New 3G And 4G Services Get Mixed Reactions

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New services get mixed reactions
Asina Pornwasin

BANGKOK: -- In the last two weeks since the three key mobile phone operators - Advanced Info Service (AIS), True Corp and Total Access Communication (DTAC) - launched their 3G and 4G services for 2.1GHz, there have been mixed reactions from consumers getting to grips with their new packages.

We checked out some comments on Facebook to see what consumers thought of the changes so far.

Warat Karuchit, an AIS user, said that initially the speed was very good and video streaming on YouTube was smooth, but after a couple days the speed dropped to that which he had experienced before the move. He said he was now spending about Bt1,000 a month for the new package, compared to the Bt799 per month he had been charged before.

Wichern Paenkaew, a True user, said he was using the Bt399 package. "The speed of my 3G service is only 100 kilobits per second when I am at home [in Pathum Thani], while the speed will be around 4-5 megabits per second when I'm at my office in Lak Si."

However, Sakulsri Srisaracam, who also uses True, said she was satisfied with the speed and the price of the service - even though the speed dropped sometimes at the end of the month.

"I'm satisfied with the speed. I can surf the Net smoothly wherever I am - even if I'm outside Bangkok. I can also get the same speed on my laptop when I don't have Wi-Fi access and the speed at personal hotspots is okay, too. I spend around Bt699 to Bt750 per month for the service," she said.

Jetsada Sanudomchok, an AIS user who lives in Vientiane, Laos, said he could only get the pre-3G speed for AIS in Nong Khai.

"The speed is so slow, yet it costs me around Bt600 to Bt700 a month," he said.

Preeyaporn Poolsri, who uses the Bt899 AIS package, said she was not satisfied with the service because it was not that fast.

"I live in Ayutthaya and my cell-phone was getting a 3G signal, but after just three days I got an SMS informing me that my 3G service had already run out and the speed dropped. I have been offered [via SMS] a lot of other packages, but I haven't purchased anything yet," Preeyaporn said.

Nonthaburi resident Plern Plern said she uses AIS, which costs her between Bt400 and Bt500 per month. "I use a 1GB, AIS 3G-2.1GHz unlimited access package. But, the speed tends to vary a lot."

Another AIS user, Buranii Chandraparnik also said she was not satisfied with the service, both in terms of speed and price.

Jack Nattawut Chuanpanyo, a TrueMoveH user, who lives in Nakhon Chaisi, Nakhon Pathom province, said his phone showed a 3G signal almost all the time and though the speed sometimes dropped to the pre-3G transmission rate, but he was satisfied with the overall service.

"I am okay with the speed, even though it slows down sometimes. I spend Bt599 per month and have never used more than the package amount," said Jack.

Sansanee Thongpond, a DTAC user, said she was not really satisfied with the service which cost her about Bt1,000 per month, compared with her previous package of Bt599. "Now, the data service is not stable. My phone often gets disconnected."

Supanna Tripedpuang, another DTAC user, said she was happy with the service as it seemed stable but was not satisfied with the price as it was too expensive.


-- The Nation 2013-05-18

[asupeartea]

WiFi and 3G speeds vary a lot depending on a number of factors -- how many people are using that network, your distance from the antenna, what's between you and the antenna, who's between you and the antenna, your machine's ability and more that escape me at the moment. I have a nice app that tells we which direction the antenna is and an extensive list of ALL the WiFi in my area (same applies to 3G). Sometimes I get a big increase in speed by moving 1 or 2 meters, especially closer/more direct line of sight to the antenna. At the school coffee shop I only get a signal at one end of the small shop and it gets real slow if 4-5 people using the same Wi-Fi are between me and the antenna so I move between them and the antenna, speeding up mine and probably slowing theirs. (I don't ask.)

Vientiane <--> Nong Khaki, you should go to YouTube and look for DIY antennas. One uses a large, food service sized can, another uses a wok, just some aluminum foil, etc. It'll make a help of a difference over distances.

Edited May 20, 2013 by asupeartea

[IsaanUSA]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but did the telco's upgrade the speed at all? I presumed there was just some frequency re-arranging going on.

