3G Speeds In Thailand And America

[Drew345]

Does anyone have a phone, Thai carrier, and USA carrier combination where they can get 3G speeds in Thailand and America? I am talking about having two SIM cards, one for America and one for Thai. Not talking about roaming. I currently can only get 2G speeds in bith Thailand and in America.

My phone is LG-P350 Optimus (3G on 900 / 2100 MHz)

My Thai carrier is Truemove (3G 850 MHz)

My USA carrier is T-mobile (3G 1700 MHz/2100 MHz

So everything is mismatched and I cannot get 3G anywhere.

Any phone, + Thai carrier + US carrier that all use the same frequencies for 3G?

Thanks,

Drew

[thaicbr]

Nokia

[lomatopo]

There is no direct answer unfortunately.

Are you pre-paid with T-Mo in the U.S.A.?

The simplest solution, and it's not altogether simple, is to get an 850/1900/2100 Mhz 3G capable phone, or even a 850/900/1900/2100 Mhz capable phone; then use TreuMove H or DTAC (prepaid or post paid) in Thailand, and AT&T prepaid in the U.S. AT&T has 3G coverage on 850 or 1900. The iPhone 4 (factory un-locked, although I don't understand the permutations) or Samsung Galaxy SII are quad-band. There is some nuance to getting a non-AT&T iPhone working with AT&T but it can be done.

If you want to go off-brand then many Nokia models are 5-band incl 1700 AWS so would work with T-Mo.

FWIW, I use T-Mo pre-paid in the U.S. but 2G only; I pay $2 per day for unlimited voice, text and data. 2G is fine for me as I have WiFi in most fixed locations which I frequent.

edited to add: you could use AIS/One-2-Call 3G here on 900 Mhz with your current phone.

Edited February 7, 2012 by lomatopo

[Drew345]

Thank you very much for the details!

I use prepaid T-mobile in the US. I also use the $2 a day for unlimited 2G. That would be expensive for someone living in America full time, but for short visits, works out great.

I am not quite ready to go the Iphone route, though they do seem pretty nice.

It seems I can go the Samsung Galaxy SII, and change my US carrier to ATT (I will check if they have short term data prepaid plans)

Or I can get a 5 band Nokia and keep my T-mobile.

Thanks for that info! I will digest it a bit and decide,

Thanks, Drew

[lomatopo]

AT&T does offer pre-paid plans, and you can layer a data feature package onto them; $25 for 500 MB, or a monthly plan. You should make sure they have coverage where you go. AT&T has a hodge-podge of 850, 1900 and LTE.

T-Mo operates 3G on 1700/2100, and has limited coverage. The $3 daily plan includes unlimited data, 3G up to 200 MB, 2G thereafter.

You may want to consider toggling the $2 plan off when you are not in the U.S.; you can do this on the My T-Mo website, then toggle it on when you arrive, or the day before. Some report incoming calls redirected to voice-mail as activiating the daily charge for that day.

[nikster]

iPhone 4 or 4S works on all the frequencies required.

In Thailand, loads of options for 3G - True and True H and AIS all work. True H in particular has pretty good coverage.

In the USA you can get an ATT to go plan and then I think 100MB for $19.90. It's expensive but the best you can get over there. You also have to register your SIM under a different IMEI because they can't know you have an iPhone - and you have to manually set the ATT network settings, as they can't know you have an iPhone. Never tell their customer service you have an iPhone. ATT doesn't support prepaid plans for iPhones. Why? Because they suck. But that's besides the point - you can make it work, just Google it.

Edited February 8, 2012 by nikster

[nikster]

AT&T does offer pre-paid plans, and you can layer a data feature package onto them; $25 for 500 MB, or a monthly plan. You should make sure they have coverage where you go. AT&T has a hodge-podge of 850, 1900 and LTE.

That's better than it used to be! 500MB is actually pretty decent. If you limit larger downloads and software updates to WiFi, that's perfect.

The aTT to-go SIM has a 1 year validity if you load it with $100 - that used to be the best way to keep a temporary SIM in the USA. The SIM can also be reloaded over the internet, very convenient, and good if you're out of the country when it expires.

