Anyone Using A Mifi Hotspot In Bangkok?

[dustyniche]

Hi;

I'll be traveling in Thailand this July (2011) and am thinking of purchasing (something like) an Unlocked Huawei E5 E5832 GSM 3G HSDPA MiFi Router from EBay to bring with me. The idea would be to pair this with a DTAC unlimited internet SIM and then the three of us could share one connection.

Here is a link to the device on EBay... http://cgi.ebay.com/...e=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Is anyone using a MiFi hotspot router in and around Bangkok / Hua Hin / Chiang Mai? If so, can you tell me if it works OK or not?

My other choice is to simply get an aircard for each notebook and add a data SIM as needed.

After reading other posts on this forum about aircards I've decided that if I'm going to get an aircard instead of the MiFi hotspot then it appears great deals can be had in Bangkok. The questsion is where is the best place to purchase an aircard. Do the DTAC centers sell both the aircards and SIMs? i.e. does DTAC store in Paragon center sell a variety of these items or is it better to go to Pantip or Fortune and get the aircard from a shop at one of these malls? Any suggestions as to which shop to buy from?

Thanks for your advice.

[Jiu-Jitsu]

Your first problem will arise from the inability to connect to the 3G Network of your choice. There is no mobile broadband modem that connect to all three of the 3G Networks. You will have to choose between AIS 3G/TOT 3G or TRUE 3G/TOT 3G.

Once you have decided on that, you can proceed with your purchase.

The MiFi in your link supports AIS 3G/TOT 3G. You won't have access to TRUE 3G. DTAC does not have commercial 3G at the moment. I don't think that three of you would like to share a 256kbps Internet link.

You need to go back to the drawing board.

[lomatopo]

How long will you be in Thailand? How long in each location? What are your typical requirements, how much data do you think you will use? What is your budget for internet access? Do you have any voice requirements? Do you have phones? Smartphones?

I agree with Jiu-Jitsu in that you will not want to share a 2G (GSM data: GPRS/EDGE) data connection (~ 175 Kbps download) simultaneously with 3 PCs. Sp you may want to consider your 3G options. We have different 3G service providers here operating in certain areas on different frequencies, so this can be challenging.

I believe True might be the best option? They have coverage in Bangkok, Hua Hin (I think) and Chiang Mai. They operate 3G on 850 Mhz. (TOT on 2100 Mhz and AIS in Chiang Mai on 900 Mhz).

The Huawei (and ZTE) MiFi device model numbering scheme is quite confusing, and it is very difficult to determine exact specifications as errors in descriptions get promulgated through the internet. I think the E5832 only supports 900/2100 Mhz 3G; it does support EDGE / GPRS / GSM 850/900/1800/1900 Mhz.

I think this is accurate:

manufacturer: Huawei

model: E5, 583x

3G integrated: +

GSM frequency bands: 850/900/1800/1900

UMTS frequency bands:

E5830: 2100

E5832: 900/2100

E5838: 850/1900/2100

There is also a E5836S which is what True re-sell here. http://www.truemove.com/3g/en/3g_mifi.html

http://3g.vivaonline.biz/mifi-true-3g-dtac-3g-tot-3g-e5836s/

http://3g.vivaonline.biz/products-page/huawei/mifi-true-3g-huawei-e5836s/

There have been a few MiFi threads in the last year; I'll look through those and add links.

[4evermaat]

if the OP is serious about having protable 3g internet, he will definetly have true (850 mhz Utms) on his list. as lomapoto mentioned, True sells a GSM mifi device 3g triband / 2g quadband for 4000 baht and they will probably toss in a free netsim or whatever if you buy from a truemove shop. If he goes to other areas in thailand, it may be worth it to have Cat CDMA MiFi device, if coverage is in that area. Thats 5900 baht (not sure if it went back up to 7900)

The best place to be for 3g would probably be Phuket. You have True and CatCDMA coverage and can switch back and forth. But bangkok? Maybe layer true and dtac? or true and 3bb?

[wpcoe]

Will you be needing 3G access in any place(s) other than Bangkok, Hua Hin and Chiang Mai? Those three places (as well as Phuket, I believe) are definitely covered by True 3G. However, if you throw some other cities into the mix it may cloud the issue.