[Pib]

Below is the 3G speed I got about an hour ago around noon time when at the Bang Yai Big C in Nonthaburi. I'm on a DTAC Bt539 postpaid plan which provides Unlimited 2GB at speeds up to 42Mb with a FUP of 384Kb when exceeding the 2GB/month usage....the plan also comes with 550 voice minutes. SMS's are extra at 1 baht/SMS. Go to this Link and click the Package tab for details. The plan was on promotion when I bought my Samsung S4 this weekend...I think you have to buy one of DTAC selected phones, like the S4 I bought, to get this package which has a price guarantee of 18 months (not locked into contract for 18 months but a price guarantee for 18 months)...you can cancel/change the plan after 3 months with no penalty. And I'm hoping that once DTAC goes online with its 2100Mhz/TriNet system next month that DTAC will provide a 15-20% discount on the plan which has been talked about in other news stores where AIS/DTAC/True are suppose to offer reduced price plans and also reduce prices on current plans....I'm not holding my breath as DTAC may say the reduction was already in my plan plus I'm happy with the price of my current DTAC Bt539 3G data & voice plan (but I would happily accept a lower price).

[2unique]

I have the same package on my S3 - it works out great for business and video Skype can still function on 384Kbs when I've used my 2gb...

Had to ask for it as it wasn't displayed on the website.

Asked about price of TriNet and was told it *should" be the same! I queried the should, she asked her supervisor and came back with it "will" be the same price... What are the odds eh :-P

Sent from Android please excuse errors in type or judgement

[Pib]

Yea, let's just watch our bills over the coming months and maybe we'll get a nice surprise of a price reduction...but let's not hold our breath.

Sent from my tablet

[petedk]

Yea, let's just watch our bills over the coming months and maybe we'll get a nice surprise of a price reduction...but let's not hold our breath.

Sent from my tablet

Uhm Let's see!!!

I received an SMS after just three or four days of usage telling me that my quota for the month had already been used. (2Gb). Normally I use only about 1 Gb per month.

When I complained to AIS I just recieved a reply that "3G was faster so I download more data" . I don't quite understand that reply as I only use 3G for checking emails, reading TV and using Line on a limited basis.

I haven't received the bill yet so I don't know how high it will be.

On another note I still cannot use 3G anywhere on the BTS from Victory Monument to Phrom Pong. It is very "patchy" to say the least. Also I have problems with both 3G and voice around Asoke (which is where I spend most of the day).

[lomatopo]

I know a few people who are using AIS/2100 MHz 3G and they are generally happy as it seems to be a great improvement, at least for 3G, over the previous service.

I do not know anyone first-hand who is using any other service provider's 2100 MHz service, either for 3G or 4G.

I have DTAC post-paid and TrueMove H pre-paid and am satisfied with the current performance/price combination, so have no overarching desire to change. I say let others change, and leave more bandwidth for me.

Edited May 25, 2013 by lomatopo

[sumrit]

I've been happy enough with the new 2.1Ghz on AIS until this weekend. We had to go to Roi-et and as soon as we got outside the new 3G area not only did I lose 3G I lost all internet connection (no edge+ either) and my phone went on to roaming for phone calls as well.

Of course it could be that my phone isn't set up properly. I'll find out when I visit the AIS shop tomorrow.

After I registered for the new service I was advised I needed to get a new (free) sim. I did this about ten days before the new 3G was up and running and the new sim still worked as normal on the old 900 Mhz system, giving 3G where available and Edge+ when out of the 3G range.

This weekend was the first time we'd been out of the Chonburi area since the launch and as I said not only couldn't I get an Edge+ connection I didn't have a dial out connection either. When I tried making a phone call I got a warning message saying I was roaming and could incur High charges. I'd already received a couple of calls so don't know if roaming charges will apply to them or not.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

I asked those exact same questions of the AIS Call Center recently, and got these answers.

When a 2100 Mhz user is away from AIS 2100 Mhz service, your mobile is supposed to automatically roam to either of the other available AIS frequencies, 2G on 1800 Mhz or their original 3G on 900 Mhz, if they're available there and supported by your phone.

I was assured that any roaming occurring like that would simply be counted as part of your normal monthly plan minutes which, as long as you stay within your plan totals, should not result in any additional charges.

That's what they told me... Is it correct, one can only guess....

[lomatopo]

2G on 1800 Mhz or their original 3G on 900 Mhz

If you are a DPC customer, there are are only a few thousand, then yes, you'd roam onto 1800 MHz, at least until 16 Sep 2013.

If you are an AIS or One-2-Call customer then you would roam onto 900 MHz. In some cases you might roam onto TOT 2100 MHz.

This assumes your phone is properly configured of course.

There are no additional roaming charges incurred in any of these scenarios.

