AIS to suddenly stop 1900 mh phone bandwidth, " today or tomorrow.."

[Moonsterk]

Bah Humbug

Just got a text ( in Thai language ) from AIS, So I called to see what the text was despite me asking time and again for texts from AIS to be in English. My non smart phone and its 1900 mh bandwidth will stop working

" maybe tomorrow or the next day.." How incredibly lame is it there is practically no warning. Now I need to buy a new phone that will work on 2100 mh- the phone I have is only 5 months old, too.

This will be the third trip in 3 month I will have been forced to make to AIS shop some distance away, first to register name, then upgrade to 3 g. Jaysus, get it together Thai telecoms.

[wordchild]

Might be worth checking if AIS will offer you a free (or heavily discounted) 3g handset; they have announced that they are going to start doing this to encourage their 2g customers to switch.

[Don Mega]

I thought AIS was using the 900Mhz, 1800Mhz and 210Mhz frequency bands.

[Moonsterk]

^ I might have made an error in that bandwidth label, but my non smart, non i, basic, perfectly functioning communication phone will not work anymore. I can see phasing them out if need be, but to give 1 day notice is flabbergasting.

[lopburi3]

You might want to consider using another provider? AIS is not the only country wide provider.

[wordchild]

they have lost the concession on the 900mhz, which they had leased from TOT and was only used for original 2g customers so I am pretty sure that's the one the OP is on. I must say I thought that they had a bit longer than a few days to switch people over I had thought they had a couple of months before the new owners of the spectrum were ready to operate. As I said above worth checking what AIS will offer to persuade you to switch (and stay with them) you may well get a free phone.

Edited December 25, 2015 by wordchild

[RichCor]

Posted Today, 13:16

Bah Humbug

Just got a text ( in Thai language ) from AIS, So I called to see what the text was despite me asking time and again for texts from AIS to be in English. My non smart phone and its 1900 mh bandwidth will stop working

" maybe tomorrow or the next day.." How incredibly lame is it there is practically no warning. Now I need to buy a new phone that will work on 2100 mh- the phone I have is only 5 months old, too.

This will be the third trip in 3 month I will have been forced to make to AIS shop some distance away, first to register name, then upgrade to 3 g. Jaysus, get it together Thai telecoms.

Practically no warning ???

You must be quite comfortable in that insulated blanket.

Guess you don't read the forums here much, or pay much attention any Thailand News provided in English ...or the telecom home page popups??

The news of the government auctioning off the expired 1800 and 900 CAT and TOT concession spectrum, effectively shutting down 2G service for AIS has been in the making for TWO YEARS.

While AIS was hopeful of winning an auction bid for their existing spectrum, the loss of the 900 spectrum in the last auction means they won't be able to maintain their 2G 900MHz customers. The 1800 spectrum will now exclusively be used for 3G and 4G/LTE network coverage.

By The Way... AIS says it will subsidize portions of the purchase for new 3G capable handsets for existing 2G customers.

AIS has plans in place to keep 2G-900MHz subscribers from straying

Started by Jonathan Fairfield, Today, 07:45

[ignis]

Yes likewise got a message.........

Yes they will give you a 'new' free phone.......... Ha ha ha, went to 2 big places yesterday afternoon.. same reply, 'no have' but you can buy a smart phone.. with discount start @ 790 baht...

Why on earth would I want a smart phone ? end of story my name and number were written down, on a sheet with many pages, with many names on, so they will message when they have the new stock in.. cut off for my service on the old 2G phone is 25 January..

I did have a nice slide phone, loved it, then Hutch [5 years and 2 phones only from Hutch] went so had to have a free phone from True, was same story 'no have' free phone so had to buy, 2 phone in the 6 month contract, then moved to AIS as True was hopeless reception, OK free phone from AIS which lasted all of 2 months, had to buy my own [470 baht] now yet again so say must have a new phone as present one will stop working in less then 4 weeks !!

I must look for a bigger box, the box I have is full of old phones !! well 17 phones in almost 12 years here...... why anyone would pay 20,000 + for a phone that would last maybe 4- 6 months before services stopped is beyond me.......... I need a mobile phone to phone, nothing more, have no need for a camera, would never use it for internet, far to small a screen and hate smart phones that appear to have a mind of there own.. I have a 19,000 baht 8" tablet, hate it, rarely used in over 2 years, err not even charged it for a few months I find it far to difficult to use.

Rant over, guess a few months will be some other problem and must have a new phone !

Edited December 25, 2015 by ignis

[Langsuan Man]

This is Thailand, why would you be surprised that a private utility would treat their customers with the same arrogance that the government treats the populace

I would hope that AIS customers would vote with their wallets and change to another vendor but due to mai pen rai attitude there won't be a blip on AIS's balance sheet

[casualbiker]

Yes likewise got a message.........

