3BB Promotion Fiber to the Home 30 Mb

[hml367]

Hope not off topic. Why the need for so much speed guys? I have 3bb in Hang dong and get at least 10mbs all the time. And with tax about 625 baht. and it is consistant for over a year now.

Run a speed test on any of the sites TallGuy posted just above your post and see what you get.

If you don't mind, you can post the results here. It may help some people understand more about the speed internationally.

The MLB test in TallGuy's post give you a short explanation of the need for so much speed.

[Jeffrey346]

Where exactly in Hang Dong District is there new fiber optics 3BB service?

Heading south on the Irrigation Canal Road (Route 121), the Hang Dong District boundary begins at Yummy Pizza, Night Safari, etc.

I'm unable to reach 3BB by phone, but I'm eager to know how far south these fiber optics lines are being strung. Please advise.

I just came back from 3BB at Big C Hang Dong. I asked the ladies if fiber is available where I live and after a lot of checking they said yes. In fact it won't be available until the first of the new year. They say they have to check with Bangkok to confirm availability. I live in a mooban just off Hang Dong Road between Kad Farang and Chiang Mai.

They say that the promotion of 1200 Baht per month expires at the end of this month but all you have to do is express an interest before November 30 to get the promotion price. I asked how long the promotion price would last and they promised at least a year.

The cost involved is 2000 Baht for the modem and 1200 + 84 (tax) Baht for the first month.

I'm sorry I can't tell you the availability in the Canal Road area. The best thing to do is go into a 3BB shop to inquire. If you are not a 3BB customer already, the GPS coordinates of your house would probably help.

When I heard FO was in Khon Kaen, I called 3BB in BKK. They told me it's not available till the 1st of the year. I called my local 3BB office and they said they can install it the next day.

Bottom line, the local managers are incented to get users online. I would call your local office and see what they will do for you.

[Jeffrey346]

@Tallguy.. I used the MLB speed test and got the following..

[nivram4491]

@Tallguy.. I used the MLB speed test and got the following..

This is my speed using the MLB.com test for my 13Mb/1Mb 3BB connection in Hang Dong.

[hml367]

These tests were all done within minutes of each other. Doing a speed test only gives an idea of speeds to where the test data is sent from. As you can see, different sites give different speeds. So when you actually download something, you probably will not get the same speed that shows in your speed test. What a speed test can do is give you a quality of service idea compared to your own average. As so many people have already said, it is only as good as the weakest link in the trip the data takes.

Also as others have said, you have to know what the ping time is. Then, as I think some people that know a lot more than me, the ping is not the same a downloading data. Ping is a command that sends a very small amount of data over the route to the source. Downloading is a lot more packets of data. You must have a correct ping time in order to evaluate the download speed results.

One more "attention": If you use the DSLREPORTS speedtest, you should use the java type test. The results are usually much different when I compare the flash test to the java test on DSLREPORTS. The difference between the tests is explained on the DSLREPORTS SPEEDTEST web page.

Whew!

Edited November 21, 2013 by hml367

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Jeffrey346, on 20 Nov 2013 - 22:56, said:

@Tallguy.. I used the MLB speed test and got the following..

Thanks for posting that Jeffrey... From what I recall of your posts above, you said you were using a 3BB fiber service, but didn't mention what speed plan you're on.

2-3 Mbps is a quite respectable speed, fast enough for video streaming and most other common uses. But, it's also a speed that's normally achievable here using regular DSL or cable internet services.

And that brings into play another factor I didn't mention above which is important to include when posting any speed test results: the time of day doing the tests here in Thailand.

On regular DSL or cable services, in my experience, it's pretty easy to get 2-3 Mbps speed test results to outside Thailand during the morning or daytime hours here when local usage is not so congested.

However, getting those kinds of results in the evening local time between say 7 pm and midnight is an entirely different matter, because that's when most Thais are home and the local internet usage and congestion peaks.

