Why upgrade a 3G phone to 4G with data caps everywhere?

[WorriedNoodle]

I see today's news AIS has a 4.5G service starting, but I (being of limited knowledge in these matters!) wonder why I would want to upgrade my 3G capable phone?

Even with my 3G only model my data plans are throttled back to 64kbps or something equally useless when meeting 1GB or whatever caps in a short matter of time. Wouldn't getting faster 4G just be pointless when I can barely use 3G at 3G speed for more than a few days a month without cap being reached?

I could see the point of higher speeds, if there were no data caps but there are no plans without caps are there?

[Aachen]

Despite the fact, that 1GB in one week is normally more than enough: There are also other service-packet offered.

[asdecas]

There are plenty of plans that will give you the data you require, it's just a matter of paying more for the one that suits your needs. There are also unlimited data packages.

But I do agree that the marketing intensity is beginning to hot up between rivals now that the 4g licences have been auctioned.

Like every latest 'hot' thing, the pressure is on to sign up, and those vulnerable to the advertising will no doubt do so.

For myself, I generally find my 3g phone and small data package is sufficient for the limited time I'm away from WiFi any given week, but will probably upgrade eventually to 4g.

[Snackbar]

Ignorance is bliss. As said it's marketing bs.

You may or may not know g is for gereration. As in 4th generation wireless technology.

Http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/feature/mobile-phone/what-is-4g-complete-guide-4g-3403880/

[Somnambulist]

I recently replaced my Samsung Note 1 with a Samsung Note 4, and to my pleasant surprise that automatically upgrated me to 4G, and it's several times faster than 3G. I would never go back to 3G. I'm probably not using any more data than before because I usually have Wifi, but when I need it, data loads several times faster. Very nice. I'm still careful to use less data heavy sites when I'm on it, though.

[seancbk]

Worried Noodle,

You just need a better data package.

I'm on AIS, I have a multi Sim package which gives me upto 5 Sims with the same number - I use one in my phone and one in my tablet. Having the same number means the same Line and Whatsapp accounts work on both devices.

I get 7GB of 3G data (it was supposed to be 5GB but I got a 2GB bonus for something)

Despite being a fairly heavy data user I still rarely get past 3GB a month.

I pay around 1500 THB a month (pre pay) not sure of the exact amount as it's not important what I pay, being connected is the priority.

[martijn12345]

It does make browsing, and 'quickly looking something up on the go' a bit faster. From what I have seen many of these 4G plans come with bigger data limits. I spend a lot of time on the road and am a heavy user. I get 5Gb a month and I usually will use between 3 and 5 of them. The moments I love 4g the most. When I am in a hotel room with crappy wifi but i still want to have a skype conversation with the loved ones without blurry cameras or delays in the sound. That already made it worth it for me to upgrade to a 4g phone. But for people who spend most of there time around decent wifi. Who are still happy with their old phone and who really just wonder what the fuzz is about, it might indeed not be worth the upgrade

[Doc46]

Why all the fuss about the phones? A Phone is to call and receive calls and sometime send a SMS .that's where I use my phone for Anything else I use my MacBook Pro.....It works for me, I can do whatever I want ,,Phone calls/ SMS/Internet banking/Skype all my Friends and Family,,,Why would I carry a Smart or I phone that won't fit in my pocket and can't read the print and my fingers are to big to type the letters,,,It's utterly insane,,,,,Amen

Edited January 28, 2016 by Doc46

[anfh]

Obviously having had 4g in UK for some time, I would say that I can't see the point unless you want to download films, tv programmes or watch live etc on your phone. As far as day to day usage - i.e. E-mail, Internet browsing, - I don't see the need.

My Thai phone has 3G and is plenty fast enough as it is.

[rapom]

I have DTac 4G. I use my phone as a mobile hotspot for internet. My current package is 8gb with 4gb bonus total 12 gb a month for 799 Baht includes free wi-fi. Unused gb carry over to next month. I live about 9 kms northeast of Surin and speed varies, 6 to 8 mbs early morning, slower at night. I do not get LTE, mostly H+ where I live, but at Robison's I get LTE connection with speeds over 30 mbs.

