Ais And Dtac Changed Its Trottle Speed To 64Kbps

[infernalman7]

Most people may not be affected by this but if you are a pretty heavy user that keeps using your mobile broadband internet beyonds the "full speed unlimited quota" (which can be something between 1GB-3GB) then you speed will be trottled.

It used to be 256Kbps or 368Kbps

But now both DTAC and AIS changed this to 64Kbps .. without informing its users of-course.

Just letting you all know. This creates quite a stir in Thai forums everywhere.

[bobl]

The beginning of the end of anything resembling fair pricing.

I was surprised that they (I use True-H - 384kbps) throttled at all, and didn't just cut off / revert to "per Mb" pricing as most of the gsm providers in the so-called "developed world" do.

Sad to see the end of a realistically throttled speed here. Hope True-H don't follow suit too soon. It would be very smart of them not to, they'd probably get a very healthy uptake of "churn" (industry term for people ISP/Provider hopping) as people run away from AIS & DTAC. Sadly that would mean their pipes getting clogged faster and them seizing the opportunity once they've got a bunch of people on board to also start more severe throttling.

The markup on data on 3g is quite staggering if you do the math, rivalled only by the profit margin on an sms...

[lomatopo]

Actually the OP is not correct, except in one case.

Yes, DTAC/Happy did change the terms on one, single unlimited package, 399 baht/1 GB. Previously the fair-use speed was 384 kbps, now it is 64 kbps. I changed to this plan when it was first introduced, and when I saw this change a few weeks ago (I did highlight it in one or more relevant threads) registered a complaint and was informed my package will be honored, so 384 Kbps for me. It remains to be seen if they actually do that, but I am also a bit careful on usage switching to WiFi where available.

All of DTAC/Happy's other unlimited plans retain the 384 Kbps fair-use speed (daily, weekly, 3 GB and 5 GB).

AIS/One-2-Call's unlimited plans (3 GB, 5 GB) retain the 384 Kbps fair-use speed.

TrueMove H's unlimited plans (3 GB, 5 GB and 10 GB) all have a fair-use speed of 128 Kbps.

http://www.happy.co.th/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=333&Itemid=368〈=en

http://www.ais.co.th/mobileinternet/en/internet-package/#2

http://www.truemove-h.com/prepay/prepay-topping.aspx

[bobl]

TrueMove H's unlimited plans (3 GB, 5 GB and 10 GB) all have a fair-use speed of 128 Kbps.

Yikes! Is that a recent move on their part or a misprint?

I'm currently 25Gb into my 5Gb package and still getting ~384kbps no problem...

Edit: Yes that's the Thai site that says 128Kbps. I much prefer the English site. "384Mbps"

Edited March 22, 2012 by bobl

[lomatopo]

TrueMove H's unlimited plans (3 GB, 5 GB and 10 GB) all have a fair-use speed of 128 Kbps.

Yikes! Is that a recent move on their part or a misprint?

I'm currently 25Gb into my 5Gb package and still getting ~384kbps no problem...

Edit: Yes that's the Thai site that says 128Kbps. I much prefer the English site. "384Mbps"

One would assume that they are honoring your original plan, for this month anyway. I suspect that they see, what one might term 'excessive', users like yourself and then invoke lower fair-use speeds, for all customers. They probably have to do this to insure decent bandwidth for everyone?

[bobl]

One would assume that they are honoring your original plan, for this month anyway. I suspect that they see, what one might term 'excessive', users like yourself and then invoke lower fair-use speeds, for all customers. They probably have to do this to insure decent bandwidth for everyone?

Ummm... Yeah, but not really. I was an ISP in a past life so I can tell you that the math to determine your capacity requirements versus your number of customers is extremely complicated, and isn't really affected a huge amount by "power users" such as myself.

Of course the metrics HAVE shifted slightly with a lot more people downloading a lot bigger things but the math still holds out - just the "averages" have shifted upwards a bit. But as the averages have shifted upwards, bandwidth costs (bulk) have shifted downwards so it evens out.

No, it's not really what they consider "fair use" that's the issue. The issue is plain and simply, that mobile phones (and now mobile data) has always been an industry of outrageously high profit margins and they're not going to let go of that anytime soon. 1Mbps should be costing them around $25 to $40/month. 1Mbps equates to a capacity of 300Gb/Month of data. 300Gb @ $6/Gb is $1,800 - revenue per 1Mbps of bandwidth. Cost - $25-40. Sell: $1,800. Grossly oversimplified figures but good enough for illustrative purposes.

