CAT 3G Packages?

[ryanhull]

Hello,

I keep hearing people talking about CAT internet... we have a CAT office up NE but it looks more like an office than a shop you would walk in,... where can I find out what 3G packages CAT offer? do they offer unlimited packages or is it fair usage?

I hear TOT also offer 3G?

I am living in the sticks and although I am lucky I get good true move internet 3G here, I am getting fed up of the limits... my smart TV would work here and the download is sometimes as good as 15mb, but I am worried the data would be sucked up in a day even on the 20gb package.

I am told that TOT is CAT, well uses there system? where would one but a TOT sim card from with 3G and how do I know what packages they have on offer? I assume they are going to be capped to a certain GB and no networks offer completely unlimited 3G?

For example, when I was living in London some years ago I used a 'Three' aircard, they gave me unlimited internet... when I say unlimited I would leave it dl`ing films 24/7 and use up to 100GB a month... they then brought in fair use policys and stopped tethering... probably due to people like me abusing it but at the time I was moving around alot with work so it was ideal..

I am aware of the true, dtac, ais etc packages thanks to you guys but I really need completely unlimited hence my questions on TOT/CAT

We did ask regarding a proper internet solution and was told get 9 people to sign up, I have asked around here in the village if anyone is interested and they just laugh at me... I did have a laugh when they wanted to connect to my current hotspot and told them 300 bhat a day, to be honest I wouldn't let anyone apart from my wife have the password because it would only take a few of them streaming youtube and the data would be gone in no time!

I have made a few simular posts to this, yet I really wanted to have this post on Village internet options more so anyone who knows of completely uncapped 3g packages or CAT/TOT 3g? cheers

[ryanhull]

Alright, I have scanned this forum, and scanned google... I kind of get the impression that TOT 3G is some sort of urban myth!

[Anthony5]

There are no uncapped 3G packages in Thailand.

CAT and TOT are different government entities.

This are the CAT 3G packages, and I understand that if you have CAT signal you can use a True Move package as well.

http://www.mybycat.com/about.php?id=31〈=_en

Edited August 3, 2015 by Anthony5

[ryanhull]

There are no uncapped 3G packages in Thailand

But there is! I have ready so many posts regarding TOT3G uncapped plans, your limited to 2mb speeds but completely uncapped data.... I know true etc is technically uncapped you just drop down to EDGE speeds which really is barely usable!

CAT offer 3G I am told, and so do TOT, yet I have never seen anyone using either nor a TOT sim card in all my time here, also people on this forum talk about TOT3G yet posts are very old and no one really gives much detail? surely TOT3G want to be offering the services quite clearly same with CAT... if you are correct and they do not offer unlimited 3g speeds, then what are they offering?

[Anthony5]

There are no uncapped 3G packages in Thailand

But there is! I have ready so many posts regarding TOT3G uncapped plans, your limited to 2mb speeds but completely uncapped data.... I know true etc is technically uncapped you just drop down to EDGE speeds which really is barely usable!

CAT offer 3G I am told, and so do TOT, yet I have never seen anyone using either nor a TOT sim card in all my time here, also people on this forum talk about TOT3G yet posts are very old and no one really gives much detail? surely TOT3G want to be offering the services quite clearly same with CAT... if you are correct and they do not offer unlimited 3g speeds, then what are they offering?

True Move is reseller for CAT., and have wide spread network.

TOT is a complete different animal, and have very limited coverage of 3G. I think only in the big cities.

[ryanhull]

True Move is reseller for CAT., and have wide spread network.

TOT is a complete different animal, and have very limited coverage of 3G. I think only in the big cities.

Ok, thanks for the information, but have you ever seen a TOT sim card, or any information on TOT3G packages? I currently get full signal on true, and I suspect I would get good signal on TOT yet given I wouldn't even know where to buy a sim let alone check out the data plans?

[Anthony5]

True Move is reseller for CAT., and have wide spread network.

TOT is a complete different animal, and have very limited coverage of 3G. I think only in the big cities.

