3G Mobile Services Attracting Large Numbers Of Users, Kicks Off In Thailand

[wilcopops]

As it is 15% of current charges it will be easy enough in the future to introduce enough variation on services to cloud the issue sufficiently for thus condition to be avoided altogether.

Edited May 9, 2013 by wilcopops

[lomatopo]

As it is 15% of current charges it will be easy enough in the future to introduce enough variation on services to cloud the issue sufficiently for thus condition to be avoided altogether.

If the NBTC wants to enforce their arbitrary, vague (various members have mentioned 15% - 20%), and quite frankly idiotic 'demand' then they will be able to do this in the future by auditing service provider offerings - it is easy to compare variations on new services with old services by comparing per unit prices - they've done this with per minute voice charges already.

I suspect they will continue to talk about it, and maybe even audit, and maybe even mention fines, but will not enforce something they, in actuality, have no basis for demanding. If they wanted price reductions they should have included those in the terms and conditions for the auction, before the auction took place.

[commande]

Instead of criticizing, I applause. thanks for the great work. For those who think there is such a huge difference between 3 and 4G.... I think a normal user won't see much of a difference, but will see it on his phone as it will die much faster than 3G. They have not been able to overcome the power consumption issue with the introduction of 4G. So, even tomorrow, I get the choice between 3 or 4G, I'll stick with the 3G just because of the battery life that is once more scarified for a tiny bit of more speed.

3G | 3.5G (HSPA, H+) is plenty fast, 4G at the present times just consumes battery power AND your data plan is consumed faster because of the additional overhead payload. They of course don't tell anyone that, yes the overhead is part of your data plan usage, it counts against you; payload exceeds 2x times higher than 3G. Not many 4G phones on the market either.

I stream videos on my phone all the time with the current 2.5G service and don't suffer to many issues. 2 | 2.5G services are still the biggest money makers in markets where people can't afford expensive smart phones which is why they won't pull the plug on 2G services.

Telecom, business as usual, smoke and mirrors.

Edited May 9, 2013 by commande

[lomatopo]

which is why they won't pull the plug on 2G services.

Tell that to the 18 million TrueMove customers on September 16, 2013.

2G is GSM data (GPRS/EDGE, avg. here is ~ 150 Kbps for EDGE), and uses available bandwidth - voice has first priority. GSM data is part of the concession here, as is 3G/850 for DTAC and 3G/900 for AIS, and subject to the higher revenue sharing scheme so both do want to pull the plug sooner rather than later.

[wilcopops]

As it is 15% of current charges it will be easy enough in the future to introduce enough variation on services to cloud the issue sufficiently for thus condition to be avoided altogether.

If the NBTC wants to enforce their arbitrary, vague (various members have mentioned 15% - 20%), and quite frankly idiotic 'demand' then they will be able to do this in the future by auditing service provider offerings - it is easy to compare variations on new services with old services by comparing per unit prices - they've done this with per minute voice charges already.

I suspect they will continue to talk about it, and maybe even audit, and maybe even mention fines, but will not enforce something they, in actuality, have no basis for demanding. If they wanted price reductions they should have included those in the terms and conditions for the auction, before the auction took place.

If you think that is going to happen you are living in cloud cuckoo land...imagine the arguments about whether this is "new" or related to "older" services and whether this might or might not be comparable.....FHS!

[wilcopops]

AIS - 1175 number inacessible for 2 days now......... customer service???????

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Not seeing many/any posts from TV members reporting that their AIS service has been upgraded/changed to AIS' new 2100Mhz 3G network...

Wonder who/where the company's claimed 800,000 new users are on their new 2100 Mhz network?

[kotsak]

AIS - 1175 number inacessible for 2 days now......... customer service???????

Had problems calling their corporate hotline 1149 one-two days ago as well..

[Phil Conners]

Instead of criticizing, I applause. thanks for the great work. For those who think there is such a huge difference between 3 and 4G.... I think a normal user won't see much of a difference, but will see it on his phone as it will die much faster than 3G. They have not been able to overcome the power consumption issue with the introduction of 4G. So, even tomorrow, I get the choice between 3 or 4G, I'll stick with the 3G just because of the battery life that is once more scarified for a tiny bit of more speed.

Ahem. 3G has a technical max of around 20 MBit nowadays, the standard speed is 7.2 MBit

4G (LTE) has a technical max of 100 Mbit, of course this can be also capped if you want to seperate low-cost and high-end contracts.

But that really doesn't matter as the max international bandwidth you are likely to get is 500-1000 kbps.

[wilcopops]

I've been trying to gey info off AIS for about 2 months now without success - presumably they've pulled the 1175 number because no-one can answer the customers' questions.