[dustyniche]

The last time I was in Thailand was 2004 - using dial-up from my apartment. And I thought that being locked into a contract with AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint or Verizon in the US was a headache, but from the replies it sounds like the Thai service providers are not that far along with mobile broadband as I was led to believe by other websites. In any case I'm starting to understand the delima a traveler will face if moving around the country rather than staying in one city or another.

To put some answers on your questions resulting from my questions:

Voice requirements:

We have unlocked Samsung A-777 and A-877 AT&T phones. I was planning on getting DTAC Happy SIMs for voice and Texting. No data for these phones.

In Country:

about 38 days. (July 11 through August 17)

Time in each location:

1 week in Chiang Mai, 1 week in Hua Hin (actually Pranburi, 30 Km south), remainder in Bangkok

Internet requirements and budget:

Budget: I see Net or Data SIM "plans" for 790 Baht and aircards that average 1,500 Baht. I'm OK with these prices if they are up to date.

I mentioned DTAC SIMs earlier because I see they have a 790 Baht unlimited prepaid plan and I thought this would be the easy way out of the confusion. However, the replies are steering me to Truemove service. I'll mainly be checking email and general web surfing, but I'm anticipating I'll have to do some occasional work on a website I manage - which means edits to underlying code or adding some new code. I'm probably more comfortable with some sort of unlimited prepaid plan.

My understanding so far:

I believe that I am going to scrap the MiFi idea. Too risky and I don't plan to use it in the US (too expensive).

I think we can get by on two usb aircards. I see them advertised on the net for between 1,200 and 1,800 Baht (some with data SIM included) (this site is referende only: http://www.totalaircard.com/)

I'm hearing everyone say that True is the way to go or ideally I need an Aircard that has Tri-Band (850/900/2100 UTMS to get real 3G with fallback to Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900 (EDGE / GSM) if 3G is not available. Does this sound about right?

What do you guys think? True Net SIM in some sort of "as many bands as possible" Aircard purchased at a Truemove store.

Thanks

[Jiu-Jitsu]

if the OP is serious about having protable 3g internet, he will definetly have true (850 mhz Utms) on his list. as lomapoto mentioned, True sells a GSM mifi device 3g triband / 2g quadband for 4000 baht and they will probably toss in a free netsim or whatever if you buy from a truemove shop. If he goes to other areas in thailand, it may be worth it to have Cat CDMA MiFi device, if coverage is in that area. Thats 5900 baht (not sure if it went back up to 7900)

The best place to be for 3g would probably be Phuket. You have True and CatCDMA coverage and can switch back and forth. But bangkok? Maybe layer true and dtac? or true and 3bb?

Considering that Lomatopo linked to this in his previous post, there is no excuse for you getting the price wrong. It is 4900 baht.

The rest of your post is just strange and just wrong.

[Jiu-Jitsu]

The last time I was in Thailand was 2004 - using dial-up from my apartment. And I thought that being locked into a contract with AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint or Verizon in the US was a headache, but from the replies it sounds like the Thai service providers are not that far along with mobile broadband as I was led to believe by other websites. In any case I'm starting to understand the delima a traveler will face if moving around the country rather than staying in one city or another.

To put some answers on your questions resulting from my questions:

Voice requirements:

We have unlocked Samsung A-777 and A-877 AT&T phones. I was planning on getting DTAC Happy SIMs for voice and Texting. No data for these phones.

In Country:

about 38 days. (July 11 through August 17)

Time in each location:

1 week in Chiang Mai, 1 week in Hua Hin (actually Pranburi, 30 Km south), remainder in Bangkok

Internet requirements and budget:

Budget: I see Net or Data SIM "plans" for 790 Baht and aircards that average 1,500 Baht. I'm OK with these prices if they are up to date.

I mentioned DTAC SIMs earlier because I see they have a 790 Baht unlimited prepaid plan and I thought this would be the easy way out of the confusion. However, the replies are steering me to Truemove service. I'll mainly be checking email and general web surfing, but I'm anticipating I'll have to do some occasional work on a website I manage - which means edits to underlying code or adding some new code. I'm probably more comfortable with some sort of unlimited prepaid plan.

My understanding so far:

I believe that I am going to scrap the MiFi idea. Too risky and I don't plan to use it in the US (too expensive).

