Land Line

[JohnC]

I have followed all the threads on adsl etc and think I have worked out what would be best, however before I get to that point I need a land line! Any recommends on what company is best or is there only one choice? Where do I go in Pattaya to apply for a line and do they provide the phone as they used to in UK ? Any indication on time scale would be helpful.

Last question! will my UK phone work if I bring it over?

Thanks guys.

[johng]

You have two choices for your phone line, TOT or TT@T

It's been said that TT&T can get you a line quicker...??

The TT&T office is on the second floor of the Carefour supermarket in central Pattaya..you'll need to show your rental agreement or house book to get the line from them ( or put it in a Thais name )

The TOT office is very near the junction of South Pattaya road and third road ( it has a very tall arial on the building you can hardly miss it )

its said they are slower in getting you a line..but I heard ( from a Thai ) that you don't need to show any house papers..just give them the address.

As to which one to choose well that can sometimes all depend on where you are situated..you may not ( without a long wait ) have a choice.

Your UK phone should work here..however they do normaly throw in a free phone when you apply for your line..

I have had TT&T lines in 2 locations.. both where up and running within 2 weeks..

The TOT cybergold internet package has had good speed reports on this forum, but is only available with a TOT line..so may I suggest you try to get a TOT line.

[MP5]

The TOT cybergold internet package has had good speed reports on this forum, but is only available with a TOT line..so may I suggest you try to get a TOT line.

I am using same most impressed on day 2!

Now I know what high speed internet means!

[Kerryd]

The TOT cybergold internet package has had good speed reports on this forum, but is only available with a TOT line..so may I suggest you try to get a TOT line.

I am using same most impressed on day 2!

Now I know what high speed internet means!

I was somewhat spoiled. In Canada I had a cable modem. Much faster than ADSL and you didn't have to mess around with getting a phone installed. But, I find the ADSL here almost as good (except for downloading large files maybe).

As for the phone line.

I went to the TOT office with my landlady's sister. Didn't need to show any house or residency paperwork. In fact, the TOT rep and the sister filled out the paperwork and I signed where they told me to, then we went home. About a week later TOT called me to come and pay for the installation.

They originally told me it would be done in about 2 weeks.

I paid about 3,600 baht (to TOT) to have a new line installed, as there wasn't a previous phone line into my apartment. I thought that price included the ADSL modem, but was mistaken as I found out later.

It took awhile to get done (apparently they got back-logged over the Christmas/New Years period).

Once the line was installed, I waited for them to come hook up the ADSL modem. After around 10 days, we called them and that's when I found out I hadn't bought the modem like I thought I'd done.

Bought the modem and hooked it up myself. Worked fine for about 3 hours. Took 3 days to figure out the problem (in the ADSL configuration, there is a spot where you have to enter a user name. The ADSL pamphlet they give you says to use "Guest". That's wrong. It's the serial number of the modem, followed by the "@" symbol and a web address. Kind of like an email address.

Took my Thai friends forever to figure it out, as they didn't have a clue what the "@" symbol was. I should have talked to the TOT rep myself).

Once that was sorted out though, every thing has been cherry since then (except for maybe 2 short periods where the connection sucked).

I'm on the 1,000 baht/month, 1024/512 kbps plan. I've received bills for my phone line, but not for the internet connection. Guess I'll have to go there soon and straighten that out before they cut my service (for not paying a bill that they haven't sent me ! )

[JohnC]

Many thanks guys that was most helpful, I have my house book so will pursue TOT and adsl.

[monty]

JohnC,

Do confirm first that TOT has ADSL in your area! They have a paper on the wall behind the two tables on the left when you enter, with the sois and areas covered by adsl.

The adsl coverage of TT&T is quite a bit bigger, so don't despair if TOT doesn't have adsl at your houses area!

ADSL through TT&T tends to be a bit more expensive and is capped at 512kbps (for the cheaper packages anyway). However, customer service tends to be a bit better, and they have fancy phones available with callerID and SMS messaging capability!

