Is it possible to get fast, reliable internet in a Bangkok/Samut Prakan condo, or is a townhouse with fiber optic necessary?

[americann00b]

I will be moving back to Bangkok, and I need very reliable internet for my online video conferences for work. My last apartment had a very slow connection, and when I called every carrier about getting some kind of internet installed, they all said they couldn't do it in my area (Ekkamai), despite the fact that a couple months before, the people right next to me got their own line installed. Tethering from my phone was not quite good enough for my needs. I need maybe 1 MBPS upload speed or higher. 

 

So, I am worried about how to get a good internet connection in my next place. I have read that most condos can't get fiber optic installed, so I was thinking that I would have to rent a townhouse to get my own fiber optic line. But maybe I was unlucky at my apartment and most condos do have strong internet options? I don't necessarily need fiber optic speeds, as I really don't need very high download speeds, but I need latency to be as low as possible, and I believe fiber optic is my best choice for that. And am I wrong to assume that I can easily get fiber optic installed in a townhouse? My budget for internet could go as high as 3,000 thb/month or so if need be. I am looking at places near the BTS or MRT in Bangkok and Samut Prakan (Samrong line).

 

I did find a couple of condos on the outskirts of the city that specifically list "fiber optic internet," but I'm wondering if that would mean I could get my own line, or if it would be shared among a lot of people and not end up being the same quality as getting my own line installed? 

 

Thanks so much for any advice. I apologize for any factual inaccuracies; I am still learning about how the internet/routers/wifi/fiber/etc. works.

Edited August 9, 2017 by americann00b

[KittenKong]

1 hour ago, americann00b said:

I need maybe 1 MBPS upload speed or higher. 

 

Even the most basic ADSL should give you that. Are you sure that your other house didnt just have a very poor quality phone line?

 

My 700B/month VDSL gives me 20Mbs upload and even that is actually throttled from the 30+Mbs that the line is capable of.

 

As for latency, yes fibre will be a bit better but basically the speed of light is what is limiting you. Last I heard that was still immutable.

[muratremix]

Why not AIS Unlimited 4G package? 4mbps down, 4mbps upload for 450 thb + VAT?

You can use it in your condo aswell.

 

before you move to your new home, learn what options you have in there. It is different everywhere. Some places have 3 or more ISP option, some only has ONE.

[mtls2005]

Talk to people who live in the same building or development first. Ask what they have, and if they are happy.

 

Very generally speaking, a free-standing house or town-house may make installation easier. Lower floors also may make a fiber home-run easier.

 

You want to get your own dedicated line.

 

There is no way to know what is meant "fiber optic internet"? To me that might mean that one or more ISPs can/will install fiber in that location.

 

Video-conferencing may work fine, a lot depends on the exact application, resolution, end-point location, etc. I might go with a 50/10 fiber line, at a minimum. This might run 700 - 1,000 baht/month. There are quite few promotions and bundles (mobile, wifi -for phone, streaming video, internet) available now. The ISP will provide the modem/router, and installation, usually for free. The contract is for 1 year, and you can modify upwards, but not downwards.

[shady86]

You may consider ais unlimited 4g at 1000b per month. It's on par with lower speed fiber/adsl and you can use it every where with mobile router.

[maxpower]

Samut Prakan broadband ..

I live very near to that province and I have TOT fiber to the condo. Other providers are not allowed period.

So the answer to you question is yes but finding a well managed condo service like I have might end up with some worn out shoes.

 

[americann00b]

3 hours ago, maxpower said:

Samut Prakan broadband ..

I live very near to that province and I have TOT fiber to the condo. Other providers are not allowed period.

So the answer to you question is yes but finding a well managed condo service like I have might end up with some worn out shoes.

 

Hi! I've spent SO MUCH TIME looking at different houses and condos, so I'm not afraid of a bit of legwork. How can you tell what is well-managed, though? If I knew the questions to ask and who to ask them to, I'd be happy to contact a million condos. I'm just worried that I won't get a straight answer (and I don't speak Thai).

[maxpower]

44 minutes ago, americann00b said:

Hi! I've spent SO MUCH TIME looking at different houses and condos, so I'm not afraid of a bit of legwork. How can you tell what is well-managed, though? If I knew the questions to ask and who to ask them to, I'd be happy to contact a million condos. I'm just worried that I won't get a straight answer (and I don't speak Thai).

Even after working here for years I would not go condo hunting without a trusted friend to translate and decode the Thai logic. You really must get independent help with translation even if it costs a few baht. This will also allow you to knock a few doors and ask about internet speeds.

[americann00b]

Thank you for your advice! I appreciate it :)

[tonray]

19 hours ago, muratremix said:

Why not AIS Unlimited 4G package? 4mbps down, 4mbps upload for 450 thb + VAT?

You can use it in your condo aswell.

 

before you move to your new home, learn what options you have in there. It is different everywhere. Some places have 3 or more ISP option, some only has ONE.

I use this...sometimes the upload is less than 4 but above 1mbps

[ICECOOL]

Have you contacted CAT? They have business fibre connections that allow you to setup gateway configuration. Within your budget. 

[mtls2005]

 If I knew the questions to ask and who to ask them to

 

 

ask them what they use for broadband internet

 

ask people who live there, or from whom you'd rent

 

 

How are you organizing your search?

 

 

 

Personally, for me, internet access would be the first thing to check off, after that maybe location, budget. That said most high-rise condos and housing developments have broadband internet.

 

Gazillions of units are for rent by the Thai owners.

 

You can use a forum like  Prakard.com (use Google translate) to drill down into specific developments (forum is organized by neighborhoods), even find rentals and ask questions.

 

[muratremix]

6 hours ago, tonray said:

I use this...sometimes the upload is less than 4 but above 1mbps

I just made a test for you.

Upload is 4mbps.

 

[tonray]

1 minute ago, muratremix said:

I just made a test for you.

Upload is 4mbps.

 

Depends on where you are boss. 

[muratremix]

23 minutes ago, tonray said:

Depends on where you are boss. 

I'm in Bangkok. I did this test in Pattaya and Buriram too, got same results before.

If you're in highly crowded area with low signal strength, you may get lower speed. There are no guarantees in speed anyway.

[Grumpy Duck]

I live in a mansion at Ladprao Soi 48 in Samsennook at the north end of Huaikwang the complex has an exclusive contract with True. I understand it is connected to fiber. The house wifi is too slow to even measure due to an ancient server and about 150 people using one or two connections. I have my own TRUE cable for ฿853 a month I get unlimited access 2 wifi and  up to 6 LAN connections on my router. I have a android TV connection a desktop and laptop on LAN. 2 smartphones on wifi and here are my speedtest results from this morning: 

iPhone, wifi,

ping 7ms, down 82.77mbps, up 35.74 mbps

laptop no VPN:

ping 6ms, down 82.13mbps, up 35.67mbps

Laptop with VPN NY

ping 538ms, down 14.80mbps, up 5.51

http://www.speedtest.net/my-result/65311