I think we can get by on two usb aircards. I see them advertised on the net for between 1,200 and 1,800 Baht (some with data SIM included) (this site is referende only: http://www.totalaircard.com/)

I'm hearing everyone say that True is the way to go or ideally I need an Aircard that has Tri-Band (850/900/2100 UTMS to get real 3G with fallback to Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900 (EDGE / GSM) if 3G is not available. Does this sound about right?

What do you guys think? True Net SIM in some sort of "as many bands as possible" Aircard purchased at a Truemove store.

Thanks

The D-LINK DWM 156 seems a decent choice. Available at Pantip Plaza for around 1500 baht. Then just pick up a TRUE SIM, a 49 baht INTER SIM from Family Mart or 7/11 will do.

Pop the card in to your telephone, top the card up with 750 baht and then send a text message via SMS containing V3 to number 9789. That will get you 3GB of 3G data, 3G of GPRS/EDGE data and unlimited WiFi(username and password supplied via SMS) at TRUE Hotspots.

[lomatopo]

Both of your phones can function as an air-card of sorts: that is to say as a dial-up 2G (~ 175 Kbps down modem). FWIW, both your phones are also 850 Mhz 3G capable - thanks AT&T - so would work on True's 3G network.

Essentially you attach the phone to the PC via USB or Bluettooth and then use it as a modem.

So maybe get two (2) DTAC/Happy pre-paid SIMs, or One (1) DTAC/HAppy pre-paid SIM and one (1) AIS/One-2-Call pre-paid SIM. Layer a volume-based (MB) data plan on one or both, then use those for calling and GSM data (2G: GPRS/EDGE), AIS-One-2-Call 200 MB/299 baht; 500 MB/400 baht. SIMs are available everywhere, ~ 50 baht, and any data plan can be layered on any SIM.

You should experiment, at least to the point of establishing PC-phone connectivity, before you depart. Do you use AT&T or T-Mo pre-paid in the U.S.? PC Studio does allow you to manage internet connections although Windows just may recognize the phone as a modem when you plug-it in?

Then maybe get a DWM-156 here, my recent review is linked below. When I bought this aircard it came with a iMobile (MVNO for TOT 3G) 3G SIM FREE, with 1 GB over 45 days, also FREE. That would work in metro-Bangkok only. And/or get a Truemove 3G Hi-Speed NetSIM (~ 50-ish baht) (the InterSIM is really for outgoing international calling, not recommended in this application), then layer a 500 MB/399 baht data plan on top of that. (Really equals 600 MB as you get 100 MB free every month with the Hi-Speed NetSIM).

Edited June 7, 2011 by lomatopo

[Jiu-Jitsu]

Both of your phones can function as an air-card of sorts: that is to say as a dial-up 2G (~ 175 Kbps down modem). FWIW, both your phones are also 850 Mhz 3G capable - thanks AT&T - so would work on True's 3G network.

Essentially you attach the phone to the PC via USB or Bluettooth and then use it as a modem.

So maybe get two (2) DTAC/Happy pre-paid SIMs, or One (1) DTAC/HAppy pre-paid SIM and one (1) AIS/One-2-Call pre-paid SIM. Layer a volume-based (MB) data plan on one or both, then use those for calling and GSM data (2G: GPRS/EDGE), AIS-One-2-Call 200 MB/299 baht; 500 MB/400 baht. SIMs are available everywhere, ~ 50 baht, and any data plan can be layered on any SIM.

You should experiment, at least to the point of establishing PC-phone connectivity, before you depart. Do you use AT&T or T-Mo pre-paid in the U.S.? PC Studio does allow you to manage internet connections although Windows just may recognize the phone as a modem when you plug-it in?

Then maybe get a DWM-156 here, my recent review is linked below. When I bought this aircard it came with a iMobile (MVNO for TOT 3G) 3G SIM FREE, with 1 GB over 45 days, also FREE. That would work in metro-Bangkok only. And/or get a Truemove 3G Hi-Speed NetSIM (~ 50-ish baht) (the InterSIM is really for outgoing international calling, not recommended in this application), then layer a 500 MB/399 baht data plan on top of that. (Really equals 600 MB as you get 100 MB free every month with the Hi-Speed NetSIM).

I'm a bit confused by your advice here.

If as you suggest, the OP's telephones will work with TRUE 3G, why are you advising them to use DTAC/AIS GPRS/EDGE SIM cards?