3G works on the iPhone anywhere in the USA where AT&T actually has 3G - all major metropolitan areas.

Edited February 8, 2012 by nikster

[lomatopo]

iPhone 4 or 4S works on all the frequencies required.

Except, of course T-Mobile (3G/4G), which is one of the options the OP was asking about.

Current AT&T prepaid data feature packs:

Data Feature PackagesAccess the Web, email, social networks, and more! Add to your GoPhone 10¢/Minute Plan, $25 Monthly Plan, or $2/Daily Unlimited Plan. Smartphone users must purchase a data package with any plan to use data services on their device.

$5 for 10 MB

$15 for 100 MB

$25 for 500 MB

This Nokia 701 is penta-band so would work on all the required frequencies... including T-Mo.

Edited February 8, 2012 by lomatopo

[Drew345]

Nice Nokia 701 ! Thanks for that link.

I'm not dead-set on keeping T-mobile in America, but it would be easier; and they've been go to me for 4 or 5 years. I can keep it active for a year for $10 or $20 dollars now (seems AT+T prepaid can keep active by the year too.)

I've been anti apple since I threw my IPod out the window 7 years ago (OK, not really). I have to admit though, my friend's IPhone works better than any android device I've every used. Still, I'm not quite ready to cross over to the dark side just yet.

So Nokia (701 or similar) + Truemove + T-mobile seems to be the combo for me. Thanks so much!

[thaicbr]

Nice Nokia 701 ! Thanks for that link.

I'm not dead-set on keeping T-mobile in America, but it would be easier; and they've been go to me for 4 or 5 years. I can keep it active for a year for $10 or $20 dollars now (seems AT+T prepaid can keep active by the year too.)

I've been anti apple since I threw my IPod out the window 7 years ago (OK, not really). I have to admit though, my friend's IPhone works better than any android device I've every used. Still, I'm not quite ready to cross over to the dark side just yet.

So Nokia (701 or similar) + Truemove + T-mobile seems to be the combo for me. Thanks so much!

Nokia 701 IS NOT on Android....it's Symbian Anna (or Bella can't remember)

[MJo]

Oops, i'm losing it as well

701 is Symbian. Must be Anna as they just announced Belle couple of days ago for upgrades for N8, E7 etc...

There's also Lumia 710 which is Windows Phone 7.5 Mango. Bit more modern looking so if Symbian is a killer...

Lumia 710 bands in US market:

• WCDMA Band II 1900
  
• GSM 1900
  
• GSM 900
  
• WCDMA Band I 2100
  
• GSM 850
  
• WCDMA Band V 850
  
• GSM 1800
  
• WCDMA Band IV 1700
  

Edited February 8, 2012 by MJo

[lomatopo]

Nokia 701 IS NOT on Android....it's Symbian Anna (or Bella can't remember)

The OP asked for "any phone" so I felt obliged to mention the 701 as it seemed like the most cost-effective model which addresses the requirements.

T-Mobile does sell the new Nokia Lumia 710 for $39.95 with a contract and $349 without; I am not sure if these models are somehow tied to T-Mo, and if so, can be un-tied?

I would also recommend more research about T-Mo's 3G/4G availability in the areas you visit, and look to see if people are happy with pre-paid and if anyone is using the Nokia 701 or Lumia 710.The T-Mo plans are bit more comprehensive and less expensive than comparable AT&T plans. For shorter visits, say 15 days or less a daily plan is good, with longer stays one of the monthly options may be better. I have never used the T-Mo 3G/4G network, but I do use their 2G network during every visit and find it acceptable.

[Drew345]

Oh, I checked a bit more into the Symbian. I don't know. It seems that the Nokia 701 may be the last Symbian phone every built. Something about that doesn't seem great.

I found the Nokia 710 (Windows) on the T-mobile website ($349). I checked and they will give the unlock code after 2 month usage. Probably some editing of the mobile network settings could get it picking up 3G on the T-mobile network.

One issue about buying in America and bringing to Thailand though is tethering. In my little bit of experience, a phone bought in Thailand comes with a free teathering app, that then works fine for free teathering in America. But a phone bought in America comes with a teathering app that automacally charges $15 or $20 a month extra (and may have trouble working in Thailand?). Anyway, I am sure there are always other teathering apps around I could find.

