confused! Please help me settle.. dongle, network and calls :-)

[Etoile]

Hi,

Apologies in advance, as I know these questions have been asked before, and answered too... but after spending some time browsing through the forum, I am feeling very confused...!!! If someone is kind enough to give me some help and advice in laymen's terms that would be amazing. Thanks in advance!

I am going to be spending a lot of time in Thailand, mainly in Samui, Phangan and Ko Tao over the next year.

I have an unlocked Iphone 4 and a laptop...

- on the Iphone I would like a decent internet connection (unlimited if poss or a big package of data).... and also would like to be able to make fairly cheap calls back to the UK and get a decent amount of minutes to call thai phones as well.... I am hoping these can all be achieve on one sim card.

1-Can someone let me know the prices?? even roughly??

After reading through the forum I am under the impression that True H would be the best sim for me to get but I do not read thai and so having problems finding the prices/plan options...

2-So basically: would True H be a good option? And if so, what do I need to buy?? I am thinking of getting the card at a 7/11 and not sure what I will need to ask them for.

3-Also, for an internet connection for my laptop.... what do I need and how does it work. After looking through the forum I am wondering if I need an 'aircard' or a dongle?

I have a T Mobile dongle from the UK... is it worth bringing that with me or will it not work? (Just wondering if I can replace the T mobile sim with a Thai one ??)...

And how does the dongle system work?? Looking at the maps, again, I think True H would be best but really unsure how it works and where to buy??

I hope this makes sense and someone is able to give me some advice...

Many many thanks,

*Etoile*

Edited August 24, 2013 by Etoile

[Jiu-Jitsu]

As to whether you need more than one SIM will depend on whether your iPhone 4 will be capable of creating a WiFi Hotspot. Apparently it depends on the Network. I wouldn't depend on it...as I know next to nothing about Apple products.

To this end, I would consider a MiFi(Mobile WiFi unit). You place the SIM inside much like a USB modem and it creates a WiFi Hotspot, to which you can connect up to eight different WiFi capable products to the Internet.

You can pick one up in the UK for £34.50 here at Argos. Will cost as little as a Pound for the unlock code.

If you can be bothered, you can get one for less with Orange, for as little as £18.49 unlocked. But that involves getting one on a one month contract, activating the contract and giving the 30 day notice to cancel on the same day. Going through a cashback website will get you £10 back. £0.99 for an unlock code. So £18.49 in total.

Either of these can be used with a single SIM card and data plan to connect your Wireless capable Smartphone and computers to the Internet.

You can make calls to the UK via the PC and iPhone using the LocalPhone App.

But clearly it would be better for you if you can use the iPhone as a Wireless HotSpot, in conjunction with a TrueMove Inter SIM and an attached data plan.

[Jiu-Jitsu]

Following on from my earlier post, you can buy T-Mobile mobile WiFi units for less than the Vodafone model, but you might be requested to purchase a £10 top up with them.

Huawei E5332 Tesco £30

Huawei E5332 PC World/Currys £30 Order online for pick-up in a shop and you shouldn't need to pay for a top-up.

It's a better model than the Vodafone unit and is the same as the Orange unit. £0.99p to unlock, as before.

You can use your T-Mobile USB modem, but you will need to unlock it. What is the model number?

TrueMove-H used to have a 10GB data plan for 1699 baht, but I don't know if it is in existence anymore. Now only 5GB is indicated for 899 baht(plus 7% VAT) Unlimited WiFi for if and when you are close to a TrueMove WiFi Hotspot.

LocalPhone iPhone App

Edited August 24, 2013 by Jiu-Jitsu

[Etoile]

Thank you so much Jiu-Jitsu!!! Brilliant, very useful information....

What about not creating a wi-fi network but just having a sim in my phone that allows me to call and use internet (on the phone) and

having a usb dongle for my laptop... how does that work and how much is it sim wise??

Can I buy a normal sim (True H)?? how much is internet on that and how much would calls be (roughly) ?? And where would I buy the sim/what do I ask for??

and can I take my UK dongle or should I buy one in BKK?? If in BKK do I need to go to panthip plaza for it??

Your help is much appreciated...

Thanks again,

*Etoile*

[Jiu-Jitsu]

Thank you so much Jiu-Jitsu!!! Brilliant, very useful information....

What about not creating a wi-fi network but just having a sim in my phone that allows me to call and use internet (on the phone) and

having a usb dongle for my laptop... how does that work and how much is it sim wise??

Can I buy a normal sim (True H)?? how much is internet on that and how much would calls be (roughly) ?? And where would I buy the sim/what do I ask for??

and can I take my UK dongle or should I buy one in BKK?? If in BKK do I need to go to panthip plaza for it??

Your help is much appreciated...

Thanks again,

*Etoile*

I've already covered that scenario and asked you a question. You haven't replied to it.

In fact I have covered every scenario if you read more carefully.

Edited August 24, 2013 by Jiu-Jitsu