You are wrong about the Inter SIM. Why would you suggest that it is not suitable?? It is a 3G capable SIM for 49 baht and you have the capability to make cheap International calls, plus you get a year's validity with only a 10 baht top up. As I wrote before, you can easily add a Data pack to the card.

Your information about the Extra Packages is out of date. The 399 baht + VAT(428 baht) Data pack gives 1 GB of data(for the first three months). Though the OP should remember to cancel the package before he leaves. The 699 baht + VAT(750 baht) Data pack gives 3 GB as stated. Since he wanted an unlimited package I guess 3GB will be closer to the mark over 38 days.

The Net SIM is more expensive though does come with an extra 100MB data allowance. But to suggest that the Inter SIM is unsuitable for 3G usage is wrong.

[lomatopo]

I'm a bit confused by your advice here.

If as you suggest, the OP's telephones will work with TRUE 3G, why are you advising them to use DTAC/AIS GPRS/EDGE SIM cards?

You are wrong about the Inter SIM. Why would you suggest that it is not suitable?? It is a 3G capable SIM for 49 baht and you have the capability to make cheap International calls, plus you get a year's validity with only a 10 baht top up. As I wrote before, you can easily add a Data pack to the card.

Your information about the Extra Packages is out of date. The 399 baht + VAT(428 baht) Data pack gives 1 GB of data(for the first three months). Though the OP should remember to cancel the package before he leaves. The 699 baht + VAT(750 baht) Data pack gives 3 GB as stated. Since he wanted an unlimited package I guess 3GB will be closer to the mark over 38 days.

The Net SIM is more expensive though does come with an extra 100MB data allowance. But to suggest that the Inter SIM is unsuitable for 3G usage is wrong.

Sorry for confusing you; hopefully the OP is not also confused.

I think the plan is to use both phones for voice, and I suggested they could be used for 2G data, as one form of mobile data connectivity. I suggested AIS or DTAC as they seem to have the best coverage, reputation, etc. - I sometimes have no signal from True, in rural-ish areas, but pop in an AIS or DTAC SIM and bingo, 4 bars. These phones are 3G capable as end-points only. You can browse on the phone but you cannot 'tether' them in 3G.

And for 3G I suggested the DWM-156, and maybe a True Hi-Speed Net SIM (same price as the Inter[national] SIM, 49 baht), as this provided an extra 100 MB of data and international calling, validity did not seem to be core requirements? So not "unsuitable" per se, but not seemingly vital for this particular application. I agree you can layer any data plan on an Inter[national] SIM. And yes, the 399 500 MB plan did come with an extra 500 MB for the first three months (so 1.1 GB per month for the first three months), although that promotion may have ended on May 31, 2554 (2011) so I didn't mention it? http://www.truemove.com/th/wifi-edge-gprs-package.htm

As I understand it there are three (3) PCs, so by tethering two (2) phones with 2G and the DWM-156 (3G or 2G) you could have simultaneous connectivity. You could also move the SIMs around as required.

Again, my recommendation is aimed at this one specific user and application, based on my understanding of the requirements, and not meant to be some universal endorsement or disparagement of other options.

Some A-777 and A-877 tethering links: (I'm fairly certain you can only tether in 2G.)

http://ars.samsung.com/customer/usa/jsp/faqs/faqs_view_us.jsp?SITE_ID=22&PG_ID=557&PROD_SUB_ID=558&PROD_ID=1345&AT_ID=140461

http://www.att-phones.org/att-samsung-impression-tips-use-it-as-a-modem.html

Edited June 8, 2011 by lomatopo

[Jiu-Jitsu]

I'm a bit confused by your advice here.

If as you suggest, the OP's telephones will work with TRUE 3G, why are you advising them to use DTAC/AIS GPRS/EDGE SIM cards?

You are wrong about the Inter SIM. Why would you suggest that it is not suitable?? It is a 3G capable SIM for 49 baht and you have the capability to make cheap International calls, plus you get a year's validity with only a 10 baht top up. As I wrote before, you can easily add a Data pack to the card.

