At&t Service In Thailand?

[purpleorchids]

Hey folks,

Much obliged if anyone has some info on reactivating a US-based AT&T mobile account from Thailand. Specifically, I'm looking for an AT&T customer service phone number in Thailand or even a brick and mortar shop in BKK to help reactivate a phone line. Unable to locate either via websearch.

Just want basic service, like receiving SMS texts. Have an phone 3Gs registered with my account, though wonder if I can reactivate to another non-smart phone, like a basic Nokia. Anyone ever done this? US-based customer service folks I spoke with quoted $80 or more just to reactivate to the iphone (requires data package if smart-phone).

Tried to reactivate online from my AT&T account profile manager, though that didn't work. Any help, advice or guidance in lowest-cost option to reactivate an account to receive SMS texts here in Thailand greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Rachel

[Sayonarax]

Sorry but no country in there right mind would do business with AT&T. Best go online and send them an email or call their office with google voice

[purpleorchids]

thanks for your comment. though at &t does operate here in thailand...

[arkom]

Did you want to receive text messages from a number in Thailand? Wouldn't be easier and cheaper to buy a pre-paid sim card?

[Pib]

thanks for your comment. though at &t does operate here in thailand...

I have no doubt an AT&T cell phone account would allow Thailand-based calls/SMSs, but I expect it would be via their roaming service which means sky high roaming charges....sky high international roaming charges too boot!

[purpleorchids]

re: prepaid SIM. Thanks for your suggestion, I've got a prepaid SIM for Thai calls and texting. What I want to do with my US based phone AT&T phone # is receive a long-awaited text message sent to that phone number (currently in temporary deactivation status).

Yes, that is just one text message I need. The only way to receive this is to reactivate the phone, apparently. This is not a text that can be sent to another number.

Any idea how to reactivate a phone from Thailand or an AT& service # in Thailand?

Many thanks.

[purpleorchids]

Hey pib, thanks.

Yes I want to completely avoid intl roaming charges and any data plan. that was the plan the entire time.

i only want to receive one text message from the US (not from a Thai # or any other #) and unfort. the only option available is reactivating.

[Sayonarax]

re: prepaid SIM. Thanks for your suggestion, I've got a prepaid SIM for Thai calls and texting. What I want to do with my US based phone AT&T phone # is receive a long-awaited text message sent to that phone number (currently in temporary deactivation status).

Yes, that is just one text message I need. The only way to receive this is to reactivate the phone, apparently. This is not a text that can be sent to another number.

Any idea how to reactivate a phone from Thailand or an AT& service # in Thailand?

Many thanks.

If the message has been sent while your account was suspended, then the system wont be keeping your messages. There;s also a time limit on undelivered message before the server deletes them. Wouldn't it be easier for your friend to email you?

How does AT&T operate here? Roaming services does not mean AT&T operates here as a carrier.

[Pib]

re: prepaid SIM. Thanks for your suggestion, I've got a prepaid SIM for Thai calls and texting. What I want to do with my US based phone AT&T phone # is receive a long-awaited text message sent to that phone number (currently in temporary deactivation status).

Yes, that is just one text message I need. The only way to receive this is to reactivate the phone, apparently. This is not a text that can be sent to another number.

Any idea how to reactivate a phone from Thailand or an AT& service # in Thailand?

Many thanks.

If the message has been sent while your account was suspended, then the system wont be keeping your messages. There;s also a time limit on undelivered message before the server deletes them. Wouldn't it be easier for your friend to email you?

How does AT&T operate here? Roaming services does not mean AT&T operates here as a carrier.

Yea, that's my understanding also. Varies from service provider to service provider as to whether they will reattempt a SMS delivery for a few hours or maybe up to a week. This web site says AT&T will attempt redelivery for only 3 days. Link.

[lomatopo]

Has this SMS been sent yet? Unless it is on a phone it cannot be retrieved - SMS is not a guaranteed service and messages are purged after a few attempts at delivery over a short period of time. Can you share any detail? Is this for a OTP?

ATT pre-paid cannot roam to Thailand, ATT post-paid users can roam in Thailand. So assuming you had an active ATT post-paid account you could receive SMSes sent to your ATT U.S.A. number if roamong here in Thailand.

Without a lot more clarity it is challenging to offer alternatives. If the goal is to be able to receive SMSes sent to your old AT&T Wireless number then you could (may be too late for you) port that number in to something like Google Voice, which allows for SMSes to be sent via GMail, among several options. Or you could port to another pre-paid service: AT&T, T-Mo, MVNOs then set up a third-party SMS service which can forward SMSes.

Edited August 31, 2012 by lomatopo

[purpleorchids]

Thanks Pib and lomatopo.

None of these options are available. Can't port to another number or to my Google Voice. AT&T service has been turned off for a few months while I've been traveling. Do I need to turn service back on to port?

Clarity: it's an SMS from an automated system set-up to send a text directly to my (deactivated) phone # to log in to a social tool.

I made the mistake of not canceling this log-in function BEFORE I deactivated my AT&T service. Unfortunately, there is no option to change the phone # for texts within the social tool's account settings. I've attempted countless problem-solving options with the social tool, AT&T and friends and family with who understand technology. Nothing has been successful.

Thanks again.

[lomatopo]

Do I need to turn service back on to port?

I guess, without a clear understanding of your future plans and assuming this is important, I would attempt to re-activate the ATT number/service and then port it out to a new GV number - I do not believe you can port in to an existing number but that may have changed, or at a minimum get the SMS so you can change the social tool contact SMS detail to your GV number. I do not believe SMSes can be automatically forwarded as calls would be, in case you were considering that?

Test that you are satisfied with how GV handles SMSes first. It usually takes less than a second for delivery to my PC, maybe 10 seconds for delivery to my phone via GMail. Not that it matters in your application, but you can reply via GMail for free, and it gets delivered as a true SMS.

Edited September 3, 2012 by lomatopo