So, if your fiber connection is yielding 2-3 Mbps from international connections during the morning or daytime hours, that's nothing out of the ordinary for various Thai ISP services. But if you're getting that result during the primetime evening hours, that would be very good.

On my True cable 15 Mbps plan, 2-3 Mbps during the day regularly drops to 500 Kbps to 1 Mbps during the evening hours. I'd be quite excited if I could consistently get 2-3 Mbps for international connections during the evening hours.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

hml367, on 21 Nov 2013 - 08:18, said:

These tests were all done within minutes of each other. Doing a speed test only gives an idea of speeds to where the test data is sent from. As you can see, different sites give different speeds. So when you actually download something, you probably will not get the same speed that shows in your speed test. What a speed test can do is give you a quality of service idea compared to your own average. As so many people have already said, it is only as good as the weakest link in the trip the data takes.

Also as others have said, you have to know what the ping time is. Then, as I think some people that know a lot more than me, the ping is not the same a downloading data. Ping is a command that sends a very small amount of data over the route to the source. Downloading is a lot more packets of data. You must have a correct ping time in order to evaluate the download speed results.

One more "attention": If you use the DSLREPORTS speedtest, you should use the java type test. The results are usually much different when I compare the flash test to the java test on DSLREPORTS. The difference between the tests is explained on the DSLREPORTS SPEEDTEST web page.

Whew!

Thanks too Hml for posting those results...

I agree about what you posted... for the DSL Reports site, their Java test does seem to give more accurate results that their Flash-based test.

Also, about ping times, I'm no expert either. But for purposes of the discussion here, it's really just a time measurement for how long it takes for some bits of data to get from the user's location to their destination (whatever locale the speed test is being run to).

Data traveling over fiber and cables is constrained by distance and physical constraints. So, if someone is getting a 20-50 ms ping result, they can pretty much know the actual destination being tested is a local one.

On the other hand, to reach a destination that's 7000+ miles away like the U.S., if the data was traveling as fast as physically possible with no bottlenecks or interruptions, it would take more than 200 ms... So for a speed test to the U.S., if you're getting 200 to 300 ms, that's normal. If you're getting 400 to 600 ms, something's going bad somewhere along the line.

[circusman]

Hope not off topic. Why the need for so much speed guys? I have 3bb in Hang dong and get at least 10mbs all the time. And with tax about 625 baht. and it is consistant for over a year now.

Run a speed test on any of the sites TallGuy posted just above your post and see what you get.

If you don't mind, you can post the results here. It may help some people understand more about the speed internationally.

The MLB test in TallGuy's post give you a short explanation of the need for so much speed.

1.9 Mbps from

Hang Dong to Houston, Texas.

[GBK]

Is this available in Pattaya?

[hml367]

I have had speed test show approx. 240 ping, then show a download speed of 4.9mbps. I don't trust those results. Ping... ok.. speed to US ..... I doubt it.

Edited November 21, 2013 by hml367

[LivinLOS]

I have the 3BB Fibre network over 3 months now. The speed is amazing compared to my prior package [15/1].

I consistently get 30 to 36 and 3 to 5

3BB asked me for 1 year in advance. I refused as this is not a 3BB requirement it's local management as they get a bonus on customers who stay with the program for 1 year. I did have to pay B3000. for the new router and first month of service.

Would you mind posting the international speed results with ping and what site? I would like to compare what I am getting.

Also, where are you located? I haven't seen the fiber optic near where I am living, but it may be.

I'm in Khon Kaen

Speedtest Seattle Washington.

Faked..

A 25ms ping is faster than the speed of light..

3BB are caching the test..

[LivinLOS]

Hope not off topic. Why the need for so much speed guys? I have 3bb in Hang dong and get at least 10mbs all the time. And with tax about 625 baht. and it is consistant for over a year now.

streaming netflix (or many others) in HD..

Soon netflix will start stream ultraHD (thats 4k HD) for those with the right display sets.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

hml367, on 21 Nov 2013 - 11:17, said:hml367, on 21 Nov 2013 - 11:17, said:

I have had speed test show approx. 240 ping, then show a download speed of 4.9mbps. I don't trust those results. Ping... ok.. speed to US ..... I doubt it.