Where AIS does not have 2100 MHz 3G coverage one should probably not expect great things other than voice and GSM (2G:EDGE/GPRS) data

Edited May 26, 2013 by lomatopo

[sumrit]

I've been happy enough with the new 2.1Ghz on AIS until this weekend. We had to go to Roi-et and as soon as we got outside the new 3G area not only did I lose 3G I lost all internet connection (no edge+ either) and my phone went on to roaming for phone calls as well.

Of course it could be that my phone isn't set up properly. I'll find out when I visit the AIS shop tomorrow.

After I registered for the new service I was advised I needed to get a new (free) sim. I did this about ten days before the new 3G was up and running and the new sim still worked as normal on the old 900 Mhz system, giving 3G where available and Edge+ when out of the 3G range.

This weekend was the first time we'd been out of the Chonburi area since the launch and as I said not only couldn't I get an Edge+ connection I didn't have a dial out connection either. When I tried making a phone call I got a warning message saying I was roaming and could incur High charges. I'd already received a couple of calls so don't know if roaming charges will apply to them or not.

Just to confirm what TallGuyJohninBKK and Lomatopo said AIS have just told me when you're outside a 3G 2100Mhz area your phone will automatically roam onto the AIS 900Mhz frequency. All calls and internet on your package will remain in place so you won't incur any separate charges.

When roaming abroad your phone will latch onto the strongest signal, regardless of the company but I've been assured this can't happens when you're roaming on AIS within Thailand. You won't latch on to DTAC or True, even if they're signal is stronger. They say you will always roam on to AIS 900Mhz.

[lomatopo]

When roaming abroad your phone will latch onto the strongest signal, regardless of the company

Not exactly, assuming you have international roaming enabled then AIS have specific roaming partners in various countries, and in some cases they have more than one partner in a particular country. In the U.S., as an AIS customer, I used to roam onto AT&T, but a quick review of their web-site indicates their roaming partner in the U.S. might now be T-Mobile?

Of course when roaming internationally you will pay significant roaming charges. I might un-tick data and SMS roaming if traveling to another country.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

2G on 1800 Mhz or their original 3G on 900 Mhz

If you are a DPC customer, there are are only a few thousand, then yes, you'd roam onto 1800 MHz, at least until 16 Sep 2013.

If you are an AIS or One-2-Call customer then you would roam onto 900 MHz. In some cases you might roam onto TOT 2100 MHz.

This assumes your phone is properly configured of course.

There are no additional roaming charges incurred in any of these scenarios.

Where AIS does not have 2100 MHz 3G coverage one should probably not expect great things other than voice and GSM (2G:EDGE/GPRS) data

Loma, I have AIS postpaid service in BKK, and use an AT&T issued Samsung smartphone that has all the normal GSM frequences including 850 and 900 Mhz, but for 3G, only 850, 1900 and 2100.

For my current AIS calling and Edge data plan (no 3G), my phone connects to the TH GSM network, which I believe runs on the 1800 Mhz 2G band. So if I added a 3G 2100 Mhz service with AIS, I'm assuming my phone would at least for now still roam back to the 1800 Mhz 2G band for calling and Edge data -- not only 900 Mhz 3G.

I'm not really clear about how DPC operates. All I know is, all my bills simply say AIS, are paid to AIS and make no mention of DPC.. Just have a small logo in the bottom right corner saying GSM Advance.

BTW, when I checked my phone's mobile networks readings this morning, the scan produced a list that showed TH GSM first and 52003 (AIS 2100 Mhz 3G) second. But still not allowed to connect to the 52003 network, even though AIS had promised a May switchover for my area.

Edited May 27, 2013 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[lomatopo]

Your phone is on the AIS 900 MHz GSM network. Otherwise it wouldn't work.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[sumrit]

BTW, when I checked my phone's mobile networks readings this morning, the scan produced a list that showed TH GSM first and 52003 (AIS 2100 Mhz 3G) second. But still not allowed to connect to the 52003 network, even though AIS had promised a May switchover for my area.

Have you registered with AIS for the 2100Mhz 3G system? You have to register with AIS, and possibly upgrade your sim. It isn't and automatic just upgrade because you are with AIS already.

Edited May 27, 2013 by sumrit

[dharmabm]

In addition to registering you also have to call and ask for manual upgrade - the automated SMS method only works if you have a Thai ID card number.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Well, a bit of an update...

I called AIS today to find out what had happened to my 2100 Mhz 3G pre-registration, especially since by SMS they had previously promised that service would be available in my central BKK area by May, and it's now approaching the end of the month.

