Buy Sim Card for internet access in Isaan

[kalasin]

I will be going to Thailand for two month in a few weeks.

I don't expect to have access to wifi, so I plan to connect to the internet with Sim card via smartphone.

I have looked for solutions and found this from DTAC, and wnat to hear if this is the correct way to do it:

For Sim card buy this: https://www.dtac.co.th/en/prepaid/products/happy-4g-sim.html

For Maximum internet speed buy this add-on (799 baht every month): https://www.dtac.co.th/en/prepaid/products/happy-unlimited-internet-package.html

Is this correct, or are there better ways? Is there any things I should be aware of?

And finaly: Can I buy it in the first 7-eleven?

Best regards

Frank

[nev]

If a new sim card you will have to register it, maybe the 7eleven will register it by you showing your passport, maybe see if there is a DTac shop at the airport you arrive at.

[MichaelSong]

This is the "Maximum" speed in Mbps I got with that package:

[KhunBENQ]

Good to see the TRUE reality.

So many discussions about the need of 4G vs. 3G etc.pp.

Regarding to the OP:

they are all big mouthed in advertising.

"with maximum speed of 100 Mbps" what a laughter.

Rates as shown in previous post show real life.

A "couple" Mbit/s is OK and reachable for most applications.

And on the countryside you have better chances to reach good rates than in densely populated areas.

Whether DTAC, AIS or TRUE is the best choice depends on local coverage/reception level.

The right package?

What do you expect to do on the internet?

If you want to view high quality videos, streaming TV etc. then even the 12 GB/799 Baht will be eaten up in a few days.

For "normal" surfing, email, chat (with low q, video) the package is sufficient.

High end packages are very similar on all operators.

[fullChinese]

no cant be done. it all lies and jest. you have to get a satellite phone in america sign for world satellite there, then use that in isaan.

oh and you have to bring sack fulls of low denomination US dollars to pay for everything because they dont trust foreigners with the local currency.

Edited February 3, 2016 by fullChinese

[KhunBENQ]

no cant be done. it all lies and jest. you have to get a satellite phone in america sign for world satellite there, then use that in isaan.

oh and you have to bring sack fulls of low denomination US dollars to pay for everything because they dont trust foreigners with the local currency.

Is that British humor or where are you from?

I have problems laughing about such nonsense in a thread about telecom.

[jonnit]

This is the "Maximum" speed in Mbps I got with that package:

According to speedtest.org my speed is below average. I see I may have a little drop in speed when I get back to Amnat in March.

[lostinisaan]

I think that there're a lot of positive speed tests. Please ask the coppers.

[Jiu-Jitsu]

There are currently cheaper options for the heavy and very heavy user and also the lighter users.. Won't be surprised if the options get pulled soon enough.

Edited February 4, 2016 by Jiu-Jitsu

[4evermaat]

There are currently cheaper options for the heavy and very heavy user and also the lighter users.. Won't be surprised if the options get pulled soon enough.

There are only 4 major carriers and a few resellers. Not too sure about the secret plan or add-on.

But myCat has some new PrePaid packages worth considering: http://www.mybycat.com/en/PrePay.php?package=30_%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%9E%E0%B9%87%E0%B8%81%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%

2 GB for 250 baht for 31 days validity isn't bad.

But postpaid plans are a bit more flexible:

http://www.mybycat.com/en/PostPay.php?package=4_my-3G-Yue-Ver Or at least they used to be. You get 7GB now for 599 package. It used to be 4 and then 5GB. Havent budged too much on the lower packages. Maybe Dtac prepaid might be a better option. And it is prepaid.

They throttle the overage fair use cap at 384 kbps unless you have a plan that is throttled at 512 kbps. It's fast enough to do basic searches and web browsing. But some of the other carriers it can be 64-128kbps which is worse than dialup speed.

Edited February 4, 2016 by 4evermaat

[Jiu-Jitsu]

There are currently cheaper options for the heavy and very heavy user and also the lighter users.. Won't be surprised if the options get pulled soon enough.

There are only 4 major carriers and a few resellers. Not too sure about the secret plan or add-on.

But myCat has some new PrePaid packages worth considering: http://www.mybycat.com/en/PrePay.php?package=30_%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%9E%E0%B9%87%E0%B8%81%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%

2 GB for 250 baht for 31 days validity isn't bad.

But postpaid plans are a bit better:

http://www.mybycat.com/en/PostPay.php?package=4_my-3G-Yue-Ver Or at least they used to be. Maybe Dtac might be a better option.

Currently a lot better than that. I'm not complaining.

[dddave]

Study up and be aware of the plans from various carriers that fit your needs but wait until you get there before making your decision. No one carrier covers all of Isarn better than others, it can really be a region by region, even village by village thing depending on tower locations and terrain. If you will be staying with a GF or friends, ask them what provider is best in their location for 3 or 4g, they will certainly know.

In the village where my GF lived in Khon Kaen, only AIS had a usable signal yet just a few km down the road, only True came through.

BTW, last time I came through Survanabhumi, they still had piles of free D-TAC Sim's at the immigration booths. Keep an eye out for them. Easy set up.

Edited February 4, 2016 by dddave

[Jiu-Jitsu]

Study up and be aware of the plans from various carriers that fit your needs but wait until you get there before making your decision. No one carrier covers all of Isarn better than others, it can really be a region by region, even village by village thing depending on tower locations and terrain. If you will be staying with a GF or friends, ask them what provider is best in their location for 3 or 4g, they will certainly know.

In the village where my GF lived in Khon Kaen, only AIS had a usable signal yet just a few km down the road, only True came through.

BTW, last time I came through Survanabhumi, they still had piles of free D-TAC Sim's at the immigration booths. Keep an eye out for them. Easy set up.

Usually these are from TRUE H. Don't remember ever getting a free DTAC SIM at the airport.

[dddave]

Study up and be aware of the plans from various carriers that fit your needs but wait until you get there before making your decision. No one carrier covers all of Isarn better than others, it can really be a region by region, even village by village thing depending on tower locations and terrain. If you will be staying with a GF or friends, ask them what provider is best in their location for 3 or 4g, they will certainly know.

In the village where my GF lived in Khon Kaen, only AIS had a usable signal yet just a few km down the road, only True came through.

BTW, last time I came through Survanabhumi, they still had piles of free D-TAC Sim's at the immigration booths. Keep an eye out for them. Easy set up.

Usually these are from TRUE H. Don't remember ever getting a free DTAC SIM at the airport.

They often do hand out TRUE "International Calling" SIMS at the arrivals gate but the DTAC SIMs I'm referring to were actually stacked for the taking next to the window of each Immigration kiosk.

[Buddumber]

depends totally where you are located. fix that before you fix anything else.

then check your wifi signals. may be free city wifi, or wifi from http://www.3bb.co.th/3bb/ or other local source, check these first before going for the mobile phone packages.

but note that the local sources my vary from useless, unable to connect, to very acceptable. so say it again, fix your location first.

have had true dtac and ais. when i need to use this method i use dtac in a usb dongle. have used the others. still use ais in the phone but true have let slide. dtac had the best packages for my usage (weekly plans) last i checked 2 or 3 months ago.

sim cards are inexpensive so you can try all of them for your particular usage for next to no cost for the sim card.

Edited February 5, 2016 by Buddumber