Ok, thanks for the information, but have you ever seen a TOT sim card, or any information on TOT3G packages? I currently get full signal on true, and I suspect I would get good signal on TOT yet given I wouldn't even know where to buy a sim let alone check out the data plans?

Do a simple network search with your smartphone and it will show all the available networks in your area.

There are TOT offices nationwide, because TOT is the landline provider, and that is where you would buy a SIM.

http://www.tot3g.net/Prepaid/Promotion/date_prepaid.aspx?lang=en-US#.Vb-Yykb4U3U

TOT 3G coverage

http://icoverage.tot3g.net/

Edited August 3, 2015 by Anthony5

[ryanhull]

This is what I get but surely it would at least pick it up?

[Anthony5]

This is what I get but surely it would at least pick it up?

So you can scrap TOT.

[ryanhull]

Thanks for the replies Anthony it is appreciated.....

Yes it seems so, however according to there coverage map, I have a mask very close! heh, who knows how accurate that coverage map is though.... I guess I will try that scan in the center of Roi Et tomorrow and see if it even gets it then.... I still do find the TOT3G very vague, I know you posted the site up but I cannot read Thai and the english version does not switch, I do not see prices/packages info etc.

Thanks

[RichCor]

TOT licensed out their towers and equipment under "concession" to AIS GSM/2G ... the 900/1800 spectrums going up for auction very soon.

CAT licensed out their towers and equipment under "concession" to both DTAC and TRUE/REAL.

While TOT also did a build-out on 2100, it's really rather limited. Here where I live, they only have ONE tower servicing TOT3G.
Not sure what CAT is doing with their "MY" subsidiary.

I think CAT has 8 different websites, all seemingly frozen in time, talking about their group of services.

I can almost predict that both CAT and TOT will have to shutter their Wireless Phone businesses once all the new licenses are issued and their 'concessions' have run their coarse.

CAT and TOT have miserable wireless business strategies, with hardly any meaningful marketing or self promotion in play. I believe TOT's MNVOs are unhappy outside of the main cities due to poor coverage.

As for uncapped wireless, TrueMove did have a 512kbps unlimited for 59 THB/Week (available through 7Eleven).

Haven't used it for a couple of months so they may have converted it to capped and FUP 64kbps.

[Anthony5]

TOT licensed out their towers and equipment under "concession" to AIS GSM/2G ... the 900/1800 spectrums going up for auction very soon.

CAT licensed out their towers and equipment under "concession" to both DTAC and TRUE/REAL.

While TOT also did a build-out on 2100, it's really rather limited. Here where I live, they only have ONE tower servicing TOT3G.

Not sure what CAT is doing with their "MY" subsidiary.

I think CAT has 8 different websites, all seemingly frozen in time, talking about their group of services.

I can almost predict that both CAT and TOT will have to shutter their Wireless Phone businesses once all the new licenses are issued and their 'concessions' have run their coarse.

CAT and TOT have miserable wireless business strategies, with hardly any meaningful marketing or self promotion in play. I believe TOT's MNVOs are unhappy outside of the main cities due to poor coverage.

As for uncapped wireless, TrueMove did have a 512kbps unlimited for 59 THB/Week (available through 7Eleven).

Haven't used it for a couple of months so they may have converted it to capped and FUP 64kbps.

I am currently on True Move H postpaid 4G Ismart, 8 Gb 3g/4g and 600 minutes call to all networks for 550 Bht +vat. After the 8Gb you get 384 Kb's speed.

Normally 1099 Bht but 50% discount for the first 12 months.

Edited August 3, 2015 by Anthony5

[RichCor]

Oh, here are some MY by CAT 3G Coverage Maps (2012 predictions really) from Anthony's CAT link.

Bangkok

Center

North

East

Northeast

South

...well, at least they can say they tried.

[ryanhull]

I am currently on True Move H postpaid 4G Ismart, 8 Gb 3g/4g and 600 minutes call to all networks for 550 Bht +vat. After the 8Gb you get 384 Kb's speed.