The CSR I spoke with on the phone helpfully checked and reminded me that I had preregistered on April 10. And I helpfully reminded him that I hadn't heard peepers from anyone at AIS ever since, even though my mobile, when I'm at home, now picks up the 52003 network that is AIS's new 2100 Mhz 3G service. This wasn't my first call, BTW, and I also had called previously with the same inquiry in the middle of the month after AIS's formal 2100 Mhz launch.

I couldn't possible recite the entire and arcane back and forth I had with the CSR trying to get some explanation of why nothing had happened with my request. But part of the conversation made me think the post above has some accuracy, as at one point the CSR went off on a jag about how they wouldn't just automatically switch over foreigners because we might have international roaming and come from countries where AIS doesn't have roaming agreements.

I couldn't quite follow him on that one, especially since my AIS account doesn't have and has never had any international roaming set up. But nonetheless, I think I gleaned his point that farangs by category weren't/aren't at the front of the line for getting switched over to 2100 Mhz within AIS's operation. So, the CSR said he would forward my request onward to the correct AIS department for activating the transfer... and we'll see how long they take about that.

Meanwhile, thanks to Loma for his answer above about what happens when an AIS customer is away from their 2100 Mhz 3G network. As the CSR confirmed today, an AIS customer would roam to AIS's original 900 Mhz network for 3G voice and data service, and if using a phone that isn't 900 Mhz 3G capable, to the same 900 Mhz network for 2G/Edge service for data and voice calls. At least, until AIS's permit to use the 900 Mhz band expires in 2015.

Edited May 27, 2013 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Finally some good news, the day after my latest phone call to AIS, my AIS service was upgraded to their new 2100 Mhz 3G service here in Central BKK.

What's that old saying about, in Thailand, the squeeky farang gets greased??? Or something like that!

In any event, thus far, the new service seems to be OK, and the speed tests I've run using two different mobile apps (Speedtest.net and MyMobile Coverage) show quite decent local network results, sometimes even faster than my True Online cable internet sent over my home wifi network.

Here's how it went. First, the SMS message notifying of the changeover.

Then supposedly the SMS message supposedly to update my APN info... Though I never got any over-the-air update, so I ended up having to update my APNs for 3G and MMS manually.

Then a flurry of SMSs about some supposed extra data I was being given, along with followup messages almost immediately that I had used up all that data (still haven't figured all those out).

Then my Speedtest.net app results for the new AIS 3G on 2100 Mhz done about 8 pm in the evening:

Then my speed tests using the MyMobile Coverage app using first AIS 3G then my home True Online cable wifi for comparison.

And finally, logging into AIS's E-Service web portal to pick a new service plan for their 2100 Mhz 3G services, where indeed they are offering 15% more minutes or data for comparable prices compared to their 900 Mhz original plans.

Ahh, BTW, for some reason, the little status icon on my phone's home screen is displaying a 4G icon when connected to the AIS 2100 Mhz network... Not sure why... since it's an AT&T Samsung Captivate Glide that's only 3G and not 4G/LTE compatible.

Edited May 30, 2013 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[lomatopo]

The 4G, on your model, indicates HSPA+, AT&T markets this 3G service as 4G and since you are getting HSPA+ from AIS, your AT&T phone lights up the 4G symbol.

What were your comparable speedtest results on 900 MHz 3G? OK, never mind, I see that model only support 850/1900/2100.

[Dork]

Thanks for the report TallGuy. On the basis of that I just asked my office to (try to) get me switched over.

I had tried to register several times previously using the automated system but eventually got an SMS saying it is a corporate account so contact my company. I did but they know even less about it than I do, which is saying something.

So let's see.....

[2unique]

Thanks for the report TallGuy. On the basis of that I just asked my office to (try to) get me switched over.

I had tried to register several times previously using the automated system but eventually got an SMS saying it is a corporate account so contact my company. I did but they know even less about it than I do, which is saying something.

So let's see.....

A few AIS users have been quite pee'd off about this as they were told only personal customers can upgrade no corporates...

[lomatopo]

^ In theory AIS Corporate Sales teams should be working with their largest clients to pro-actively to manage the transition.

It may not be possible for individuals to make changes to their corporate account without some sort of oversight from their own company, and I'm not sure it is ideal for AIS's standard CSRs to be dealing directly with Corp. accounts? I know, if I were a rep. I wouldn't want a phone CSR potentially mucking about with my account. The CSR should have a method for involving a Corp. Sales rep., through some automated system, or even connecting in-bound calls directly to a Corp. Sales rep.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Just fyi, I'm not making any representations/endorsements here about AIS's 2100 Mhz 3G service. I haven't had it for long, and I haven't roamed much away from my home to see if their supposed fallback to 900 Mhz really functions smoothly or not, and how/whether it functions inside large buildings, etc.