What's wrong with that kind of result, HML?

You posted earlier with some 2-3 Mbps results...

5 Mbps is certainly possible -- DEPENDING ON THE TIME OF DAY -- though it's a bit faster than the normal 2-4 Mbps best-case/daytime results we typically see for U.S. connections.

By "speed test," did you mean the website "speedtest.net" in any of its various flavors -- which is notoriously inaccurate for Thailand to international results -- or did you mean you got that result from a speed test site?

Whenever I'm looking for results, I usually rely on testmy.net first.... as it seems to have a good reputation and seems to deliver believable, consistent results. And then I'll usually try a couple of the others I recommended just to see how they compare.

The nice thing about testmy.net is it allows tests to various geographic locations, and also varying sizes of download test files... meaning you can choose a larger/longer set of test files that's likely to give you a better, more meaningful overall result... as opposed to a short/burst test that may show a higher speed that your ISP won't maintain with sustained use.

Edited November 21, 2013 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

And as I mentioned above...thus far... still no one's blowing us away with any really fast international speed test results using Thai fiber as an ISP... and measuring the speed with a credible, reliable, repeatable speed testing site.

For anyone who's using fiber out there, run a test at 7 or 9 pm in the evening here to one of the West Coast speed test servers offered by testmy.net, and then post those results here. Then people will know just what Thai fiber really has to offer for international speeds.

But please... no more 25 ms Speedtest.net screen caps....

[Chicog]

The best advice you can get about new technologies is: If it is NEW, then wait someone else use first. After a couple months, go question around your community and collect new answers, analysis and take your decision. There are nothing else you can do.

By which time the promotion may have ended and you could end up paying more.

[hml367]

hml367, on 21 Nov 2013 - 11:17, said:hml367, on 21 Nov 2013 - 11:17, said:

I have had speed test show approx. 240 ping, then show a download speed of 4.9mbps. I don't trust those results. Ping... ok.. speed to US ..... I doubt it.

What's wrong with that kind of result, HML?

You posted earlier with some 2-3 Mbps results...

5 Mbps is certainly possible -- DEPENDING ON THE TIME OF DAY -- though it's a bit faster than the normal 2-4 Mbps best-case/daytime results we typically see for U.S. connections.

By "speed test," did you mean the website "speedtest.net" in any of its various flavors -- which is notoriously inaccurate for Thailand to international results -- or did you mean you got that result from a speed test site?

Whenever I'm looking for results, I usually rely on testmy.net first.... as it seems to have a good reputation and seems to deliver believable, consistent results. And then I'll usually try a couple of the others I recommended just to see how they compare.

The nice thing about testmy.net is it allows tests to various geographic locations, and also varying sizes of download test files... meaning you can choose a larger/longer set of test files that's likely to give you a better, more meaningful overall result... as opposed to a short/burst test that may show a higher speed that your ISP won't maintain with sustained use.

What I said in the post is that I doubted the speed. I usually test more than one site when I do check. The other sites never reach the speed results. I forget which site it is. Even if the site was Speedtest.... then why the more believable ping result yet a speed which seems to indicate in-country speed? I do not use the Speedtest site normally because of the past ping results.

Regarding the time of day: I have 3bb Premiere at my house and the time of day has little effect on my speeds. I have the 10mbps account at a studio north of Chiang Mai and it is not as consistent and occasionally has line drops. For me and these 2 accounts the Premiere is well worth the extra cost.

Since this thread has been left in the Chiang Mai forum, I thought it would be about 3bb and internet in Chiang Mai. As I posted tin reply to the person in Khon Khaen (or where ever it was), the results given would not help me compare. Just as Bangkok results would not help to compare with Chiang Mai. Take True as an example.

Edited November 21, 2013 by hml367

[hml367]

This happens every time I make two tests. This is from the flash speedtest because this particular computer does not have java on it. It seems that when I do the comparison between Testmy flash test and the java test the difference is similar to these differences.

