3G’s Here, Why The Rush
You got a shiny new iPhone or any other really smart phone and are pissed off, and rightfully so. The phone allows 3G or 3rd Generation mobile telecommunication for superfast data transfer on the 2100 MHz bandwidth. But as we all know there’s delay upon delay due to technicalities if you know what I mean – showing the whole nation that greed in powerful circles is stronger than any belief in progress, sense of duty, loyalty or moral value for that.
But wait, why bother! We have 3G already! Hey, I’m using it. After being a stubbornly loyal AIS customer since the mid-90s last week me bought my first TrueMove post-paid number. TrueMove’s a newcomer in comparison – and they offer Hi-Speed Mobile Internet. Including 3G at selected locations, such as in Bangkok’s central business district, Hua Hin, Cha Am and Phuket. Offering speeds of a whopping 4 Mbps. That’s what I got tethering the iPhone.
But still, this is a “2G 3G” so to say, or a 2.5G to be exact – clear? TrueMove is currently operating a 3G service on the 850 MHz frequency on a non-commercial trial basis waiting for approval to launch the service on a commercial basis. An auction will also be held by the government in the near future of 3G licenses on the 2.1 GHz frequency … Meaning, during the trial phase you’re charged 2G, EDGE and GPRS rates. I can live with that. This speed at this price. And now AIS jumps on the bandwagon:
Tired of waiting for a proper 3G license AIS launches it’s “2G 3G” services on February 1st along with TOT‘s 3G services through a data roaming agreement. Using the 900 MHz frequency AIS subscribers have access to 3G in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chonburi and Hua Hin. AIS plans to expand its 3G services on 900 MHz into another 15 provinces this year. AIS’ price plans are not yet available.
So let’s take a wild guess:
Will Thailand skip the 2.1 GHz 3G?
My money’s on a … yes.
The industry’s patience with the regulators runs thin and if the old infrastructure can do, why spend billions on a whole new hardware when countries are moving closer to 4G adoption already, the next generation of mobile telecommunication and computing.
Still, proper 3G on the 2.1 GHz frequency offers a whole new dimension of speed and also playing field regarding rural development, rural communication and the general advancement and empowerment of the rural masses.
Those are obviously no priorities of our rulers. Live sufficiently, don’t ask for too much. If you’re living at the right place though, enjoy the benefits of Thailand’s, well, pseudo-3G.
+++ By the way, if you bought your iPhone 3G from TrueMove* and not a gray import, then you’re allowed to subscribe to the 599 baht monthly package including unlimited GPRS/3G/Wi-Fi and 300 voice minutes. That’s dirt-cheap compared to regular 3G services overseas. A deal that’s even harder to beat by AIS’ monthly unlimited GPRS package for 999 baht … Am not a DTAC guy, maybe they’re an alternative.
* TrueMove 3G-compatible phones currently available in Thailand are: Nokia’s 3120 Classic, 6120 Classic, 6267, 6500 Classic, 6500 slide, 6555, 6600 Slide, 6600 Fold, 5610 Xpress Music, 7900 Prism, E51; Sony Ericsson’s K850i, W760i, C510, W508, W705, W995, C903, T707; Apple’s iPhone 3G & 3GS; BlackBerry’s iBold 9000; HP’s HP iPAQ 912.
Wow … what a coincidence … Abhisit’s people drag their feet on the 3G auction and True Corporation which Abhisit’s dad is a director of and which is owned by CP, one of the Democrat Party’s largest backers gains an advantage with a “kind of sort” of 3G …
And I just this moment realized … because you have now recommended the purchase of a True Corp. product which will benefit the Abhisit family while their son is PM, you also will have to immediately surrender all of your assets!
Ouch!
You better get on the next flight out …
Well I’d be interest in a comparison how True benefits from a delayed 3G and AIS loses out. Anyone?
Yes, True plays the “foreigner” card – AIS could have rolled out 2.5G faster.
And AIS … supporting Singapore’s one-party regime?
BangkokDan
I got the same package a few months ago. 3GS with 599 baht per month which includes unlimited data transfer over Wi-Fi, EDGE and 3G. Interestingly, True “forgot” to cancel my 250 baht per month Wi-Fi package which I had previously for my iPod touch/laptop. After complaining, they said the new package (599 per month) does not include laptop Wi-Fi access. An oxymoron if ever I heard one, since you can tether the iPhone to your laptop.
As far as 3G is concerned I get the signal pretty much everywhere in Bangkok (and Hua Hin last weekend), but I certainly wouldn’t call it fast. It’s the same as the standard Wi-Fi signal – very slow. In fact, a month ago I was sitting in Starbucks in the new Central store complex in Pattaya. It was showing 3G and Wi-Fi but I couldn’t access the internet at all.
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I wouldn’t get all hung up about not having 3G at 2100 MHz.
3G at 900 MHz and 850 MHz is just as fast, and has much better signal propagation characteristics (that is, better coverage, especially in fringe areas and in-building) than 3G at 2100 MHz.
Telstra here in Australia have 3G at 850MHz (they call it NextG). It currently offers peak download speeds of 21 Mbps, and will be upgraded shortly to 42 Mbps. The service is so good that they get away with charging double what the competition charge.
The only problem is handset availability. There are plenty of handsets available running 3G at 850MHz (thanks to AT&T in the U.S.) but not so many at 900MHz (up until recently only Australia, NZ, Finland and Thailand ran commercial services). Still, choose the right handset and you get a great service.
I sit here with a TOT line struggling to get a consistent 1 Mbps, having migrated from True when I could only get the same as a 9600 Bps modem got me in 1989.
And I am jealous.
Roll on Feb 1. I don’t mind paying a premium on AIS. It’s better Thailand coverage and you are not funding the Democrats! The True tethering thing is interesting. I don’t have it on my unlocked 3GS bought in Sydney.
(BD: The tethering is the reason why True tempts me. Tethering only works on “official”, Apple-designated carriers. Well you can always jailbreak your iPhone, but I prefer smooth firmware upgrades. There are some scripts available on the net to activate tethering with an AIS or DTAC SIM card in the phone. Tried one script, didn’t work.)