Yes they will give you a 'new' free phone.......... Ha ha ha, went to 2 big places yesterday afternoon.. same reply, 'no have' but you can buy a smart phone.. with discount start @ 790 baht...

Why on earth would I want a smart phone ? end of story my name and number were written down, on a sheet with many pages, with many names on, so they will message when they have the new stock in.. cut off for my service on the old 2G phone is 25 January..

I did have a nice slide phone, loved it, then Hutch [5 years and 2 phones only from Hutch] went so had to have a free phone from True, was same story 'no have' free phone so had to buy, 2 phone in the 6 month contract, then moved to AIS as True was hopeless reception, OK free phone from AIS which lasted all of 2 months, had to buy my own [470 baht] now yet again so say must have a new phone as present one will stop working in less then 4 weeks !!

I must look for a bigger box, the box I have is full of old phones !! well 17 phones in almost 12 years here...... why anyone would pay 20,000 + for a phone that would last maybe 4- 6 months before services stopped is beyond me.......... I need a mobile phone to phone, nothing more, have no need for a camera, would never use it for internet, far to small a screen and hate smart phones that appear to have a mind of there own.. I have a 19,000 baht 8" tablet, hate it, rarely used in over 2 years, err not even charged it for a few months I find it far to difficult to use.

Rant over, guess a few months will be some other problem and must have a new phone !

Just went out looking for a Non smart phone for my father in-law. Went to three different Telewiz outlets AND the main AIS shop.. They only have the smartphones in stock. Normal phones "no have" they were quoting 100b to upgrade to the 3G feature phone. Went out into the main mobile area in Big C, ALL the 3G normal phones have gone up in price 200 - 500baht. AIS had better get their finger out and realise that many elderly folk don't WANT a smartphone!

Ohhh also the AIS shop won't take an order for the phone or even have a contact telephone number to check stock... A mobile phone company shop that DOESN'T have a telephone number.. Ridiculous!!

And the shop said 2g will probably turn off 14 January!!!

Edited January 1, 2016 by casualbiker

[frodo77]

Does anyone know the physical size and/or model numbers of the 2 smartphones AIS are offering?

[casualbiker]

Does anyone know the physical size and/or model numbers of the 2 smartphones AIS are offering?

they are offering discounts across the range but the really low cost ones are own brand units. 3.5" and 4" I think. Lava brand. They seem to have the smartphones in stock.. Just not the normal feature phones.

[ignis]

Does anyone know the physical size and/or model numbers of the 2 smartphones AIS are offering?

they are offering discounts across the range but the really low cost ones are own brand units. 3.5" and 4" I think. Lava brand. They seem to have the smartphones in stock.. Just not the normal feature phones.

Went to yet another place yesterday, the cheap Smartphones are Lava 4"......... priced at 2,490 baht but as an upgrade 4G phone to customers of 2 G phones, 799 baht + 3 months free call/service charge.... No they had run out of these at this store so did not get it... but maybe will get one as not to bad + has cam, just did not want a touch screen but guess cannot make to much of a mess of a basic one.

Just why you cannot buy the phone one likes is crazy, my best more modern day phone which I loved was like this, but on Hutch

Edit: to FRODO77 the next size up was the Lava 5" 4,750 baht but as an upgrade 4G phone to customers of 2 G phones, 1,600 baht + 3 months free call/service charge....... or at least at the AIS shop I visited yesterday.. at a big AIS shop maybe have something different, when I visited 2 AIS shops around BKK on 26th Dec did not want a smart phone so did not even look at price..

Edited January 6, 2016 by ignis

[ignis]

Went to AIS in 'Westgate' [there on the 2nd floor] Bang Yai last night, they had many phones in stock + 2 types of Samsung non smartphones both Free on upgrade from G2 to G3

[VBF]

I was in AIS in Pattaya (Central Festival Mall) today 13th Jan.

They told me that 2G would be switched off at the end of January.

I rang 1175 and THEY said "soon but it'll probably be OK for a week or 2" TIT!!!

At present my THGSM is working on an old unlocked Nokia 100 from UK - see my other thread here http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876129-buying-a-cheap-3g-phone-in-pattaya-and-where-is-ais/

[alansiporin]

Hello,

I am pretty dumb about phones and other technology. this will explain my simple questions.

I received the same message from AIS. guess I need to make some type of change. So, questions:

1. I heard that AIS will give free phone with payment of 100 baht for air time. Is this correct?

2. I prefer to NOT be able to access the Internet from the phone. Is this possible with the most basic phone that is acceptable to AIS? Or, just turn off Internet access?

3. If I change phones at AIS shop, I assume I can keep my same number and save my current contacts? Correct?

4. How about changing phone companies? If I change the service on my current phone to True or DTAC can I arrange to have same number I currently have and save contacts?