[Kerryd]

JohnC,

Do confirm first that TOT has ADSL in your area! They have a paper on the wall behind the two tables on the left when you enter, with the sois and areas covered by adsl.

The adsl coverage of TT&T is quite a bit bigger, so don't despair if TOT doesn't have adsl at your houses area!

ADSL through TT&T tends to be a bit more expensive and is capped at 512kbps (for the cheaper packages anyway). However, customer service tends to be a bit better, and they have fancy phones available with callerID and SMS messaging capability!

I never checked TOT's coverage area when I went in. Never even thought about it. Wonder what they would have charged me if I was outside their area ? (I can imagine. Probably install some new poles and miles of telephone line, then bill it all to me !)

TOT didn't provide a phone either (khee nio #########).

What is TT&T charging for their service ?

[Mobi]

Line connection was 3,400 baht

Cost of running the cables to my house from the nearest point was 4,200 baht

I once brought a phone/fax to Thailand from the UK and it didn't work properly. Handsets are so cheap here, I wouldn't bother if were you.

Can anyone tell me why I get all my bills from TOT when I have a TT&T line?

Or am I going crazy?

[Noel]

Can anyone tell me why I get all my bills from TOT when I have a TT&T line?

Or am I going crazy?

Worry not, Mobi, TOT do the billing for TT&T.

A rather incestuous arrangement though, some might say...

[think_too_mut]

Just today, I saw an ad at the reception of View Talay B2 (there are many buildings like that, this one is near FoodMart) where it says:

Phone line 3600B

ADSL Modem 1900B

Installation 1500 B

and some more....

altogether from zero to full ADSL capable phone was 7600B. Probably some markup is in there.

[MP5]

TOT

Have a special at the moment

Free installation which I did over the phone already had the line and the package goes on the phone bill

Initial outlay 1900 for the modem

[alexth]

MP5, do you know if they are opened on Saturdays and Sundays? Thanks

[MP5]

I think we have been there on a Saturday before to pay a bill.

I honestly can't remember and don't know.

If your not to far away might be worth a visit even if its only to book and get the modem if you need one.

I'm around tomorrow I'll pm you if I get the chance to swing in and see if they are open.That would be a handy posting!

All the utility service centre numbers and when they're open!

[MP5]

They're open 1/2 day Saturday sorry I'm a bit late here Alexth.

[alexth]

They're open 1/2 day Saturday sorry I'm a bit late here Alexth.

Thanks for the info MP5, I'll check it out on Monday, obviously I didn't woke up early enough on Saturday . Thanks anyway!

[chingching]

Kerryd,

When did u apply for DSL with TOT, I applied this past Friday and was told it would likely be 3 months or longer to get. The phone line has been in from my landlord a long time already, thx

[Kerryd]

Kerryd,

When did u apply for DSL with TOT, I applied this past Friday and was told it would likely be 3 months or longer to get. The phone line has been in from my landlord a long time already, thx

Is your phone line already connected (i.e. can you make/receive calls ?). Is it in your name ? If it is, I can't see it being 3 months for the ADSL connection

It should only take a week to 10 days for them to set that up at the most.

I originally applied for a (new) phone line and ADSL connection at the same time, around 8/9 December 05.

I was asked to come in and pay for the installation on 19 Dec (3,584.50 baht).

They said it would be done in 10-14 days (right during the Christmas/New Years period). After a few phone calls, I finally had the phone line installed on 7 Jan 06.

Waited for awhile for them to come with the modem and hook everything up. After a few more phone calls I found out I hadn't actually paid for a modem. The 3,500+ baht I had paid was just for the new phone line.

Bought the modem on 24 Jan. Set it up according to their pamphlet. It worked for 3 hours. Took a few more phone calls before we finally got things running properly (would have been sooner, but of all the people in my building, I'm the only one that knows anything about computers, and the only one that DOESN'T speak Thai !)

Any ways. It's been up and running fine since then (27 Jan). Total time about 6 weeks.