[lomatopo]

Evidently TrueMove H have (as of today) 500 3G/2100 MHz base-stations and 500 4G/2100 MHz base-stations. They plan to expand the 4G network to 15 provinces by year's end.

The NBTC has given TrueMove another week to transfer management of the CAT/850 MHz network back to CAT. Next week they'll give them another week.

I did receive an SMS from DTAC to register for Tri-NET.

DTAC has new packages/prices; they seem to reflect decreased prices, and/or increased bundled minutes/GB. One data point: 1 GB/150 min was 499, 1 G/250 min is 399, so 20% less and 100 more minutes (at 1 baht/min) the real savings is a bit more.

[infernalman7]

Evidently TrueMove H have (as of today) 500 3G/2100 MHz base-stations and 500 4G/2100 MHz base-stations. They plan to expand the 4G network to 15 provinces by year's end.

The NBTC has given TrueMove another week to transfer management of the CAT/850 MHz network back to CAT. Next week they'll give them another week.

I did receive an SMS from DTAC to register for Tri-NET.

DTAC has new packages/prices; they seem to reflect decreased prices, and/or increased bundled minutes/GB. One data point: 1 GB/150 min was 499, 1 G/250 min is 399, so 20% less and 100 more minutes (at 1 baht/min) the real savings is a bit more.

True has chosen this path knowing that it's wrong in the first place. Oh well, as long as they can "financially" and "politically" support it forever then it shouldn't be a problem.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

I did receive an SMS from DTAC to register for Tri-NET.

DTAC has new packages/prices; they seem to reflect decreased prices, and/or increased bundled minutes/GB. One data point: 1 GB/150 min was 499, 1 G/250 min is 399, so 20% less and 100 more minutes (at 1 baht/min) the real savings is a bit more.

I could be wrong about this... But as best as I could decipher DTAC's website on TriNet, I was only seeing info about it for what looked to be postpaid customers.

Everytime I looked at their prepaid section, they had 3G offerings, but pretty much all seemed to be asterisked as being capped at 384 Kbps, which ain't much.

[Obscuredby]

Can anybody tell me if AIS 3G will ever be available in Thailand.

I am totally hacked off with Edge 2G and reading all this 3G and 4G rubbish does not help.

It really is poor.

[skippybangkok]

Not seeing many/any posts from TV members reporting that their AIS service has been upgraded/changed to AIS' new 2100Mhz 3G network...

Wonder who/where the company's claimed 800,000 new users are on their new 2100 Mhz network?

Well god help u when people do migrate in mass from AIS 2G to 3G.

3G is a very sensitive beast, and I predict that in 6 months from now their 15mhz will be jammed up in Bangkok city centre.

Anyone notice how DTAC is a non issue? Another prediction - before long they will be the #3 in the market, it's not if, just when

[infernalman7]

Can anybody tell me if AIS 3G will ever be available in Thailand.

I am totally hacked off with Edge 2G and reading all this 3G and 4G rubbish does not help.

It really is poor.

You obviously haven't been following the news.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Can anybody tell me if AIS 3G will ever be available in Thailand.

I am totally hacked off with Edge 2G and reading all this 3G and 4G rubbish does not help.

It really is poor.

AIS is SUPPOSED to have launched the beginning of their new 2100 Mhz 3G service earlier this week. If you're an existing postpaid customer, you can preregister on the AIS website.

AIS is CLAIMING their new network will be available to most of Thailand within one year from now, and is supposed to be up and running in many areas now.

I preregistered long along, and live in BKK, and was supposed to have the new network available this month (May). Thus far, I've heard nothing and received nothing from AIS. And there seem to be virtually no reports here among TV members thus far who actually have had their AIS service switched/upgraded to the new 2100 Mhz 3G.

As is often the case, the headlines in the newspaper don't quite match up to what is the apparent reality on the ground.

[hml367]

I've been trying to gey info off AIS for about 2 months now without success - presumably they've pulled the 1175 number because no-one can answer the customers' questions.

Yeah... that's it.

[Obscuredby]

Can anybody tell me if AIS 3G will ever be available in Thailand.

I am totally hacked off with Edge 2G and reading all this 3G and 4G rubbish does not help.

It really is poor.

You obviously haven't been following the news.

Oh yes I have but as my phone still only connects to Edge I tend not to believe it.

[Obscuredby]

Can anybody tell me if AIS 3G will ever be available in Thailand.

I am totally hacked off with Edge 2G and reading all this 3G and 4G rubbish does not help.

It really is poor.

AIS is CLAIMING their new network will be available to most of Thailand within one year from now, and is supposed to be up and running in many areas now.

Thanks. So I might be waiting another year then.

[lomatopo]

Can anybody tell me if AIS 3G will ever be available in Thailand.