[lomatopo]

One would assume that they are honoring your original plan, for this month anyway. I suspect that they see, what one might term 'excessive', users like yourself and then invoke lower fair-use speeds, for all customers. They probably have to do this to insure decent bandwidth for everyone?

Ummm... Yeah, but not really. I was an ISP in a past life so I can tell you that the math to determine your capacity requirements versus your number of customers is extremely complicated, and isn't really affected a huge amount by "power users" such as myself.

Of course the metrics HAVE shifted slightly with a lot more people downloading a lot bigger things but the math still holds out - just the "averages" have shifted upwards a bit. But as the averages have shifted upwards, bandwidth costs (bulk) have shifted downwards so it evens out.

No, it's not really what they consider "fair use" that's the issue. The issue is plain and simply, that mobile phones (and now mobile data) has always been an industry of outrageously high profit margins and they're not going to let go of that anytime soon. 1Mbps should be costing them around $25 to $40/month. 1Mbps equates to a capacity of 300Gb/Month of data. 300Gb @ $6/Gb is $1,800 - revenue per 1Mbps of bandwidth. Cost - $25-40. Sell: $1,800. Grossly oversimplified figures but good enough for illustrative purposes.

While I'm sure these numbers make sense to you I am not sure they are at all relevant to the current mobile broadband situation in Thailand.

[infernalman7]

Actually the OP is not correct, except in one case.

Yes, DTAC/Happy did change the terms on one, single unlimited package, 399 baht/1 GB. Previously the fair-use speed was 384 kbps, now it is 64 kbps. I changed to this plan when it was first introduced, and when I saw this change a few weeks ago (I did highlight it in one or more relevant threads) registered a complaint and was informed my package will be honored, so 384 Kbps for me. It remains to be seen if they actually do that, but I am also a bit careful on usage switching to WiFi where available.

All of DTAC/Happy's other unlimited plans retain the 384 Kbps fair-use speed (daily, weekly, 3 GB and 5 GB).

AIS/One-2-Call's unlimited plans (3 GB, 5 GB) retain the 384 Kbps fair-use speed.

TrueMove H's unlimited plans (3 GB, 5 GB and 10 GB) all have a fair-use speed of 128 Kbps.

http://www.happy.co....mid=368〈=en

http://www.ais.co.th...rnet-package/#2

http://www.truemove-...ay-topping.aspx

Called AIS. All fair-use speeds are 64Kbps

Not all the pages on their site are up-to-date.

[msgtb]

CAT is much better and I haven't been throttled at all. AIS was a joke they throttled me after 10 days into the billing period same usage and no throttling on CAT.

msgtb

Posted with Thaivisa App http://apps.thaivisa.com

[Heimdallr]

In the case of DTAC it's only for the 1GB package. Silly limitations, but I suppose its' purpose is to encourage people to pay for the more expensive package since the 1GB has been very popular.

[bobl]

While I'm sure these numbers make sense to you I am not sure they are at all relevant to the current mobile broadband situation in Thailand.

They're fairly relevant wherever you are in the world - users' habits are pretty much the same the world over.

Also the same the world over - hardline data (ISP) connectivity to home is getting cheaper and cheaper (or faster and faster for the same money), whilst Mobile data connectivity is still a (relatively) very expensive luxury...

[infernalman7]

UPDATE: I asked AIS again and they say for now the 64Kbps speed trottling is only on the plans that include voice/text/data. The data only plan isn't affected as of today.

[infernalman7]

While I'm sure these numbers make sense to you I am not sure they are at all relevant to the current mobile broadband situation in Thailand.

They're fairly relevant wherever you are in the world - users' habits are pretty much the same the world over.

Also the same the world over - hardline data (ISP) connectivity to home is getting cheaper and cheaper (or faster and faster for the same money), whilst Mobile data connectivity is still a (relatively) very expensive luxury...

Yup. This is true because bandwidth and frequencies are "limited resources" and with AIS it only has 15Mhz room on the mobile frequencies which isn't a lot at all! Hence why 3G data in Bangkok practically doesn't work at all for AIS.

