Getting my own internet line in an apartment building

[ajarnyai]

I just moved to Chiang Mai and I'm having a lot of trouble getting internet put into my apartment. There is service already installed in the building, but I can't use it for my purposes. I asked the building manager and was told that they contacted 3bb and they would need to run an additional line inside the building or connect to an existing line (switchboard) and the owner doesn't want that.

My service in Roi-Et was with a CAT reseller and they just ran a coaxial cable from the telephone pole to my room from the outside of the building. I've gone around to TRUE, TOT, and CAT, and I'm getting a lot of run around because they don't want to coordinate the installation with me because I am not the owner.

Has anyone had a problem like this, and where do you think the problem lies? I think the owner doesn't want any responsibility or cost, and they are too lazy (doesn't want to make the few phone calls it might take to satisfy a new tenant). I of course stated that I would pay for everything, and pay the owner if need be, but I don't know if my message was delivered to the owner. My Thai isn't good enough to work this out with the internet companies, and in the end the owner or manager needs to be involved.

Do I need to move into a house or condo to get my own internet? Is this normal for an apartment to have reservations about a simple wire and hole in the wall? Am I missing something?

Help!

[John_Betong]

I have had three True land-lines installed. Each time True insisted on written authority from the owner of the apartment block.

Once True have the letter the installation usually takes a couple of days.

If you get the land-line in a Thai person's name it will save you 2,000 Baht.

[koeko]

If you get the land-line in a Thai person's name it will save you 2,000 Baht.

Good to know!

I've also tried to get a True ADSL line but they said that my condo was too high (6th floor) and refused to take my money.

[John_Betong]

First installation was on the eight floor, second was a town house, now on the nineteenth floor.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Mrjlh]

Had same issue in Bangkok. If building owner refuses to give permission you are out of luck and you will need to move to a place where owner will give permission. As simple as that and no other choice. Even if you offered to pay for the complete installation.

[EyesWideOpen]

Here is a Thai tip for you. Tell the owner you are going to move out unless you can get an internet line put in.

Then sit back and watch how fast things move.....

[HardenedSoul]

If you get the land-line in a Thai person's name it will save you 2,000 Baht.

Good to know!

I've also tried to get a True ADSL line but they said that my condo was too high (6th floor) and refused to take my money.

They were bullshitting you.

When I had ADSL a couple of years ago, True installed it in my 8th floor apartment.

[kjhbigv]

Done it a few times in the past, but it takes persistence, get a Thai to help out if you can.

If you have a phone line in your room or just a line down to reception, it is easy for 3BB etc to do.

The contract has to be in your name and will be min 1 yr. There will be an installation charge as well.

Get friendly with the security guard (or whoever is responsible for the day to day management of the building), not necessarily the owner.

Maybe offer him/her an incentive to make it worth their while.

Alternatively, you could say you are leaving unless it is put in.......but this can backfire, especially if it is a large development and the owner is worth millions....they won't care less if you leave!

What development is it?

I would try the first option first!

Edited December 9, 2013 by kjhbigv

[recycler]

If they don't allow you to install a new line you could try with TOT if the can provide WiNet there.

It's a wireless system that has a directional beam to the nearest telecom tower of TOT.

In my village they also don't allow any new cables to get proper connections, so I used it for 2 years and it's good, I had a 30 mb down 1 up service.

Another option is an unlimited 3G service.

I moved to a house on the corner of the village and have my own fiber now.

Success!

[lomatopo]

Every building/housing development/condo is different.

Some have exclusive agreements with a single service provider, and it is impossible to get a different one, even when offering financial incentive to the building management.

Some just do not want more cable installed as they've had issues disrupting existing services during a new install.

Other times it is physically impossible for one or more service provider to support the installation based on any number of challenges.

Some service providers may not want to enter in to a contract with a foreigner.

Obviously, the best solution is to find a place which already has internet, or where it can be installed easily, along with confirmation/agreement re: contracts, names. prices, etc.

Also agree that some of the PTP Wireless solutions might be an option. We're supporting several AIS AIrNET installs - in new housing developments where fixed-line broadband is not yet available, and that service seems to be pretty good so far. But this does require installation of a smallish antenna (loaf of bread size), with line-of-sight to the serving tower.

http://www.ais.co.th/airnet/th/index.html

http://www.3bb.co.th/product/product_detail.php?id=2095

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/575870-t-o-t-wi-fi-internet-anyone-using-it/

[fxloader]

Had same issue in Bangkok. If building owner refuses to give permission you are out of luck and you will need to move to a place where owner will give permission. As simple as that and no other choice. Even if you offered to pay for the complete installation.

It happened to me once , apartment manager said use our wifi installation ...

Business matters..

But they dont understand that there system is aleady overloaded..it like trying to get a rope through a needle hole.

[ajarnyai]

I haven't read through all of the responses yet, but thank you very much. I have a convenient location and a great view from the roof. I would hate to give it up, but I will. With any luck, I can get back online before the end of the month.

[cacruden]

You can offer the owner an incentive to allow you to install the line.... cash sometimes can move mountains.

Are you paying thai prices or farang prices for your apartment? If farang prices maybe a combination of stick and incentive at same time.

[koeko]

Are you paying thai prices or farang prices for your apartment?

How do you tell the difference between Thai prices and Farang prices?

[cacruden]

Ask a Thai living in your apartment what they would be paying if they were renting your apartment.

You want to make sure that when you are trying to get the owner to comply with what you want that you do not make him lose face and make an offer to pay money to him to cover any expenses and inconveniences that he might have..... or to pay for basically being able to use your residence as both a home and office so you don't have to rent office space. You basically want to get to the point where he might be willing to renegotiate your apartment deal a little bit - and you want to give him an incentive to go out of his way. Won't necessarily work, but it definitely won't work if you don't try.

Edited December 13, 2013 by cacruden