[Jdiddy]

If it works fine for you then keep using it

Companies like 4G, it is more flexible and has more efficient use of spectrum, over 10mhz it can do 55mbit vs 3G 42mbit

[wooloomooloo]

I purchase a dtac 4G SIM for my iPhone 6S Plus when in LOS and it's far and away a massive improvement on their 3G network. Not close to EE 4G in the UK but respectable.

[jacko45k]

I haven't reviewed the 4G packages, have you?

The only advantage I see is higher data rates before you reach your cap, but it may also be true the data rate after capping may well be faster than 3G.

I also expect some cheaper 3G packages to be offered.

It is like buying the phone, shop around.

[mcfish]

I bought the 12 gig true package for 850 baht. It's 4 g and it's quick. I've watched a lot of non HD you tube vids and after 7"days I've only used 1.5g

Sent from my SC-01D using Tapatalk

Edited January 28, 2016 by mcfish

[WorriedNoodle]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Like one poster said, I've probably got the wrong package. Having read the responses here, I can see the benefits of faster connect speeds occasionally - especially if on the road without wifi so my next phone and package will be 4G I expect.

For your info I only spend about 400THB on my phone SIM bill every 6 months with DTAC Happy which is exceptional value for me! I am nearly always connected to a wifi source (599THB /month/unlimited ADSL) and have phones 3G data services default turned off and just enroll in a 3G 7THB/day plan whenever the wifi fails which is only about once/twice a month. I use internet for all our infotainment as well including watching live TV etc and have no cable/satellite TVs in our home - for this I would find 12GB data sucked up in no time I would think.

[Glock3am]

I have DTac 4G. I use my phone as a mobile hotspot for internet. My current package is 8gb with 4gb bonus total 12 gb a month for 799 Baht includes free wi-fi. Unused gb carry over to next month. I live about 9 kms northeast of Surin and speed varies, 6 to 8 mbs early morning, slower at night. I do not get LTE, mostly H+ where I live, but at Robison's I get LTE connection with speeds over 30 mbs.

I'm curious - is that a "grandfathered" plan?

I'm also on DTAC's 799 baht (Love & Roll Full Max) plan but I only get 7 GB per month + rollover (there was a 3 GB bonus as well but that was only for the first 6 months of the plan).

I am familiar with their practice of "grandfathering" existing plans as I was on a previous plan for a few years and it stayed the same despite them no longer offering it, until I switched to the new Love & Roll plans that offered better value.

[2008bangkok]

Worried Noodle,

You just need a better data package.

I'm on AIS, I have a multi Sim package which gives me upto 5 Sims with the same number - I use one in my phone and one in my tablet. Having the same number means the same Line and Whatsapp accounts work on both devices.

I get 7GB of 3G data (it was supposed to be 5GB but I got a 2GB bonus for something)

Despite being a fairly heavy data user I still rarely get past 3GB a month.

I pay around 1500 THB a month (pre pay) not sure of the exact amount as it's not important what I pay, being connected is the priority.

Really, you should think about going postpaid, looked at there website earlier you can get 30gb +400 mins for 900 baht on multi share

[mcfish]

I thought the coverage of the service provider was the most important information. Or are they all the same?

Sent from my SC-01D using Tapatalk

[rapom]

Worried Noodle,

You just need a better data package.

I'm on AIS, I have a multi Sim package which gives me upto 5 Sims with the same number - I use one in my phone and one in my tablet. Having the same number means the same Line and Whatsapp accounts work on both devices.

I get 7GB of 3G data (it was supposed to be 5GB but I got a 2GB bonus for something)

Despite being a fairly heavy data user I still rarely get past 3GB a month.

I pay around 1500 THB a month (pre pay) not sure of the exact amount as it's not important what I pay, being connected is the priority.

Really, you should think about going postpaid, looked at there website earlier you can get 30gb +400 mins for 900 baht on multi share

It is a 30 gb plan, but you need to read the terms and conditions. It is a combination of 30gb 4G - 3G speed. Only 6gb is true 4G speed, the other 24gb at 3G speed.