existing InterSIM for the occasional call abroad.

[lomatopo]

Link to Truemove's aircard promo

[jfchandler]

Interesting comments...

Re the E71, which has a very good reputation, I searched high and low earlier this year for a -3 version E71 that has the 850 and 2100 Mhz 3G frequencies, since it would cover both the current True 3G network on 850 and the current TOT/IMobile 3G on the 2100 Mhz band, and supposedly the future nationwide 2100 Mhz service.

Despite some claims online of E71 models being the -3 version, I never could confirm finding one for sale where it could be confirmed reliably that it really had service on the 850/2100 bands...I eventually gave up looking for that.

BTW, in addition to the Gateway True shop, there's also has been a ground floor True coffee and service shop there near the Marina HK restaurant opposite the Siam Discovery Center where the True staff on hand have decent English, and have been able to answer tech issues for me in the past. It was still operating there the last time I passed by.

I have TOT/IMobile's 3G service on Nokia phone from the U.S., and True's 3G on a WinMo phone from the U.S. Both services work pretty well for me here in BKK... I only use both for web access via those mobile phones, not for tethering for regular Internet access... So I'm more aware of where they provide 3G service and where they don't when I'm out and around, vs. tracking their connection speeds.... True seems to be a bit more comprehensive than TOT/IMobile in that regard, but both pretty much work most often wherever I may be in BKK.

[Jiu-Jitsu]

Unless your phone is from the USA, you'll need a suitable aircard/modem.

If it is...

You can buy a 49 baht Inter SIM, add 50 baht in credit, call TRUE in order to activate 3G and then subscribe to a one hour 3G package for 30 baht in order to test the system.

Okay, thanks, I do already have an InterSIM, I'll take it with me.

To sign up for the 1 hour of 3G day package, sent a text message containing DH to number 9789. You also get 2 hrs of WiFi access. Don't depend on the staff having any knowledge of it's existence. Alternatively you can take a 20MB day package by sending DM. Same 30 baht, but no WiFi.

Don't try any other package, as it will block your SIM against any other packages for that month.

Take a monthly package when you are sure of your usage pattern.... or you can just buy more SIMS if necessary

[ozzydave]

I very successfully used the Telstra 3G USB dongle (instead of buy their 2000tb dongle). Mine was the ZTE MF662 model.

Good 3G coverage most places I have been.

The only issue I had was at recharge time :-( Anybody can take your money - I guess that is all that 711 can be really be expected to do

Getting any sort of support can be an issue - even when accompanied by a thai speaker.

Most staff at True try, but my lack of thai was a challenge. I must say thanks to a couple of the girls at Bang Kapi mall True outlet for their efforts - dam_n I even made it worth their while (and I'm a tight *ss!)

Dont rely on the 1331number or internet as its usually busy.

[Jiu-Jitsu]

TOT 3G or it MVNOs may be a cheaper alternative in Bangkok.