Broadband Suppliers

[JayBlake]

I'm considering getting broadband Internet access installed at my TG's house as it will be useful to me when we holiday there and also allow us (her) to communicate better between the UK and the mafia family in Thailand.

Can anyone offer advice as to best provider along with monthly charges and setup costs?

Should I bring my own wireless router and extenders etc over, or can I obtain them easily and cheaply enough in Thailand?

Be grateful for any help offered.

[Langsuan Man]

Where, where ,where ?

Without that information we will be shooting blind

In most cases you can get all the equipment here in Thailand at less or the same cost as overseas

I hasten to add, that your choice may be limited by what Internet provider is available where your GF lives

[barryw52]

You don't say where the house is located. InBKK and any of the larger cities ADSL is available for around the 599THB for6-8Mbps unlimited download per month. You need a phone line from TOT 100THB add7% Vat to both figures. As long as the copper cables in the area are ok it willget a reliable service. I used both TOT and True and both supplied theRouter with True it was a wireless Router. I have also swapped for my ownrouter as I wanted 80211G Wireless. Your generally on 12 month contractif you cancel early you have to pay for the router. I have not paidinstallation fees on either services but it depends a little what deals are onat the time.

[JayBlake]

Sorry, I didn't realise it was a regional thing.

Her home is in Kanchanaburi.

Not far from the River Kwai bridge.

Hope that helps.

[BB1950]

Depends on where in Kanchanaburi. Some areas don't have internet or phone service. Better to talk to your TG to check into it.

[JayBlake]

Thanks for the replies.

What's a typical monthly/annual cost for domestic Broadband in your region, i.e. what are other ex-pat members paying?

Just wondering if it's worth setting it up permanent or whether it's best to just get a pay-as-you-go service while I'm there.

[BB1950]

What's a typical monthly/annual cost for domestic Broadband in your region, i.e. what are other ex-pat members paying?

Just wondering if it's worth setting it up permanent or whether it's best to just get a pay-as-you-go service while I'm there.

Again the monthly rates depend on the kind of service you can get. Typical rates run from 599 baht and up + 7% VAT per month. It is usually unlimited usage. TOT requires you to pay for a phone service of min of 100 baht + 7% VAT per month. 3BB and True do not have this requirement. There may be some cable TV services that offer broadband internet

If there is no cable run to the house, you may have to pay expensive installation charges. Again, it depends on the area. Also keep in mind in some areas the lines are full and you may have to wait up to 5 years. Best for your TGF to check out for sure.

There is no pay as you go wired broadband service. You usually have to sign a 1 year contract, but you are billed monthly. It's usually not annual billing. Only the cable providers do an annual billing.

There usually is no high speed wireless service in rural areas. But there might be CAT CDMA wireless service in that area.

About the only thing that you can count on is a GPRS or EDGE service and that you can do on a pay as you go service. But the speeds are very slow. GPRS - 55Kbps, EDGE - 220Kbps. EDGE is not available in all areas.

It won't do you much good to ask these questions on Thai Visa. Not many members in the Kanchanaburi area. Your TGF really needs to check to see what's available, wait times, prices, etc...

When it comes to internet or phone service, Thailand is in the dark ages. That is why mobile phones and SMS are so popular for the locals. But there are some areas you may not get a signal. Forget about using your smartphone.in the rural areas.

[JayBlake]

What's a typical monthly/annual cost for domestic Broadband in your region, i.e. what are other ex-pat members paying?

Just wondering if it's worth setting it up permanent or whether it's best to just get a pay-as-you-go service while I'm there.

Again the monthly rates depend on the kind of service you can get. Typical rates run from 599 baht and up + 7% VAT per month. It is usually unlimited usage. TOT requires you to pay for a phone service of min of 100 baht + 7% VAT per month. 3BB and True do not have this requirement. There may be some cable TV services that offer broadband internet

If there is no cable run to the house, you may have to pay expensive installation charges. Again, it depends on the area. Also keep in mind in some areas the lines are full and you may have to wait up to 5 years. Best for your TGF to check out for sure.

There is no pay as you go wired broadband service. You usually have to sign a 1 year contract, but you are billed monthly. It's usually not annual billing. Only the cable providers do an annual billing.

There usually is no high speed wireless service in rural areas. But there might be CAT CDMA wireless service in that area.

About the only thing that you can count on is a GPRS or EDGE service and that you can do on a pay as you go service. But the speeds are very slow. GPRS - 55Kbps, EDGE - 220Kbps. EDGE is not available in all areas.

It won't do you much good to ask these questions on Thai Visa. Not many members in the Kanchanaburi area. Your TGF really needs to check to see what's available, wait times, prices, etc...

When it comes to internet or phone service, Thailand is in the dark ages. That is why mobile phones and SMS are so popular for the locals. But there are some areas you may not get a signal. Forget about using your smartphone.in the rural areas.

Great, clear, advice. Thank you.