I can't use my Thailand cellphone service in the USA at all ?!?! (Thailand carriers)

[labik]

Just got back to the USA. Have pre-paid (or pay-as-you-go?) sim cards, one for AIS 1-2 call and one for DTAC. The entire time here they both say "no service", can't even use them for emergency calls (i.e. 911).

When I was in Thailand I was assured that AIS works worldwide. Operators themselves told me. I found that to be true in several different Asian countries. When I was in both Cambodia and Vietnam I got constant contact, received all text messages and notified of incoming calls at no charge (to connect or answer however there was a charge).

Is this not even possible to receive incoming text messages here in the US? I need it because my two bank accounts in Asia are linked with my DTAC phone number (receive login codes / temp passwords / etc).

Any help ?!?!

[Langsuan Man]

Get on Skype and call their call centers and activate International roaming. It is something like 20 baht for the "upgrade" and SMS are free to receive and cheap to send.

It is something that you should have done before leaving Thailand but you should be able to make up for it now. Hopefully you have a Thai bank account so that you can "top up" your account

My only concern is whether or not your phone is at a minimum tri-band so that it will work in the US

I spend 4 months every year in the States and my "roaming" carrier there is AT&T since I have DTAC, don't know what network AIS uses

[Sophon]

Get on Skype and call their call centers and activate International roaming. It is something like 20 baht for the "upgrade" and SMS are free to receive and cheap to send.

It is something that you should have done before leaving Thailand but you should be able to make up for it now. Hopefully you have a Thai bank account so that you can "top up" your account

My only concern is whether or not your phone is at a minimum tri-band so that it will work in the US

I spend 4 months every year in the States and my "roaming" carrier there is AT&T since I have DTAC, don't know what network AIS uses

I don't think the problem is international roaming not being activated, as the OP states that he has used the phones in other Asian countries without problems. Probably his phone is not compatible with the somewhat special US phone system.

Sophon

[Tim207]

My only concern is whether or not your phone is at a minimum tri-band so that it will work in the US

I spend 4 months every year in the States and my "roaming" carrier there is AT&T since I have DTAC, don't know what network AIS uses

My AIS SIM connects to T-Mobile. My bet is his phone isn't compatible.

[Langsuan Man]

Get on Skype and call their call centers and activate International roaming. It is something like 20 baht for the "upgrade" and SMS are free to receive and cheap to send.

It is something that you should have done before leaving Thailand but you should be able to make up for it now. Hopefully you have a Thai bank account so that you can "top up" your account

My only concern is whether or not your phone is at a minimum tri-band so that it will work in the US

I spend 4 months every year in the States and my "roaming" carrier there is AT&T since I have DTAC, don't know what network AIS uses

I don't think the problem is international roaming not being activated, as the OP states that he has used the phones in other Asian countries without problems. Probably his phone is not compatible with the somewhat special US phone system.

Sophon

Not necessarily true since many times you are actually on the Thai network when you are in countries that border Thailand. Despite International boundaries many times cell coverage does not stop at the border.

Before I had "roaming" activated I could not receive SMS from my Thai bank while in the US, once I had it authorized, no longer a problem to get SMS for OTP (0ne time password) from SCB

[CharlieH]

Wrong forum, better in communication section.

[Sophon]

Get on Skype and call their call centers and activate International roaming. It is something like 20 baht for the "upgrade" and SMS are free to receive and cheap to send.

It is something that you should have done before leaving Thailand but you should be able to make up for it now. Hopefully you have a Thai bank account so that you can "top up" your account

My only concern is whether or not your phone is at a minimum tri-band so that it will work in the US

I spend 4 months every year in the States and my "roaming" carrier there is AT&T since I have DTAC, don't know what network AIS uses

I don't think the problem is international roaming not being activated, as the OP states that he has used the phones in other Asian countries without problems. Probably his phone is not compatible with the somewhat special US phone system.

Sophon

Not necessarily true since many times you are actually on the Thai network when you are in countries that border Thailand. Despite International boundaries many times cell coverage does not stop at the border.

Before I had "roaming" activated I could not receive SMS from my Thai bank while in the US, once I had it authorized, no longer a problem to get SMS for OTP (0ne time password) from SCB

Vietnam doesn't border Thailand.

Sophon

[seajae]

I had Dtac in Australlia no problems, really surprised me but it worked pretty good.

[JusMe]

Mine hasn't worked this year, and I deliberately set up roaming so that I could get the OTP from my bank when I tried to transfer funds between accounts.

I think it was okay last year, but can't remember clearly as I didn't have the roaming set up, but that is definitely set this year.

Now, when I turn on the phone, I get the welcome from my DTAC sim card, but when I try any number at all, I simply get "No network."

Hope I can resolve the problem before next year's issues arise again.

Note: real cheapie phone, so it could be that the phone's plucked!

[tuky]

Try a website like this one to see if your phone will work in the US. As a previous poster said the US are above the rest of the world so they have their own "special" phone network.

http://www.travelsim.net.au/Compatibility/

[JusMe]

Try a website like this one to see if your phone will work in the US. As a previous poster said the US are above the rest of the world so they have their own "special" phone network.

http://www.travelsim.net.au/Compatibility/

Interesting site, but perhaps not quite as credible as desired?

It shows my Thai phone as being functional in Thailand but not in Canada. I think but can't remember exactly, that it did work in Canada last year, but isn't now. Okay.

But it shows my Canadian cellphone as being working in Thailand, but NOT in Canada! It's sitting on my desk and works fine!