So I am leaning toward picking up that Nokia 710 (windows) phone next time in America and register it in Thailand 60 days later.

[lomatopo]

OK, this is the first time you mentioned tethering. Tethering of course introduces additional challenges. What do you mean by tethering? Simply using the phone as a modem, attached to a PC via say USB? Or creating a WiFi hotspot?

Do you want to tether in the U.S.? Thailand? Both?

Tethering is generally independent of the platform. The Nokia 701 (older, Symbian) may require a 3rd party software solution like JoikuSpot; I am not sure about tethering options on WMP 7.5?

You'll also have to review T-Mo's tethering issues/options.

I use an Android phone which supports tethering and Mobile AP I have used both in the U.S. on T-Mo (2G) and in Thailand on TreuMove (old), One-2-Call and Happy.

[MJo]

Talking about sharing your phone data connection via WiFi to other devices Symbian has Joiku as Loma said. Windows phone not available yet in version 7.5 and haven't seen anything yet in market either.

Anyhoo can not figure out how US operators could charge you for that. I.e. sharing via WiFi. How the operator knows your sharing the connection. Other than preventing it all together by blocking WiFi hotspot feature in your phone meaning they need to prevent you from installing apps on your phone...

[lomatopo]

Talking about sharing your phone data connection via WiFi to other devices Symbian has Joiku as Loma said. Windows phone not available yet in version 7.5 and haven't seen anything yet in market either.

Anyhoo can not figure out how US operators could charge you for that. I.e. sharing via WiFi. How the operator knows your sharing the connection. Other than preventing it all together by blocking WiFi hotspot feature in your phone meaning they need to prevent you from installing apps on your phone...

AT&T and Verizon charge extra for tethering and block unauthorized tethering.

[thaicbr]

Talking about sharing your phone data connection via WiFi to other devices Symbian has Joiku as Loma said. Windows phone not available yet in version 7.5 and haven't seen anything yet in market either.

Anyhoo can not figure out how US operators could charge you for that. I.e. sharing via WiFi. How the operator knows your sharing the connection. Other than preventing it all together by blocking WiFi hotspot feature in your phone meaning they need to prevent you from installing apps on your phone...

Be aware that Joikusoft uses 'adhoc' for wifi hotspots. Android does not like adhoc. that's the reason I didn't get a Nokia.

Edited February 10, 2012 by thaicbr

[MJo]

Outch, those evil americans operators Seriously that would not fly in Europe, consumer protection, competition and all. How they block it, are they blocking all apps in your phone or have a deal with Apple, Google etc to block all apps accessing the wifi hotspot feature? Simple unlock of Android would do the trick?

I'm aware of the android limitation on adhoc networks, but if you have android tablet it would make sense to use android phone as well in that case.

[Drew345]

I've used my Thailand Android phone to teather in the US no problem. I understand that if bought in the US, the teather app on the phone will "tell" the service provider when you use it and ring up that extra charge.

Hmm if Windows doesn't have teathering, and Symbian does (Joikuspot?), looks like leaning back to getting Nokia 701 in Thailand and trying to register it on T-mobile in America later.

Wow, not an easy decision

[lomatopo]

You may be able to tether the 701, but not create a WiFi hotspot (Mobile AP in Android-speak) unless you use JoikuSpot. Hard to believe WMP 7.5 doesn't support tethering.

By tether I mean attach the phone to a PC by USB or Bluetooth, and use the phone's 2G or 3G as a modem. Page 120 of the 701 UG PDF indicates this is possible.

[MJo]

All Symbian phones can do it with USB cable or Bluetooth. Sharing via WiFi needs app like Joiku.

WP 7.5 Mango supports also sharing via WiFi, although it is up to the device manufacturer to enable this feature. In my Lumia 800 (from Singapore) it is not enabled. I'm pretty sure i can use it as a modem via USB cable though. For me there is no need so haven't done it yet so not sure how it works. Most likely via Zune.

Learning that US operators are charging extra on this feature it might very well be that Nokia is not enabling it in Lumia phones at least not yet to make the first deals with US operators.