Best Usb Modem To Work In Thailand, Uk & Madagascar

[Trevor25222]

http://www.worldtimezone.com/gsm.html

Quotes all 3 countries using 900 and 1800 MHz but 3G only in Thailand & UK on 2100 MHz.

http://zoomtel.com/p...d_overview.html

Zoom modems are unlocked, compatible with Mac OSX and reputedly faster than other brands. They offer 900 / 2100 MHz & 850 / 1900 / 2100 MHz. None offer 1800 MHz on the spec but is it automatically covered as a double of 900 MHz? Would the 900 / 2100 MHz modem serve my requirements? Thanks

[BB1950]

I think you are getting confused between GSM/GPRS/EDGE (otherwise known as 2G) frequencies and UMTS/HSDPA (otherwise known as 3G) frequencies.

Protocol: GSM/GPRS/EDGE (otherwise known as 2G)

Frequencies: 850Mhz, 900Mhz, 1800Mhz, 1900Mhz

AFAIK:

• All of the GSM data networks in Thailand support 1800Mhz and 1900Mhz
• Only AIS supports 900Mhz.

Protocol: UMTS/HSDPA (otherwise known as 3G)

Frequencies: 850Mhz, 900Mhz, 1900Mhz, 2100Mhz

AFAIK:

• CAT/Hutch/True use the 850Mhz band.
• AIS uses the 900Mhz band.
• TOT and it's MVNO's use the 1900Mhz band. TOT and AIS have recently signed a deal so that AIS can use the 1900Mhz band.
• The 2100 Mhz band has not been assigned

It depends on where you are in Thailand for 3G support. True covers the largest areas. Whereas TOT and AIS have limited areas in Bangkok, Chang Mai, and Phukett. The link you provided about frequencies is dated and the situation in Thailand is in flux.

Ideally you would want quad band support for both 2G and 3G. Almost all of the current USB modems support quad band 2G. However many only have dual band or tri-band 3G support. There are a few new USB modems that have quad band 3G support.

I can't answer about the other countries you mentioned.

[Trevor25222]

In the end I bought a Zoom 4595 international modem which covers most common frequencies.

It's more expensive than other brands but works very well and downloads faster. It comes unlocked and is compatible with Windows and Mac OS.

Trying to use a Chinese-crap-quality Huawei modem on a Mac is pure brain damage. I gave my Dtac E158 away to a sucker Windows user, ha ha!

When you've gone Mac, you won't go back.

[Jiu-Jitsu]

In the end I bought a Zoom 4595 international modem which covers most common frequencies.

It's more expensive than other brands but works very well and downloads faster. It comes unlocked and is compatible with Windows and Mac OS.

Trying to use a Chinese-crap-quality Huawei modem on a Mac is pure brain damage. I gave my Dtac E158 away to a sucker Windows user, ha ha!

When you've gone Mac, you won't go back.

I assume that you wrote these comments with your tongue firmly planted in your cheek.

First of all, if you had a Windows machine you would not have to run around looking for compatible modems. How much money have you spent on 3G equipment thus far?

Perhaps best not mention the hefty amount spent on your MAC.

Lastly, the Zoom modem is not faster than any other modern modem. It's just a standard HSUPA modem and it too is Made in China.

[BB1950]

I ran across this AT&T Velocity Aircard Option iCON 461 HSPA 3G GPS USB Modem which should work anywhere in the world and for all carriers in Thailand because according to the specs, it's quad band for both 2G and 3G and it is unlocked. The only drawback I see is that it does not support the new faster HSPA+ 14.4 standard.

Here's a review on it:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2369502,00.asp

You can get it on eBay or aircardok.com here in Thailand.

I noticed there are several other suppliers in Thailand.

Google: 3G Aircard Option iCon 461

[Jiu-Jitsu]

I ran across this AT&T Velocity Aircard Option iCON 461 HSPA 3G GPS USB Modem which should work anywhere in the world and for all carriers in Thailand because according to the specs, it's quad band for both 2G and 3G and it is unlocked. The only drawback I see is that it does not support the new faster HSPA+ 14.4 standard.

Here's a review on it:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2369502,00.asp

You can get it on eBay or aircardok.com here in Thailand.

I noticed there are several other suppliers in Thailand.

Google: 3G Aircard Option iCon 461

A good option.

[Trevor25222]

I ran across this AT&T Velocity Aircard Option iCON 461 HSPA 3G GPS USB Modem which should work anywhere in the world and for all carriers in Thailand because according to the specs, it's quad band for both 2G and 3G and it is unlocked. The only drawback I see is that it does not support the new faster HSPA+ 14.4 standard.

The spec seems identical to my Zoom 4595 which comes with a 5" flexible usb spur to adjust the angle. Speed seems dependent mainly on network traffic but reviews claimed faster than rivals. Hard to say how independent they were.