[lomatopo]

CAT is much better and I haven't been throttled at all. AIS was a joke they throttled me after 10 days into the billing period same usage and no throttling on CAT.

msgtb

Posted with Thaivisa App http://apps.thaivisa.com

It might help if you shared the details of the plan(s) which are not throttled?

According to http://www.mybycat.c...hp?id=14&sid=44 and http://www.mybycat.c...hp?id=14&sid=43 any/all CAT My 3G unlimited plans have a fair-use speed limmit of 384 Kbps.

While I'm sure these numbers make sense to you I am not sure they are at all relevant to the current mobile broadband situation in Thailand.

They're fairly relevant wherever you are in the world - users' habits are pretty much the same the world over.

Also the same the world over - hardline data (ISP) connectivity to home is getting cheaper and cheaper (or faster and faster for the same money), whilst Mobile data connectivity is still a (relatively) very expensive luxury...

This very statement indicates that you are not at all familiar with either mobile broadband provisioning nor with the intricacies of the local concessions.

UPDATE: I asked AIS again and they say for now the 64Kbps speed trottling is only on the plans that include voice/text/data. The data only plan isn't affected as of today.

To me, again relying on published information, it looks like some of the AIS (GSM Advance) POST-PAID plans with 'unlimited data' have a fair-use speed limit of 64 Kbps. http://www.ais.co.th...e_Packages.aspx I can't say if those limits are new or not as I have no history with those services. Given what people are saying about AIS/One-2-Call's 3G service 64 Kbps might be a step up in performance.

Edited March 23, 2012 by lomatopo

[wana]

i dont appear to throttled

im with ais and ive used 5-7+ GB on the 3GB unlimited package some months

definately havent been throttled to 64kbs yet

they are going to have to stop using the word unlimited so freely ,especialy if it slows to 64thb

i suppose TIT and if they cant be bothered to update the terms and conditions of their own website

then nothing will come of complaining about it anyway

[lomatopo]

i dont appear to throttled

im with ais and ive used 5-7+ GB on the 3GB unlimited package some months

definately havent been throttled to 64kbs yet

they are going to have to stop using the word unlimited so freely ,especialy if it slows to 64thb

i suppose TIT and if they cant be bothered to update the terms and conditions of their own website

then nothing will come of complaining about it anyway

Are you on a post-paid plan?

The 799 baht/3 GB unlimited plan on AIS/One-2-Call still shows as "*After 3G is used up, the customers are available to access unlimited Internet at 384 kbps."

So you should be slowed to 384 Kbps once you go over 3 GB. I guess it wouldn't surprise me if they hadn't figured out how to monitor/implement this for your account yet.

[wana]

i dont appear to throttled

im with ais and ive used 5-7+ GB on the 3GB unlimited package some months

definately havent been throttled to 64kbs yet

they are going to have to stop using the word unlimited so freely ,especialy if it slows to 64thb

i suppose TIT and if they cant be bothered to update the terms and conditions of their own website

then nothing will come of complaining about it anyway

Are you on a post-paid plan?

The 799 baht/3 GB unlimited plan on AIS/One-2-Call still shows as "*After 3G is used up, the customers are available to access unlimited Internet at 384 kbps."

So you should be slowed to 384 Kbps once you go over 3 GB. I guess it wouldn't surprise me if they hadn't figured out how to monitor/implement this for your account yet.

maybe its gets throtled to 384 ,that would still be a useable speed for me on a phone but 64 kps would have me looking at other packages /providors immediately

(i am on the 799 thb package btw )

[Dario]

Hi everyone,

well, I'm on a TRUE-H 999 Baht 5GB unlimited package and always enjoyed 300+ KB/s beyond. BUT:

since last night about 20:00 I get almost nothing, only about 20-30 KB. Sometimes nothing, that I can't even see who's online on Skype. It was so all day long today and still is. I just spent quite some time with the TRUE 1331 service. I was told that they are applying "fair usage policy. Yes, I said, but that is 384KB. Yes, but 384 KB is the maximum, but if there are many users in your area that speed can drop. I askedKhun Tamaiporn who was the Senior officer in charge (supervisor was in a meeting) to check if they were doing some work in my area (northern Surin province) which could be the culprit. She said there was nothing reported.

So, they might throttle down at TRUE-H as well! If that is true, what a bunch of loonies.

[Dario]

TrueMove H's unlimited plans (3 GB, 5 GB and 10 GB) all have a fair-use speed of 128 Kbps.

