Dtac, 3G And Ipad

[tollgate]

I've had an Ipad 1 3G version that I bought in the UK for a while now. Until last week I had never used it on 3G.

Last week I passed the dtac shop in Big C Pattaya Klang. Time to try 3G I thought so purchased a B69 sim and a 70 hours per month data plan.

Returning home, I tried the new sim in the Ipad, but could only get an edge connection. I thought may be I am outside the 3G area (I'm in Huay Yai). A few days later I was heading for Suvarbhumi, tried the Ipad all the way to the airport but still only edge. I checked the spec of the Ipad and it can certainly handle the 850mHz frequency dtac use.

Back to the dtac shop the following week, explained the problem to the girl behind the counter. "I know" she said. Typed my sim card number into her computer, rebooted the Ipad and yes, 3G. Why 3G was not enabled in the first place is still a mystery though.

Back home in Huay Yai - still had 3G, but a speed test only gives me a max download of 450kbps and 150 up. Tried it in a few other locations and the same result. So it seems I only have the 384 kbps service mentioned in the small print of the sim card documentation. Far far short from the advertised headline rate of 42Mbps. I will check this out next time I'm over at Big C.

As a side point, I believe when an Ipad is switched into standby mode, the data connections stays "live". If you are on a time plan you need to turn off cellular data when you have finished using the internet.

[lomatopo]

Time based packages from DTAC/Happy, like most providers, are speed limited from the get-go for obvious reasons. 384Kbps in your case.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Thaivisa Connect App

[tollgate]

Thanks lomatopo. I did not know that.

[lomatopo]

Here is a link to the various Happy (pre-paid) mobile data plans.

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

Note the 384 Kbps cap on time-based plans. 384 Kbps is 3G service, 2G speeds will be more like ~ 180 Kbps. I assume you have configured your device with the required APN details in order to access 3G where available?

DTAC/Happy 3G Coverage map: http://www.dtac.co.th/3g/coverage.php

[nikster]

"As a side point, I believe when an Ipad is switched into standby mode, the data connections stays "live". If you are on a time plan you need to turn off cellular data when you have finished using the internet. "

Yes! I find this a bit annoying even with a data based plan as the iPad eats battery sitting there turned off when I am in an area with bad reception. I wish there was an option to just have it turn off the cell radio when it's on standby, I am not using it as a phone or for real time critical things anyway. Hmm... maybe if one turns off notifications?!

[tollgate]

Here is a link to the various Happy (pre-paid) mobile data plans.

http://www.happy.co....mid=368〈=en

Note the 384 Kbps cap on time-based plans. 384 Kbps is 3G service, 2G speeds will be more like ~ 180 Kbps. I assume you have configured your device with the required APN details in order to access 3G where available?

DTAC/Happy 3G Coverage map: http://www.dtac.co.th/3g/coverage.php

Yes, all configured correctly. As you say, I must be on the 384kbps plan. It's probably fast enough for what I need.

Just wondered what speeds people are getting on a data plan, rather than timed? Anywhere near 42mbps?

[lomatopo]

http://www.google.com/search?q=truemove+H+speedtest&hl=en&prmd=imvns&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=dGD5T4tow9mtB8-57ckG&ved=0CC8Q_AUoAQ&biw=1920&bih=989

I think one can expect 6 (down)/3 Mbps (up) assuming a good location, and a good baseband modem.

The 42 Mbps is the theoretical maximum for TrueMove H's HSPA+ implementation. Obviously at 42 Mbps you'd burn through your fair-use limit rather quickly.