8:33 p.m.

<a href="http://speedtest.dslreports.com"><img border=0 src="http://www.dslreports.com/im/105908909/6866.png"></a>

8:36 p.m.

:::.. Download Speed Test Result Details ..:::
Download Connection Speed:: 2041 Kbps or 2 Mbps
Download Speed Test Size:: 3 MB or 3072 kB or 3145728 bytes
Download Binary File Transfer Speed:: 255 kB/s
Tested At:: http://TestMy.net Version 13

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Under a lot of Thai ISP plans, 5 Mbps would be a modest speed for incountry connections... hardly fast. I wouldn't necessarily assume a 5 Mbps speed test result to be a domestic Thai result, especially for someone using a higher level plan... though it certainly could be.

And, in my experience, the time of day issue (slowdown in primetime hours) is much more related to international traffic as opposed to domestic inside Thailand traffic.

But then again, I don't a lot of my time on the Internet accessing resources that are based inside Thailand.

[hml367]

NIvram,

I sent a PM

[Chamezz]

Anyone having trouble with the connecting dieing the past week?

I'm in Sankamphaeng on 3BB Cable and the internet dies about 20 times a day. One of my neighbors is having the exact same issue, but he is on 3BB 3G.

I'm using an Asus DSL-N55U as modem, so I doubt that would be the issue.

[DaamNaam]

Anyone having trouble with the connecting dieing the past week?

I'm in Sankamphaeng on 3BB Cable and the internet dies about 20 times a day. One of my neighbors is having the exact same issue, but he is on 3BB 3G.

I'm using an Asus DSL-N55U as modem, so I doubt that would be the issue.

Same problem out here in Hang Dong. Been a few weeks now. No luck getting anyone here either, keep saying tomorrow. Getting a little fed up.

Had it on here since March without so much as a hiccup, until now.

[GBK]

Yep, my "15" Mbs Trueshite line here in Chonburi is averaging 2Mbps. Utter rubbish.

Anyone hereabouts using the 3BB Premier line? Better?

[Mekong Bob]

Yep, my "15" Mbs Trueshite line here in Chonburi is averaging 2Mbps. Utter rubbish.

Anyone hereabouts using the 3BB Premier line? Better?

I live in Hang Dong District (Chiang Mai), on Irrigation Canal Road, near Floral Garden / Night Safari (major intersection).

I use 3BB Premier package (5MB download, 1MB upload), at monthly charge 2,675 baht. This monthly charge was determined after I indicated I needed a good download speed for downloading movies and sporting events from U.S. servers, as well as streaming from Slingbox (U.S. tv programs) and torrent sites. I am fully satisfied with this service.

A few weeks ago, I learned that 3BB was adding fiber-optic lines in this part of Hang Dong, and that I could expect this new service to be available by "the end of this year." 1,200 baht per month (promotional rate), 30MB download, 3MB upload. Wow!!!

Am I missing something here? Before I jump, should I ask further questions of 3BB?

Please advise!

[GBK]

Questions are always advisable. Preferably from someone who already has the service.

From their website:

"The company reserves the right in case the connecting speed is lower than advertised due to network limitation factors."

I know they need to say this, but it seems to be the norm, rather than an aberration.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

This is from BKK, not CM, but presumably there are some parallels.

The wife and I stopped by the 3BB shop at CentralWorld today and enquired about their FTTx (Fiber to the X) service, and got the following answers from their staff:

--One year service commitment required, no refunds or backing out if dissatisfied.

--2,000 baht deposit on the equipment (I presume modem)

--free installation still available

--30Mb / 3 Mb plan (domestic Thailand) promo priced at 1200 baht per month

And then this nice kicker:

--if the account's in the name of a farang, they will require 6 months service paid upfront, in addition to the deposit.

--If the account's in the name of a Thai, just the deposit and initial month's service fee.