Is that really so, lomatopo? 128Kbps! Today I mostly got 20 KB on my iPhone4S. How about that? When I bought the phone it was advertised 384 Kbps fair usage. Where are we going??

Strangely, whenever TRUE-H sends me a message, they write in Thai which I can't read), except when they start the fair usage period and when they send the bill. This month I got a staggering 1.550 Baht bill with my 5GB package. They said I made phone calls over my 500 minute limit. I really can't believe this I hardly ever use the telephone to call. They will send me a detailed breakdown by post for a 30 Baht fee.

Since last night about 22:00 I enjoy a speed of about 20-30 KB ... Wait, as more people join the network with more iPhones and iPads sold ... The problem is: I have no alternative as there is no cable Internet here.

[lomatopo]

Hi everyone,

well, I'm on a TRUE-H 999 Baht 5GB unlimited package and always enjoyed 300+ KB/s beyond. BUT:

It would help if you could be very detailed and precise. Maybe even provide a link to the plan you are on?

It would also help if you could use standard acronyms, like Kbps/Mbps (kilo-bits per second or mega-bits per second). When you use KB/s that represents Kilo-Bytes per second.

I am guessing here that you are on a post-paid, contract plan, a "Free to Surf & Talk" plan for the iPhone, specifically the XXL package for 999 baht/month, for which you get 500 minutes of calling, 300 SMSes, 50 MMSes, Unlimited WiFi and 5 GB of fair-use 3G, after which your speed drops to a maximum of 384 Kbps, according to the English language TM-H web-pages. On the Thai versions the fair-use speed limits are 128 Kbps. Who knows what their intent is?

It seems like you have two issues? Fair-use speed and issues with your bill? Maybe you could turn off all applications, do a speedtest and post the results, remembering that 384 Kbps is the maximum speed you can achieve once you go over 5 GB. In reality it is not unreasonable to assume that your actual speed may be something less than 384 Kbps. 20 KB/s would equate to 160 Kbps.

[Dario]

Hi everyone,

well, I'm on a TRUE-H 999 Baht 5GB unlimited package and always enjoyed 300+ KB/s beyond. BUT:

It would help if you could be very detailed and precise. Maybe even provide a link to the plan you are on?

It would also help if you could use standard acronyms, like Kbps/Mbps (kilo-bits per second or mega-bits per second). When you use KB/s that represents Kilo-Bytes per second.

I am guessing here that you are on a post-paid, contract plan, a "Free to Surf & Talk" plan for the iPhone, specifically the XXL package for 999 baht/month, for which you get 500 minutes of calling, 300 SMSes, 50 MMSes, Unlimited WiFi and 5 GB of fair-use 3G, after which your speed drops to a maximum of 384 Kbps, according to the English language TM-H web-pages. On the Thai versions the fair-use speed limits are 128 Kbps. Who knows what their intent is?

It seems like you have two issues? Fair-use speed and issues with your bill? Maybe you could turn off all applications, do a speedtest and post the results, remembering that 384 Kbps is the maximum speed you can achieve once you go over 5 GB. In reality it is not unreasonable to assume that your actual speed may be something less than 384 Kbps. 20 KB/s would equate to 160 Kbps.

This is the 5th time I try to reply with my mind blowing Internet speed I presently enjoy, but it is a major undertaking! Sorry lomatopo, I will use Kbps and Mbps to make everyone happy and to be ciorrect. To find the correct link is also nearly impossible right now, but you are correct, I'm using the "Free to Surf & Talk" plan for the iPhone, specifically the XXL package for 999 baht/month. I also made a speedtest like you suggested at 17:52 and here are the results:

Down: 0.01 Mbps Up: 0.00 Mbps

Fantastic! I try to attach a picture but that won't be possible right now, I guess.

Woaw, I succeeded!

[Online]

I use the Dtac 399B 1GB 3G package, I topped up 2 days ago, not knowing anything about this 'speed change', I recieved a SMS text message today saying that I had used up my 1GB 3G allowance and that my speed is now restricted to a maximum of 64kbps. The speed is now so slow that I can bearly browse the internet, it took me ten minutes to create the speedtest.net test below and another 10 minutes to log into thaivisa.com and upload this message!