Normally 1099 Bht but 50% discount for the first 12 months.

I am not so bothered about the calls, and as I understand you can get 20gb 4g for around 1099? Are you using a 4G device? if so is it much faster than 3G?

I am wanting to test out 4G here soon as I do get full true signal, although I can get 15mb download speeds as quite spots be nice to test against 4G on a decent 4G device/modem... I digress...

Seems the mycat/tot3g is dead, all posts I find on this are ancient... I am going to pop into my TOT shop tomorrow and ask about 3G for a laugh, they will probably look at my confused like when I went into the local IT shop here to ask about 3G rooters.

[bamnutsak]

There are no uncapped 3G packages in Thailand.

I think TOT still has the two post-paid "Storm" packages which are uncapped in monthly volume, but the speed is capped at 1 or 2 Mbps from the beginning.

http://www.tot3g.net/wap/promotiondetail.aspx?pid=23

Obviously you'd need to be relatively near one of the ~ 5,200 TOT 3G/2100 MHz base-stations.

That said, bot CAT and TOT are struggling a bit now, and we are in the midst of both concession and spectrum turn-over, but the Junta is keen on making sure TOT and CAT survive (they might even be merged). Both are frantically looking for both domestic and foreign partnerships.

Are you unable to get service like TOT WiNET? AIS AirNET? Can you pay to pull copper or fiber close to your home? If not, maybe just prepare to spend a lot on 3G, or move.

[chakeeoyen]

TOT no longer offers the Perfect Storm package. I have it only because I signed up for it when the promotion was still running. Until I was able to get AIS Fibre, it's been my main internet connection and it's definitely decent here in Bangkok. I guess it won't work for you though given your network scan. If you care to look, the new Perfect Storm can be found here under the name "Xcode Delta" and now costs 1,590THB.

http://tot3g.net/Postpaid/Promotion/x-code.aspx

If you can tolerate a 1mbps connection with no cap. AIS has their super plan post paid option. You can find it if you login to their eService. I currently use this package on my phone and I'm able to stream radio, watch low quality YouTube videos and everything else no problem.

I've logged in to take a screencap of what I'm talking about.

Edited August 4, 2015 by chakeeoyen

[bamnutsak]

Based on the screenshot it seems like you can get both TrueMove H 3G/850 MHz (supplied by CAT, resold by TrueMove H) and TrueMove H 3G/2100 Mhz. You may be able to get TrueMove H 4G/2100 MHz, but I wouldn't count on that as I assume you are in a rural area.

Obviously the best option would be a package from TrueMove H.

Review their web-site(s) to get a feel for the options.

For testing purposes, they do have a pre-paid 12 GB ( 4 GB + 8 GB bonus)/384 Kbps FuP/799 baht (~ 860 THB)/month. There are probably other/similar/better options? You may have to get a new SIM from TrueMove H, free, mapped to your existing number. I just did this to be able to get 4G.

http://truemoveh.truecorp.co.th/4g/sim-truemoveh/prepaid/entry/3340

[bamnutsak]

Thai AIS Super Plan looks interesting. The OP does have an AIS 3G/2100 signal according to the screenshot.

http://www.ais.co.th/3g-postpaid/my-super-plan.aspx?language=en

You can step through the options. (click "Current Customer" to see all the goodies chakeeoyen mentions)

Edited August 4, 2015 by bamnutsak

[muratremix]

One can get 2x ais 1Mbit sim + aircard and combine them via Speedify to get combined 2mbit connection if money is not an issue.

Although TOT 2mbit would cost less, it doesn't cover rural areas except towncenters

[Anthony5]

I am currently on True Move H postpaid 4G Ismart, 8 Gb 3g/4g and 600 minutes call to all networks for 550 Bht +vat. After the 8Gb you get 384 Kb's speed.

Normally 1099 Bht but 50% discount for the first 12 months.

I am not so bothered about the calls, and as I understand you can get 20gb 4g for around 1099? Are you using a 4G device? if so is it much faster than 3G?

