Should I choose the condos recommended ISP or arrange myself at Central Festival?

[hermesalpha]

Should I choose the condos recommended ISP or arrange myself at Central Festival?

I found a nice condo apartment in a big condo complex and will soon move in. I ask the management about internet, and then replied I have to arrange this myself. Then in a stand at their office that had leaflets from one ISP only. So I contacted this ISP (Airnet) and was told I need to sign 1-year contract and pay everything in advance (10,500 THB, speed 10/4 Mbps). Including is his fixing connection problems the same day he told me.

Then I checked with 3BB I think they are called, at Tesco Lotus in Phuket Town (there is also one at Central Festival), and their price was 3,000 cheaper, only 7,000 THB for a full year (they also require me to subsribe for a full year).

So I wonder what to choose? Should I ask the management office first? Perhaps they only allow subscriptions from Airnet they had leaflets from (but I am almost certain they can't do that). Or should I go ahead and just go to Central Festival, pay 7,000 THB and let 3BB install instead? And save 3,000 THB.

(I will only live in the condo apartment for 6 months, so I will pay for 6 months non-usage.)

[Jiu-Jitsu]

If you are a light user, consider Mobile Internet.

Could AirNet be AIS AirNet?

[LivinginKata]

Are you sure the 3BB price is for a cable-less system ? Not likely the condo managers will allow cables, and that's why they push the airnet system.

[hermesalpha]

I asked the AirNet now, and it is wifi they offer for 10,500 baht. I will ask 3BB if theirs also is wifi. If so, the only argument for choosing AirNet would be the prompt service 7 days a week by a Thai who communicates good in English. I don't know yet with 3BB.

[phuketjock]

I asked the AirNet now, and it is wifi they offer for 10,500 baht. I will ask 3BB if theirs also is wifi. If so, the only argument for choosing AirNet would be the prompt service 7 days a week by a Thai who communicates good in English. I don't know yet with 3BB.

I would recommend 3BB, been with them for some time and their people also speak good english.

[hermesalpha]

The management said now only TOT and AirNet can be used. But it seems AirNet has by far the fastest upload (quite relevant for me, I will be uploading files now and then): 4 MB compared to 1/2 MB for TOT. Download is the same: 10 MB. And both is with wifi.

But the price difference is not so much, in the end only 2,000 baht cheaper with TOT for 1 year. The the person I've been in contact with at AirNet speaks best English and always replies prompt.

So I will choose AirNet.

Edited December 25, 2014 by hermesalpha

[Langsuan Man]

Please report back here on your actual "upload" speeds. since the 4 MB upload promised is highly suspect for Thailand

[ByblosYuNaiSoi]

Note my post below is for apartment DSL Service via existing phoneline - it doesn't apply so much in your case. But If you can get a mobile, month-to-month at the mall, that would seem best to me. Comparison shop!

~~~~~~~~~~

My experience with TrueOnline in Chiang Mai (arranged by myself at Central Airport)

Cons:

- Generally not very good.

- Lots of slow slow going, unable to stream a video

- Service interruptions every few days, where I am required to restart the router/modem.

- a full MONTH of mostly no internet, due to a bad router/modem. 6 Visits by their technician (no charge) to fix the problem finally.

- They require a contract.

Pro

- Their online tech support was always courteous and helpful, with good English. They have access to your service history (outages etc) in front of them.

I'm looking forward to reading other posts, and getting a better provider when my contract expires.

Edited December 26, 2014 by ByblosYuNaiSoi

[IAMHERE]

After 6 months, can not you sell your password/ID to someone and recoup some of your costs? After the 12 months are up the Airnet just shuts your ID off, doesn't it?

[hermesalpha]

I think my internet subscription is completely "locked" to where it's installed, but I'm not sure. Anyway, if someone else rent my apartment after the six months I could let him take over my internet.

I had in installed yesterday, works fine so far. Haven't tried uploading yet.