I am totally hacked off with Edge 2G and reading all this 3G and 4G rubbish does not help.

It really is poor.

AIS is CLAIMING their new network will be available to most of Thailand within one year from now, and is supposed to be up and running in many areas now.

Thanks. So I might be waiting another year then.

3G has probably been available, from more than one service provider, to 80% of the population - not geography - for well over one year.

Service providers are required to meet certain population coverage figures; maybe 50% within 1 year and 80% within 2 years, as part of the 2100 MHz auction terms.

I suspect you understand the difference between population coverage and geographical coverage? My SWAG is that by covering the major metropolitan areas, and provincial capitals/larger Amphurs one can meet or exceed the 80% figure. Obviously this will still leave large geographiocal, but sparsely populated, areas of the country without coverage.

If the government wants 100% geographical coverage, which may not be possible especially in the more terrain-intensive locales, then maybe they should task CAT or TOT with that service.

Edited May 10, 2013 by lomatopo

[skippybangkok]

Can anybody tell me if AIS 3G will ever be available in Thailand.

I am totally hacked off with Edge 2G and reading all this 3G and 4G rubbish does not help.

It really is poor.

AIS is CLAIMING their new network will be available to most of Thailand within one year from now, and is supposed to be up and running in many areas now.

Thanks. So I might be waiting another year then.

In simple terms, AIS claims 3000 sites. If they are on 2100 mhz, its more than 50% less coverage than 850 Mhz.per site = 1500 sites apple to apple.

True Corp claimed yesterday they had 13,000 sites nationwide on 850Mhz. (about 10x the coverage)

Choices - MNP, or if you prefer to stick to AIS, will need to wait if not in high population area. My gut feeling is AIS will need 2 years or more as they will need to roll out 2x to 3x more sites to get same coverage as True. (30,000 sites is alot of work ! )

p.s. 2100 mhz has no technical advantage that i am aware of. Through put the same

Edited May 10, 2013 by skippybangkok

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

This is what one AIS exec was reported to have said Wednesday:

Hui weng Cheong, chief operating officer, said AIS had set a Bt70-billion budget for network expansion over a few years. It has about 5,000 base stations in main cities in 20 provinces in every region throughout the country. Every month at least 800 base stations will be installed to ensure coverage for 77 provinces this year and full coverage countrywide by next year.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/AIS-says-it-has-800000-users-for-3G-2-1GHz-service-30205622.html

Then elsewhere on Weds, AIS' CEO was reported to have said the following:

Network coverage will rise to 70% of the population by year-end and 90% by mid-2014 under AIS's 70-billion-baht 3G network expansion project - two years ahead of the regulatory deadline.

Meanwhile, here are some related analyst presentation slides that AIS presented in February:

And here's what AIS reported in their first quarter 2013 results earlier this week:

3G 900MHz users reached 5.3mn, representing 14% of total subscribers. Mobile data continued a strong
growth of 64% YoY as smartphone penetration continues. We have a line up of new digital lifestyle applications
to be launched throughout the year to encourage more mobile data connectivity.

3G‐2.1GHz service is scheduled for commercial launch on May 7, 2013
covering 20 provinces and expand to 77 provinces by year end. We provide fast and easy 3G
‐ 2.1GHz upgrade process via SMS. In compliance with NBTC’s price cut regulation, AIS offers +15% value added on the new 3G-2.1GHz packages e.g. voice, data and applications.

http://investor.ais.co.th/FileUpload/Investor/2556/05/1Q13_conf_call%20%281%29.pdf

Edited May 10, 2013 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[lomatopo]

DTAC targets 10m new subscribers for TriNet 3G

Usanee Mongkolporn

The Nation May 10, 2013 1:00 am

Jon Eddy Abdullah, CEO of DTAC, acts as the symbol of DTAC yesterday unveiled the TriNet brand for its third-generation service with the goal of 10 million new subscribers this year. The service will run on DTAC's new 2.1-gigahertz network as well as its old 1,800- and 850-megahertz networks.

This week, the three major mobile operators - Advanced Info Service (AIS), True Corp and Total Access Communication (DTAC) - launched their 3G and 4G services for 2.1GHz. They all are targeting about 10 million new customers each. AIS launched its service on Tuesday and True Corp on Wednesday, but DTAC said it would launch its service early next month.

"No need to rush to launch. We will launch when we are ready both in networks and devices," said Jon Eddy Abdullah, chief executive officer of DTAC. DTAC said it had already installed about 1,000 3G-2.1GHz base stations, covering 30 per cent of the population; 5,200 3G-850MHz sites, covering 65 per cent; and about 10,000 2G-1,800MHz sites covering 85 per cent of the population. It plans to invest Bt34 billion until 2015, with Bt12.5 billion earmarked for this year. The company plans to have about 5,000 3G-2.1GHz cellular sites by year-end.

