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Bill,

 

It can be a bit of a nightmare and coverage is somewhat limited out in the sticks.

 

This thread on Flyertalk may answer a few of your specific questions:

 

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/archive/ind...p/t-619911.html

 

Regards,

 

Tom

Great link. Thanks for posting. Im going to try GPRS too. That way your not limited to a hotel or condo with an internet connection. Any idea what nokia phones have the neccessary spec for it?

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I set up a cell phone connection for 2 of my friends, the SIM card was from True Thailand. You need a suitable phone they both used a Nokia (3300 Classic, I think) which connects to a USB port 'cos the SIM card does not come with a PCM card. Unlimited access was available at a reasonable cost. BUT they both had to get a Thai citizen to buy the card.

 

Lastly the software on the CD that was provided by the phone vendor did not work & I had to download it from the Nokia Hong Kong website after which installation & setup was a breeze.

 

Speed seems about the same as a dial up connection in town but 1 friend lives out past Bang Lamung and it was much slower at his house.

 

They are both on the waiting list for landline connections but at least they have some connection while they are waiting.

 

stevoh.

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Keep the info coming guys

what i am looking for is info on a "aircard" that you put into a laptop

it has a sim card, hooks up with dtac, ais etc

it is a special sim, and different pricing

 

here is another link

 

http://www.edgethailand.com/

 

a question would be:

any one using one?

how is the speed?

 

i am looking for service in pattaya or bkk

NOT in the sticks

yeah the hotels have internet, but it is allways on and off

depending on time of day etc

 

i need a relable connection to WORK when in country

i need to be able to connect to my server in the USofA

load multiple web pages and send data

 

 

so... first hand info?

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I had an aircard for my laptop when they first came out. The biggest problem with them is that as they plug into your computer they often are not well positioned to get a good signal. These days I wouldn't even consider buying one.

 

The easiest solution is to have a cell phone and a laptop equipped with bluetooth. That way the connection is easily made and the phone can be positioned to get a good signal. If you can't use bluetooth most newer phones allow a usb connection as well.

 

On the whole I find GPRS to be painfully slow and it would be my last choice of connection. On the road though you can't beat it for ease and convenience. I've used mine all over the world and so far have never failed to get a working connection even in some third world places like Cambodia, the Philippines and my wife's village in Isaan.

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gents it looks like i am going to take one for the team

 

my carrier in th USofA, Cingular will give me a Sierra Air card

 

unlocked or not, will bring to LOS

will use EdgeThailand to set it up

 

will post reports here

 

i understand the connection will be slow

 

howeve, at Midnite thailand/10 am in my USofA office

i wake up ( yes ladies, i am asleep at that hour....usually)

wake up to find no connection in my room

get dressed

go down stairs

try to get the connection to work

etc

 

also, if i am on the road, or hotel bouncing to avoid women

(last trip, 11 nites in country, 5 check ins 5 check outs, 3 cities)

might make it a little more conveintent

 

also as just a back up

 

as for the signal strenght, the air cards have a antenna port

will get the external antenna also

 

any other info or First hand knowledge, please post there

 

best

 

bw

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I agree with pattaya pete!

 

Scrap the aircard idea and go out and buy a second hand sony k750. It comes with all the software you need for an automatic connection. (and has the usb cable with it).

 

Simply go into tuk com and get a net sim (1 2 call) Put into phone and run the sony net connection icon (letting it automatically detect settings,numbers etc......sorted

 

When your not using the net you can just unplug and use as regular phone.

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I agree with pattaya pete!

 

Scrap the aircard idea and go out and buy a second hand sony k750. It comes with all the software you need for an automatic connection. (and has the usb cable with it).

 

Simply go into tuk com and get a net sim (1 2 call) Put into phone and run the sony net connection icon (letting it automatically detect settings,numbers etc......sorted

 

When your not using the net you can just unplug and use as regular phone.

Just read the reviews on amazon. Sounds like a good phone. Thanks for posting.

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i need a relable connection to WORK when in country

i need to be able to connect to my server in the USofA

load multiple web pages and send data

 

You will not work continously in Thailand with an air card. Flat statement.

 

The only possible way this would ever work is in an area that has excellent Internet connections of other types such as modem and/or wireless ADSL. And if you have that, then you wouldn't use the air card which STILL would be a nightmare and probably undependable even in areas where Internet service is constant and dependable.

 

If you are going to use anything involving the mobile phone to stay reliably connected to the Internet -- you aren't. Not in up-country Thailand, you're not. Doing the work you describe is ONLY reliable in Thailand with a regular, bog-standard, fixed-line telephone with either dial-up or DSL -- or better (cable, say).

 

If you are out there in non-telephone land, you had best look into satellite, first and foremost iPSTAR from the link below. I can assure you that you will do more than enough bitxhing about THAT link to make up for what you miss from the air-card or any similar chewing-gum-and-baling-wire lashup involving a cellphone line.

 

Try this for a possible work-quality Internet connection in areas you can't even get dial-up:

http://www.csloxinfo.com/ipstar4_non_e.asp

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I guess using a phone is reliable enough to read emails etc, but is it ok to play poker online or does it disconnect all the time? Its a pisser if youve waited a while for a good hand and it disconnects in the middle of it.

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