Your information about the Extra Packages is out of date. The 399 baht + VAT(428 baht) Data pack gives 1 GB of data(for the first three months). Though the OP should remember to cancel the package before he leaves. The 699 baht + VAT(750 baht) Data pack gives 3 GB as stated. Since he wanted an unlimited package I guess 3GB will be closer to the mark over 38 days.

The Net SIM is more expensive though does come with an extra 100MB data allowance. But to suggest that the Inter SIM is unsuitable for 3G usage is wrong.

Sorry for confusing you; hopefully the OP is not also confused.

I think the plan is to use both phones for voice, and I suggested they could be used for 2G data, as one form of mobile data connectivity. I suggested AIS or DTAC as they seem to have the best coverage, reputation, etc. - I sometimes have no signal from True, in rural-ish areas, but pop in an AIS or DTAC SIM and bingo, 4 bars. These phones are 3G capable as end-points only. You can browse on the phone but you cannot 'tether' them in 3G.

And for 3G I suggested the DWM-156, and maybe a True Hi-Speed Net SIM (same price as the Inter[national] SIM, 49 baht), as this provided an extra 100 MB of data and international calling, validity did not seem to be core requirements? So not "unsuitable" per se, but not seemingly vital for this particular application. I agree you can layer any data plan on an Inter[national] SIM. And yes, the 399 500 MB plan did come with an extra 500 MB for the first three months (so 1.1 GB per month for the first three months), although that promotion may have ended on May 31, 2554 (2011) so I didn't mention it? http://www.truemove.com/th/wifi-edge-gprs-package.htm

As I understand it there are three (3) PCs, so by tethering two (2) phones with 2G and the DWM-156 (3G or 2G) you could have simultaneous connectivity. You could also move the SIMs around as required.

Again, my recommendation is aimed at this one specific user and application, based on my understanding of the requirements, and not meant to be some universal endorsement or disparagement of other options.

Some A-777 and A-877 tethering links: (I'm fairly certain you can only tether in 2G.)

http://ars.samsung.com/customer/usa/jsp/faqs/faqs_view_us.jsp?SITE_ID=22&PG_ID=557&PROD_SUB_ID=558&PROD_ID=1345&AT_ID=140461

http://www.att-phones.org/att-samsung-impression-tips-use-it-as-a-modem.html

Oi! I suggested the D_LINK.

As to the SIM, my suggestion was that he could just pick up an ordinary Inter SIM, though equally if the Net SIM was available, he could use that too. The extra 100MB may come in handy, but it's also useful to know that you are not tied down to using a Net SIM if none is available.

Anyway, the OP has all the info at his fingertips. He can hardly go wrong.

[Jiu-Jitsu]

I'm a bit confused by your advice here.

If as you suggest, the OP's telephones will work with TRUE 3G, why are you advising them to use DTAC/AIS GPRS/EDGE SIM cards?

You are wrong about the Inter SIM. Why would you suggest that it is not suitable?? It is a 3G capable SIM for 49 baht and you have the capability to make cheap International calls, plus you get a year's validity with only a 10 baht top up. As I wrote before, you can easily add a Data pack to the card.

Your information about the Extra Packages is out of date. The 399 baht + VAT(428 baht) Data pack gives 1 GB of data(for the first three months). Though the OP should remember to cancel the package before he leaves. The 699 baht + VAT(750 baht) Data pack gives 3 GB as stated. Since he wanted an unlimited package I guess 3GB will be closer to the mark over 38 days.

The Net SIM is more expensive though does come with an extra 100MB data allowance. But to suggest that the Inter SIM is unsuitable for 3G usage is wrong.

And for 3G I suggested the DWM-156, and maybe a True Hi-Speed Net SIM (same price as the Inter[national] SIM, 49 baht), as this provided an extra 100 MB of data and international calling, validity did not seem to be core requirements? So not "unsuitable" per se, but not seemingly vital for this particular application. I agree you can layer any data plan on an Inter[national] SIM. And yes, the 399 500 MB plan did come with an extra 500 MB for the first three months (so 1.1 GB per month for the first three months), although that promotion may have ended on May 31, 2554 (2011) so I didn't mention it? http://www.truemove.com/th/wifi-edge-gprs-package.htm

It does seem that the + 500 MB promotion on the 428 baht package ended at the beginning of June, but nevertheless 600 MB is probably not enough for up to 38 days. The 3GB package with unlimited WiFI @ 750 baht looks a better fit.