I've emailed Dtac a complaint and await an answer, I've told them to reinstate the 384kbps speed or face written complaint from Consumer Protection in Bangkok, the speed now is an absolute joke, a real nightmare, its like going back to the old 56k dialup days! If you are thinking of signing up with Dtac please take my advice and stay away from this greedy company. I love the 42mbps posters they lovingly put up all over Thailand, what a joke they are TIT

[Dario]

the speed now is an absolute joke, a real nightmare, its like going back to the old 56k dialup days!

You took the words right out of my mouth! 56Kbps was better, I don't even get that now.

[Online]

I'd like to thank Jon eddy abdullah, CEO of Dtac for taking me back to the days of Dialup speeds, however still charging me 399B per month. Well done!

[mightyharriss]

I just spoke to Dtac, the girl said to me that they had to drop to 64 kbps because people were abusing the service... Why am I not surprised by this

[Dario]

IMO, we don't need speeds of 3,5 or 7 or even 42MB (as advertised everywhere!) on our mobile phones. During 12 days in March I had speeds up to 7.2MB and for the remainder of my billing cycle I get 1/20 of this speed. It would be much better to have 384 KB all month long and forget about those lightning speeds we actually don't need. I never got 384, usually about 300 or 320 but this is a good speed to work with.

The 3 big carriers launched expensive advertising campaigns full of promises >> "UNLIMITED" to get megatons of users to sign up, now they suffocate us

Now it's already not a workable speed anymore. It's unacceptable. You can have 1'000 apps on your phone and none will load anymore. Not that it bothers me. I use the iPhone's Internet because I cannot get cable Internet where I live. As more users get online it will even get worse.

You'll see, not long and they will charge us to have the iPhone's Personal Hotspot enabled. Today it's still free, but I truly believe that soon we'll be charged for that as well.

[lomatopo]

I use the Dtac 399B 1GB 3G package, I topped up 2 days ago, not knowing anything about this 'speed change', I recieved a SMS text message today saying that I had used up my 1GB 3G allowance and that my speed is now restricted to a maximum of 64kbps.

I agree that it is unfortunate that DTAC/HAppy changed the fair-use speed limit of this one, single plan: 1 GB/399 baht, form 384 Kbps to 64 Kbps, as I subscribed to this plan. When I saw this change I immediately contacted them and asked them to honor the original fair-use speed limit of 384 Kbps. Even though they have the right to change the terms and conditions per the agreement we agreed to when we signed on as subscribers, for example see item #13 from the Happy Internet Packages:

13. The service provider reserves the right to change any detail of this promotion as deemed appropriate.

http://www.happy.co.th/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=333&Itemid=368〈=en

they said they would honor 384 Kbps for my account. Whether they actually do this remains to be seen. To be honest I closely monitor and manage my 3G usage so as to stay at or under 1 GB for each month.

Given that we agreed to these terms I am not sure how effective "... written complaint from Consumer Protection in Bangkok" (whatever that might be?) will be?

The 3 GB/650 baht 'unlimited' plan seems to retain the 384 Kbps fair-use speed limit, and may be a reasonable option for some? For post-paid users the Smartphone 699 package may be an option? I am considering changing to this one. It includes 350 minutes to all networks and 1 GB of 3G data with 384 Kbps fair-use

[Dario]

The 3 GB/650 baht 'unlimited' plan seems to retain the 384 Kbps fair-use speed limit, and may be a reasonable option for some? For post-paid users the Smartphone 699 package may be an option? I am considering changing to this one. It includes 350 minutes to all networks and 1 GB of 3G data with 384 Kbps fair-use

In how many days do you usually have used up your 1GB high speed? This billing cycle I used up my TRUE-H 5GB up in exactly 12 days, then it was fair usage. I must say, I have my Internet on all day long, but shut it about 22:00 and I do not download torrents during the time I use up my 5GB. You might not have your Internet open so much, although you are omni-present across all sub forums, I noticed. Have a look at this post here over in the Isaan forum. What vpi78 says about his DTAC 3G connection with a 500 Baht plan sounds interesting.

[Online]

I have emailed the complaint to Dtac via their website, a statement mentioned they would respond to my email within 24 hours, guess what?

[lomatopo]

In how many days do you usually have used up your 1GB high speed?

30 days. My application is smartphone/mobile broadband.

I have DSL, and WiFi, at home, where I might download ~ 250 GB each month.