TriNet will start serving new subscribers on June 5 as part of DTAC's 3G-2.1GHz launch plan.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/DTAC-targets-10m-new-subscribers-for-TriNet-3G-30205810.html

Edited May 10, 2013 by lomatopo

[lomatopo]

In my location, Wireless Road/Bangkok, as of this morning I can "see" TrueMove H/"52004" and AIS/"52003" 2100 MHz 3G networks; no DTAC/"52005", yet.

Also, attached is a copy of the DTAC registration SMS I received yesterday.

Edited May 10, 2013 by lomatopo

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

WOW, AIS 3G power users beware....

I just saw this chart in their quarterly financial results this week that I linked above (page 15 of the pdf document), and it seems to show that their new 2100 Mhz 3G data plans have bandwidth throttling as low/slow 64 or 128 Kbps once the customer has surpassed their monthly plan data limits, which start at 500 MB...

So their 299b, 399b and 599b per month new 3G plans all throttle down to 64 Kbps once you've reached your monthly limit. That's SLOW!!!!!! Almost just like being on EDGE.... Yikes! They don't seem to be advertising that too much in all their promotional campaign materials.

Edited May 10, 2013 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[lomatopo]

^ Well 64 Kbps might be an improvement for AIS customers.

Probably the price to be paid for the NBTC demanding at least a 15% price decrease!

DTAC's 1.5 GB (64 Kbps FuP)/280 minutes is 529 baht.

Having hard caps with overages, then increasing FuP speeds as volume/price increases seems like a smart decision re: product packaging/positioning, forcing the customer to more heavily factor FuP into their decision, and force them upstream. I'd do that as a Product Manager.

Edited May 10, 2013 by lomatopo

[rexall]

Hope this is not too much off-topic, but there seem to be a lot of tech-savvy comments here.

I would use 3G primarily for streaming, specifically an environment similar to "Go To Meeting," audio only chat room for five hours at a time. 2G charges based upon time, but 3G charges in megabytes. I don't do much in the way of downloading files or streaming video. So, I am having a hell of a time figuring out how that translates to megabytes. AIS is clueless. They are pleasant enough, but it makes me crazy talking to them over the phone! What I specifically need to know is how many megabytes do I have to have to be sure than I can stay in the chat room for five hours? My concern is not the money, but rather insuring that I always have enough megabytes to maintain a connection whenever I want it and for as long as I need it.

Is there any way to guesstimate that?

Thanks, lah!

Rex in Khon Kaen

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Maybe someone else can have a better answer....but your info above lacks enough specifics for providing a good answer.

The two main factor's I'd think would pertain would be:

1. what's the hourly data rate in MBs used by your audio chat service.

2. how many hours per month are you typically using that service.

Neither of those you seem to have even guesstimated above.

You can install a free app like NetWorx on your PC to measure the streaming data rate used by the audio service you're using. Then multiply that by your hours per month, and you've got a rough idea of what you'd need.

[commande]

Hope this is not too much off-topic, but there seem to be a lot of tech-savvy comments here.

I would use 3G primarily for streaming, specifically an environment similar to "Go To Meeting," audio only chat room for five hours at a time. 2G charges based upon time, but 3G charges in megabytes. I don't do much in the way of downloading files or streaming video. So, I am having a hell of a time figuring out how that translates to megabytes. AIS is clueless. They are pleasant enough, but it makes me crazy talking to them over the phone! What I specifically need to know is how many megabytes do I have to have to be sure than I can stay in the chat room for five hours? My concern is not the money, but rather insuring that I always have enough megabytes to maintain a connection whenever I want it and for as long as I need it.

Is there any way to guesstimate that?

Thanks, lah!

Rex in Khon Kaen

Well 700kbps or more is what the Goto Meeting website recommends. Unfortunately mobile data networks TTL (Time to Live) for a data connection is generally 1 hour or less before reset so you would most likely lose your connection to Goto meeting no matter what the speed. It also depends on other things such as if they are giving you a public IP address or if they are using NAT for more IP address because they don't have enough public IP address to issue out. Of course they can use a commercial grade NAT appliance which generally resolves disconnect issues when mapping from private to public but even then they still have a TTL. WIFI also has a TTL but the switch renew is generally so fast that your connection might not drop. WIMAX the same, etc etc. Fixed line internet such as ADSL generally has a TTL of 12-24 hours, you can of course connect a WIFI router to this fixed connection, turn the WIFI routers TTL to 0 hours (wont reset IP) and it's all good.

I use WebEx on my mobile over the current HSPA+ and HSDPA network, it works pretty good but I still get the resets, I just dial back in.