In the UK it's hard to find unlocked international modems which work with a Mac and PC; telecom companies want to sell their own locked product and pretty much corner the high street market. To get what you want you need to pay more than a provider-subsidized modem.

As for Mac prices in the UK, the place to go is eBay and watch out for an independent selling new stock around £188 off retail. That way you'll get a quality Mac machine for a PC price. 50%-faster loading pages and instantaneous trade executions. Absolutely no contest compared with Windows. Only downside: some software and modems are incompatible but there's always a work-around.

[BB1950]

I ran across this AT&T Velocity Aircard Option iCON 461 HSPA 3G GPS USB Modem which should work anywhere in the world and for all carriers in Thailand because according to the specs, it's quad band for both 2G and 3G and it is unlocked. The only drawback I see is that it does not support the new faster HSPA+ 14.4 standard.

The spec seems identical to my Zoom 4595 which comes with a 5" flexible usb spur to adjust the angle. Speed seems dependent mainly on network traffic but reviews claimed faster than rivals. Hard to say how independent they were.

In the UK it's hard to find unlocked international modems which work with a Mac and PC; telecom companies want to sell their own locked product and pretty much corner the high street market. To get what you want you need to pay more than a provider-subsidized modem.

As for Mac prices in the UK, the place to go is eBay and watch out for an independent selling new stock around £188 off retail. That way you'll get a quality Mac machine for a PC price. 50%-faster loading pages and instantaneous trade executions. Absolutely no contest compared with Windows. Only downside: some software and modems are incompatible but there's always a work-around.

Sorry, the specs are not the same! The Zoom modem is Tri-band 3G, not Quad-Band 3G.

The Zoom modem only supports UMTS frequencies 850, 1900, and 2100 MHz

Where the AT&T Velocity Aircard Option iCON 461 HSPA 3G GPS USB Modem all the Bands. It also works with both the Mac and PC.

But who am I tell you anything? Read the specs again.

Mac users seem to know it all! Maybe that's why they buy a Mac?

[Trevor25222]

Zoom 4595

http://zoomtel.com/products/4595_specs.html No 900 & 1800 GHz UMTS

AT&T Velocity Aircard Option iCON 461 HSPA 3G GPS USB Modem

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2369502,00.asp?tab=Specs

I still have the option to return the Zoom modem to Amazon although the Malaysian AT&T on eBay ($98) will cost rather more after customs fees and VAT. I presume the AT&T modem is directed primarily at the USA market, where I never go. Is the lack of 900 & 1800 GHz UMTS likely to be an issue in South-East Asia? Does UMTS automatically revert to slightly slower EDGE or GPRS speeds if the modem lacks the UMTS frequency? Thanks.

[BB1950]

Zoom 4595

http://zoomtel.com/p...4595_specs.html No 900 & 1800 GHz UMTS

AT&T Velocity Aircard Option iCON 461 HSPA 3G GPS USB Modem

http://www.pcmag.com...0.asp?tab=Specs

I still have the option to return the Zoom modem to Amazon although the Malaysian AT&T on eBay ($98) will cost rather more after customs fees and VAT. I presume the AT&T modem is directed primarily at the USA market, where I never go. Is the lack of 900 & 1800 GHz UMTS likely to be an issue in South-East Asia? Does UMTS automatically revert to slightly slower EDGE or GPRS speeds if the modem lacks the UMTS frequency? Thanks.

You still seem to be confused again.

• It's Mhz not GHz.
• There is no 1800 MHz 3G (UMTS/HSPDA) frequency. The 1800MHz frequency is only used for 2G (GSM/GPRS/EDGE).
• 2G (GSM/GPRS/EDGE) frequencies are 850/900/1800/1900 MHz.
• 3G (UMTS/HSDPA) frequencies are 850/900/1900/2100 MHz
• The AT&T modem is not just geared to the USA market. It's truly an international modem. It just happens that in Thailand and the USA, the 850 MHz 3G frequency is used. The most commonly used 3G frequencies are 900/1900/2100 MHz.
• By not having the 900Mhz 3G frequency you will not be able to use AIS (the largest carrier) 3G in Thailand
• If you cannot receive 3G then the modem will automatically switch to 2G.

Presently in Thailand 3G is supported only in limited areas. The following carriers use the following 3G (UMTS/HSDPA) frequencies:

• CAT/True uses 850MHz
• AIS uses 900 or 1900 MHz (depending on the area of support)
• TOT and it's MVNOs use 1900MHz or 2100 MHz (depending on the area of support)

As you can see, in Thailand, it would be ideal if the modem supported quad-band 3G (UMTS/HSDPA). If not, then at least it should support the 850 MHz 3G frequency used by CAT/True. They have the largest area of coverage. But the 850 MHz 3G frequency is kind of odd, it's only used in a few countries.