But, it seems there haven't been many reports here thus far from folks who have actually had their AIS accounts changed over to 2100 Mhz, so I figured it was worthwhile to just kind of layout what results in the changeover.

Time will tell whether or not it was a good transition.

[Dork]

^ In theory AIS Corporate Sales teams should be working with their largest clients to pro-actively to manage the transition.

It may not be possible for individuals to make changes to their corporate account without some sort of oversight from their own company, and I'm not sure it is ideal for AIS's standard CSRs to be dealing directly with Corp. accounts? I know, if I were a rep. I wouldn't want a phone CSR potentially mucking about with my account. The CSR should have a method for involving a Corp. Sales rep., through some automated system, or even connecting in-bound calls directly to a Corp. Sales rep.

It's AIS that refers to our account as "corporate" With about 10 mobile users, we're hardly a corporation.

But anyway, we can login to each individual account using the AIS eservice thing, just like an individual user but using the company tax ID instead of a personal ID card. From there we can view billing details, change package etc. I allow the staff to manage their own package so they can tailor it to their needs but I guess a big company with hundreds of users wouldn't want that.

[Dork]

Just fyi, I'm not making any representations/endorsements here about AIS's 2100 Mhz 3G service. I haven't had it for long, and I haven't roamed much away from my home to see if their supposed fallback to 900 Mhz really functions smoothly or not, and how/whether it functions inside large buildings, etc.

But, it seems there haven't been many reports here thus far from folks who have actually had their AIS accounts changed over to 2100 Mhz, so I figured it was worthwhile to just kind of layout what results in the changeover.

Time will tell whether or not it was a good transition.

Sure, appreciate that. I'll give it a go anyway.

My staff just told me that they have to take some documents to AIS and tomorrow they will activate it. I'll believe that when I see it.

Will report.........

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Farangs to the back of the 3G bus???

After finally getting AIS to upgrade my postpaid service to their new 3G 2100 Mhz service the other day, I turned my attention last night to my Thai wife's AIS postpaid account, which I manage for her.

So when I logged into her E-Service account last night, I was surprised to see that (without me or her having done anything other than pre-registering) it had already been converted to 2100 mhz and a plan already assigned. And when I looked at her mobile this morning, I found a long list of SMS messages from AIS with all the information about the changeover process, that began back in early-mid May when AIS launched the new service. Unfortunately, my wife never bothers to pay attention to the SMSs that arrive on her phone from AIS, so I had no idea she'd received them until now.

So as it turns out, AIS had automatically changed over my wife's service just within a few days after their 2100 Mhz launch, but did nothing with mine until two days ago after I had called them repeatedly asking for the change. Even though, obviously, we live at the same address, have the same billing address, had similar service plans etc etc... And even though I probably had pre-registered my mobile a month or so before I ended up pre-registering her mobile via the AIS website.

It kind of gives additional credence to the comments I got from the AIS CSR over the phone the other day saying AIS wasn't automatically converting over foreigners accounts to the new 2100 Mhz service, and a similar sense that another poster in this thread reported on above.

Posted 2013-05-27 12:48:10
In addition to registering you also have to call and ask for manual upgrade - the automated SMS method only works if you have a Thai ID card number.

So as I said, it seems like farangs to the back of the AIS 3G bus, unless you make a point of pestering AIS over it.

Edited May 31, 2013 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[negreanu]

But whats the international roaming difficulties with this 2100MHZ service as I believe not all countries support it.

[lomatopo]

But whats the international roaming difficulties with this 2100MHZ service as I believe not all countries support it.

Not sure I understand your question? Do you mean people from other countries roaming here in Thailand? Or Thai/2100 MHz customers roaming in other countries?

Either way it has no impact. In the first case, assuming you have roaming then you would roam onto the local Thai networks which your home service provider has agreements with, in the second case you would roam onto those providers in other countries with which your Thai service provider has agreements with. This assumes that you handset support the requisite frequencies. Most GSM providers support 900/1800/1900 (GSM), and 900/2100 (3G).

[negreanu]

Yeh thats what I thought. But not according to my AIS assistant before she upgraded it. Says phone wont work in China or UK.

Anyway went ahead with the upgrade now active. Cant see i notice any difference in call quality, internet speed....