[onthedarkside]

Just signed up for the 3BB 30 Meg fiber package. It's always been a one year deal for all 3BB services.Thai's pay month by month. Foreigners need to pay up front (thought it was one year) as too many seasonal visitors sign up and then drop out. Paid 3,284 baht- includes fiber modem and installation.

[samsara]

Yep, my "15" Mbs Trueshite line here in Chonburi is averaging 2Mbps. Utter rubbish.

Anyone hereabouts using the 3BB Premier line? Better?

I live in Hang Dong District (Chiang Mai), on Irrigation Canal Road, near Floral Garden / Night Safari (major intersection).

I use 3BB Premier package (5MB download, 1MB upload), at monthly charge 2,675 baht. This monthly charge was determined after I indicated I needed a good download speed for downloading movies and sporting events from U.S. servers, as well as streaming from Slingbox (U.S. tv programs) and torrent sites. I am fully satisfied with this service.

A few weeks ago, I learned that 3BB was adding fiber-optic lines in this part of Hang Dong, and that I could expect this new service to be available by "the end of this year." 1,200 baht per month (promotional rate), 30MB download, 3MB upload. Wow!!!

Am I missing something here? Before I jump, should I ask further questions of 3BB?

Please advise!

youve been getting ripped off. your package for "intl usage" should be 890 thb/month, not 2.675. thats an absurd price. i pay 890 for 13/1, and get those speeds for both domestic and intl traffic.

jump to the fiber package ASAP.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Just signed up for the 3BB 30 Meg fiber package. It's always been a one year deal for all 3BB services.Thai's pay month by month. Foreigners need to pay up front (thought it was one year) as too many seasonal visitors sign up and then drop out. Paid 3,284 baht- includes fiber modem and installation.

I'm guessing your 3,284 baht breaks down as:

--2000 refundable equipment deposit

--1200 one month's service

--and perhaps some VAT for the remainder.

Does that mean you signed up for the service under a Thai ID as opposed to a farang one?

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

youve been getting ripped off. your package for "intl usage" should be 890 thb/month, not 2.675. thats an absurd price. i pay 890 for 13/1, and get those speeds for both domestic and intl traffic.

I doubt that's correct.

The 3BB Premiere service, while significantly higher priced, has been reported by members here as actually providing its rated speed or close to them for international connections, and they've provided legitimate speed test results to back up those reports. Because the "Premiere" service means 3BB isn't overloading those lines, unlike its regular service. Hence the steep price tag.

On the other hand, their cheaper consumer packages like 13/1 Mb for 890 baht are overloaded, and rarely will, IN REALITY, provide single stream connections to U.S. or Europe anywhere close to 13 Mbs... They might/probably would provide better results, closer to the 13 Mb, for multi-threaded downloading. But that's a different proposition, and can't be used for things like streaming video and such.

The only time a 3BB 13/1 user's going to report those kinds of single stream results is if they're relying on Speedtest.net results, which are almost always FALSE in Thailand and in reality reflect only the speed between the user and his ISP -- not anyplace thousands of miles away.

Edited December 31, 2013 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[onthedarkside]

Just signed up for the 3BB 30 Meg fiber package. It's always been a one year deal for all 3BB services.Thai's pay month by month. Foreigners need to pay up front (thought it was one year) as too many seasonal visitors sign up and then drop out. Paid 3,284 baht- includes fiber modem and installation.

I'm guessing your 3,284 baht breaks down as:

--2000 refundable equipment deposit

--1200 one month's service

--and perhaps some VAT for the remainder.

Does that mean you signed up for the service under a Thai ID as opposed to a farang one?

Perhaps I should have said my wife (Thai) signed up, And yes the cost is 1,200 baht.month + 84 baht VAT. To be completely honest we signed up for our 3 properties. One service was installed about 2 weeks ago. While 3BB installation guy was there I made a speed test using tabloid.on WiFi, only clocked at 5 Megs down and 2 Megs up. Engineer quickly said that the 30 Megs was only available by direct connection to the LAN port. I have not bothered checking that as the connection is very stable over WiFi. Still waiting (3 weeks now) for the other 2 installations.