Mobile Phone Monthly Plan

[ChiangMai2012]

Constantly topping up. Wondering if getting a monthly plan might actually be cheaper. First question I guess would be do monthly talk/SMS plans exist here.

I have a smartphone, but could take or leave data. Assuming there are monthly options, what are they, which one's the best?

Thanks.

[Upnotover]

Yes they exist but there are dozens, probably hundreds to chose from. Mine is AIS, unlimited 3G, 500 mins talk, 500 sms, THB839/month. There are a lot for less than that if you don't need 3G.

[bobl]

There are almost too many to choose from. I'd suggest instead of jumping in with both feet, first try with a modest 'bundle' and see how you get on.

Smartphone or just voice/sms? Most of them have bundles for "net", "voice" or "smart" (net & voice), which may or may not also include an sms bundle.

True-H (just for example) have voice packages from b299 for 400 minutes. If you find it runs out too quick there's bigger ones up to b899 for 1200 minutes.

Most of the providers have a similar list of a thousand packages, bundles and plans to wade through...

[sbk]

Moving to mobile phone forum

[lomatopo]

I think you need to have a feel for your monthly usage before you can make choice between pre- and post-paid.

Post-paid (contract) plans start to become cost-effective, generally speaking, once you have over 150 minutes and 1 GB of mobile data per month.

Some service providers do offer discounted promotional post-paid plans, for new customers (or for customers who transition from pre-paid to post-paid). DTAC currently has 100 and 200 baht monthly discounts, for the entire term of the contract, on some post paid 'smartphone' bundles.

http://www.dtac.co.th/en/postpaid/products/smartphone.html

[bobl]

I think you need to have a feel for your monthly usage before you can make choice between pre- and post-paid.

Post-paid (contract) plans start to become cost-effective, generally speaking, once you have over 150 minutes and 1 GB of mobile data per month.

Some service providers do offer discounted promotional post-paid plans, for new customers (or for customers who transition from pre-paid to post-paid). DTAC currently has 100 and 200 baht monthly discounts, for the entire term of the contract, on some post paid 'smartphone' bundles.

http://www.dtac.co.th/en/postpaid/products/smartphone.html

I see from that link DTAC are still claiming to have a FUP of 384kbps, but weren't there reports they'd nuked it down to 64kbps?

Have they perhaps just not bothered to change that page? It does seem rather out of date (the 'monthly discount' offer expired 31/12/2012)

[lomatopo]

I think you need to have a feel for your monthly usage before you can make choice between pre- and post-paid.

Post-paid (contract) plans start to become cost-effective, generally speaking, once you have over 150 minutes and 1 GB of mobile data per month.

Some service providers do offer discounted promotional post-paid plans, for new customers (or for customers who transition from pre-paid to post-paid). DTAC currently has 100 and 200 baht monthly discounts, for the entire term of the contract, on some post paid 'smartphone' bundles.

http://www.dtac.co.th/en/postpaid/products/smartphone.html

I see from that link DTAC are still claiming to have a FUP of 384kbps, but weren't there reports they'd nuked it down to 64kbps?

Have they perhaps just not bothered to change that page? It does seem rather out of date (the 'monthly discount' offer expired 31/12/2012)

AFAIK, these discounts are still available, at least they were last week when I switched from pre-paid to post-paid.

DTAC's 1 GB unlimited monthly mobile data plan has a 64 Kbps FuP, all other DTAC plans are 384 Kbps. TrueMove H has a 128 Kbps FuP across all unlimited mobile data plans (for new customers). I think AIS/One-2-Call have a 256 Kbps FuP on their unlimited plans.

As with all things, one should carefully review the terms and conditions in person prior to entering into a contract.

[Harper99]

Are you interested in Postpay or Prepay?

AIS, they got package for postpay here http://www.ais.co.th/gsmadvance/en/Smartphone_Packages.aspx (Package will be included Voice/SMS/Data)

but if you are still into prepay http://www.ais.co.th/mobileinternet/ais-netsim/aisnetsim-package/ you have to pay seperate for Voice, SMS and data. or you can simply contact AIS Call Center 1175. Hope this helps.

[JimShortz]

With my iphone the credit disappeared incredibly quickly when I left mobile data turned on. This wasn't me browsing the internet, or checking my mail, but simply the phone checking things by itself and so frequently requesting tiny packets of data. I think these were charged as a minute of internet each time, despite being tiny packets - so my credit just drained away, remarkably quickly.

My cure had been an add-on from AIS whereby I get 75mb of data per month for 99 Baht. They also offer 150mb for 150 Baht, but for me the 75mb works fine for leaving my data plan turned on, the occasional map check etc. I have wireless connectivity at home, at work, at every offee shop, etc. so this is perfect for me. Ymmv... I normally only get through about 40mb of data per month, and have no problem with credit seeping from my phone!

[JimShortz]

AIS data deals page is here: http://www.ais.co.th/mobileinternet/en/internet-package/#2

The package I chose is in the second table from the bottom, with the dial code: *133*20#

They also do time based deals inaddition to the monthly volume based deals. These may be more useful if you will be dowloading or browsing. See here: http://www.ais.co.th/mobileinternet/en/internet-package/#1