I am wanting to test out 4G here soon as I do get full true signal, although I can get 15mb download speeds as quite spots be nice to test against 4G on a decent 4G device/modem... I digress...

Seems the mycat/tot3g is dead, all posts I find on this are ancient... I am going to pop into my TOT shop tomorrow and ask about 3G for a laugh, they will probably look at my confused like when I went into the local IT shop here to ask about 3G rooters.

I also don't bother about the calls, because I even can't use them since the SIM is in an aircard, but it was the most convenient package data/price wise for me.

A data only package for 8Gb was more than 550 Bht.

I'm using a 3G device, because I only can receive the 4G signal in the past 2 weeks, but what I understand is that it isn't much better than 3G for data download.

You're lucky you get 15 Mb as I get 2.5Mb on the better days.

From the screenshot you posted you can't receive 4G, or your phone isn't 4G enabled, because the True 4G signal is on True 3G+., which doesn't show in your screenshot.

[phil2]

My TOT 3G signal strength / reception was strong when I was at the Phu Nam Ron border crossing a couple of years ago.

[farmerjo]

You will ask the same questions over and over with the same result till you finally spend the money for fibre optic.

I did the same for 9 years.

[Anthony5]

You will ask the same questions over and over with the same result till you finally spend the money for fibre optic.

I did the same for 9 years.

Some people may not have the choice of Fiber optic or even ADSL.

[muratremix]

You will ask the same questions over and over with the same result till you finally spend the money for fibre optic.

I did the same for 9 years.

Some people may not have the choice of Fiber optic or even ADSL.

If you agree to pay cable deployment fee, TOT usually accepts

But it won't be cheap.

[Anthony5]

You will ask the same questions over and over with the same result till you finally spend the money for fibre optic.

I did the same for 9 years.

Some people may not have the choice of Fiber optic or even ADSL.

If you agree to pay cable deployment fee, TOT usually accepts

But it won't be cheap.

That's what I mean. BTV has fiber optic available in my street but only 1300 meters away.

I inquired to extend it to my place, and initially they wanted 70.000 Baht, later they came down to 40.000.

I kindly refused the offer.

[muratremix]

For 1300 meters, phone cable should cost much less. ADSL still better than 3g.

I paid like 8k baht for 1-1.5 km phone cable when TOT came to our village 4 years ago.

[bamnutsak]

Plus if you can share the installation charge with at least one other, spread out over 10 years it might come down to 50 ~ 100 baht/month. Break-even vs. 3G is what, measured in hours?

[RichCor]

For 1300 meters, phone cable should cost much less. ADSL still better than 3g.

I paid like 8k baht for 1-1.5 km phone cable when TOT came to our village 4 years ago.

Think I paid about 2k THB for 250m fiber optic line when TOT transitioned me from ADSL to Fiber Optic a year ago.

[ryanhull]

Thanks for the replies all... I have been speaking to a few locals, the village to the left of us have the internet and so does the village to the right of us... so hopefully I should be able to connect in the middle?

Anyway, I am going to the TOT shop tomorrow to dig further... I got the feeling we got fobbed off last time we called the call center, I dont mind paying a bit... wouldn't like to pay more than max 10k really but if it means getting the smart TV online (wife is happy) and me being able to use the internet properly so be it... I am currently using 4G and getting good speeds but to be honest I am constantly checking my data usage and its a ball ache,

Cheers

[RichCor]

Plus if you can share the installation charge with at least one other, spread out over 10 years it might come down to 50 ~ 100 baht/month. Break-even vs. 3G is what, measured in hours?

Yes.

Ryan,

If the ISP refuses to service your residence, or says "Maybe in a few years", ASK to talk to an area manager. If the manager says the same, ask them how many people in your village need to sign up to service the village.

Or, ask them what other options are available to get service to you, or others in your village (ie: TOT WiNet).

There should have been a reason why those other villages were able to get service, and why yours did not. Could be those other villages are closer to an exchange (facility where all the wires come together).