5. What else to think about?Thanks for help.

[casualbiker]

Alan. You go into AIS. THEY have two basic feature phones. They are capable of internet. Just ask the staff to show you how to turn off. It depends on how much you use your phone to if it is 100b or free.You keep the same number but I believe they may change the sim card. Write down your contact numbers. You can change to a different network BUT you will have to go through it again in a few years!

[VBF]

Hello,

I am pretty dumb about phones and other technology. this will explain my simple questions.

I received the same message from AIS. guess I need to make some type of change. So, questions:

1. I heard that AIS will give free phone with payment of 100 baht for air time. Is this correct?

2. I prefer to NOT be able to access the Internet from the phone. Is this possible with the most basic phone that is acceptable to AIS? Or, just turn off Internet access?

3. If I change phones at AIS shop, I assume I can keep my same number and save my current contacts? Correct?

4. How about changing phone companies? If I change the service on my current phone to True or DTAC can I arrange to have same number I currently have and save contacts?

5. What else to think about?Thanks for help.

Having done this only last week, here are my recent experiences - numbers refer to Alansiporin's questions above: (#16)

1 Yes - but when I went to the AIS shop in Pattaya (Central Festival Mall) they'd mysteriously (?) run out of the 100 Baht phone, but the next one up is the 790 Baht phone (Lava Iris 360) and that gives you 790 Baht of credit so you could say you get a "free" Smart Phone - Google it for specs etc. NB -They will KEEP your old 2G phone if you avail yourself of this offer - I swapped a Noka 100 which cost me about £8 (UKP) Take your passport so they can register as required by Thai law!

2 No problem - simply do not subscribe to a Data Package and switch off the mobile data (it's Android so simple to do and the staff in AIS were very helpful) NB - you can still access via WiFi if you change your mind so if you're in a office/hotel/bar with WiFi just switch it on.

3 Yes and Yes! You hand them your old SIM and they copy it to a new one which copies contacts but NOT saved messages, by the way!

4 Don't know - I stayed with AIS

5 I suppose you could get a 3G phone somewhere else and just upgrade your SIM if you wish to - I was advised to go to AIS, did so - see my comments above. Also see my post #15 in this thread for a link to my OTHER thread about AIS which I started before I came back to Thailand

And......AIS tell you that the "free" phone is locked to AIS. I suspect this to be untrue - when I take my phone back to UK I'll probably unlock it but if you're staying in Thailand and on AIS, don't bother!

Edited January 29, 2016 by VBF

[goldmagpie]

There's a lot of wheeling and dealing going on at the moment. According to muliple recent news stories, both AIS and True are in talks with TOT for the 2G 900 MHz base stations that AIS are still using at this point. AIS is also in talks with JAS regarding their 900 MHz freuquency.

So theoretically, AIS could still keep serving 2G phones in the future. We just don't know yet.

[casualbiker]

There's a lot of wheeling and dealing going on at the moment. According to muliple recent news stories, both AIS and True are in talks with TOT for the 2G 900 MHz base stations that AIS are still using at this point. AIS is also in talks with JAS regarding their 900 MHz freuquency.

So theoretically, AIS could still keep serving 2G phones in the future. We just don't know yet.

I hope TOT aren't stupid enough to do a deal with TRUE..

[alansiporin]

Any update on AIS service being stopped?

I no longer get messages from AIS about this.

As always, confused!

[livram]

Yesterday I received call from AIS advising that in 3 or 4 days my phone will stop working (2G) and that I need to come to the AIS shop in Korat.

[Jessi]

This is Thailand, why would you be surprised that a private utility would treat their customers with the same arrogance that the government treats the populace

I would hope that AIS customers would vote with their wallets and change to another vendor but due to mai pen rai attitude there won't be a blip on AIS's balance sheet

Im one that will be changing from AIS,

Im fed up with all their bullsh!t.

The question is "Change to which company"?

Edited February 6, 2016 by Jessi

[goldmagpie]

AIS now has a deal with DTAC to roam on their 2G frequency. 1800 MHz if I remember correctly. Since that frequency doesn't reach as far as 900, it likely won't mean the same coverage upcountry. But all old Nokias except ones from way more than 10 years ago have at least 900 and 1800.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/AIS-reaches-agreement-on-roaming-with-DTAC-for-its-30278693.html

[Jiu-Jitsu]

This is Thailand, why would you be surprised that a private utility would treat their customers with the same arrogance that the government treats the populace

I would hope that AIS customers would vote with their wallets and change to another vendor but due to mai pen rai attitude there won't be a blip on AIS's balance sheet

Im one that will be changing from AIS,

Im fed up with all their bullsh!t.

The question is "Change to which company"?

It's not their fault. They lost their concession to that frequency in September and so have to move their customers over to the frequencies for which they have a licence.

From March, another company will likely be using the band.

AIS are doing what they can for their customers by offering cut price handsets for 3G and 4G. Look here

Now dry your eyes