ibap meeting november 12, 2010 [email protected]
TRANSCRIPT
Q: What’s up with 3G?Thai courts blocked the 3G auction in OctoberBut we now have 3G throughout Bangkok, Chiang MaiWe even have real 3G on the west coast of PhuketHow is that possible? Er, um, TIT… (no, not TOT)
Remember AM and FM radio?
3G can use different spectrumsThe older spectrum – roughly analogous to AM
Called “850 MHz”Controlled by CAT and TOT
The newer spectrum –roughly analogous to FMCalled “2.1 GHz”Not controlled by anybody - the government can sell itUsed by most countries for 3G phonesThe blocked auction was for this second spectrumCAT filed the lawsuit that stopped the auction
3G – Plan BCompanies wanting to sell 3G must buy from TOT or CATTrue and DTAC need 3G to support the iPhone 3G (and 4G)No auction means they’re stuckTrue (controlled by CP Group) uses CATDTAC (49% Norwegian owned) also uses CATOthers (AIS/1-2-Call, iFox) use TOTCAT has a few 3G towers in western PhuketIf TOT has 3G towers in Phuket, I didn’t find them
That’s why iFox doesn’t work
What is 3G? 4G?Mostly it’s marketing hype – sizzle, not steakAnybody can call anything 3G
Look for the technology called HSPA – that’s real 3GLawsuits are flying in the US right now over “4G”
Sprint says it has 4GLast week, T-Mobile started advertising 4GThe ITU says both of them are full of hype
What really matters is the speed, not the “G” string
The fastest wireless InternetIf you’re running between Nai Harn and the Airport
Go to True and get an unlimited 3G phone numberIt’ll cost B 800/month – the dongle is about B 2,000Speeds run from 2 Mbps in Patong to 5 Mbps in LagunaBut it could change tomorrow
CAT’s CDMA EV-DO card is still a good choiceIt’ll work in most of Thailand, except BKK and nearbyCost is about the same as True’s 3GRuns from 0.5 Mbps to 2 Mbps, depending on locationTo share a connection, get a MiFi box
The fastest wired InternetInternet speeds have changed wildly – to the better
But reliability is getting worseSpeeds vary widely, depending on locationRight now, True’s 10 Mbps ADSL is best for new service
But many places can’t get linesIn some locations, 3BB and TOT work well, too
But in other locations, they’re horribleTOT’s Fiber Optic is getting faster
But it costs five times as much as TrueCAT has Fiber Optic, but speeds are a joke
What you need to knowEvery Internet Service Provider has good and bad linesSurprisingly, complaining helps sometimesWatch speed.woody.info to see what’s happening near youIf you want a wired line, get True 6 Mbps or 10 Mbps
Can’t get it? Try 3BB 6 Mbps or 10 Mbps If a clerk tells you that a 6 Mbps line won’t work internationally, they’re full of, uh, hot air
If you want wireless, much depends on where you liveTrue 3G works well in some parts of western PhuketCAT EV-DO works reasonably well all over Phuket
What’ll happen nextThailand may never get a 3G (2.1 GHz HSPA) auction
There are many vested interests oinking loudlyThat’s not necessarily bad – LTE technology is faster
Fiber optic will come down in priceHeaven only knows if international speeds will stay highTOT and CAT emphasize domestic, not international, speedNew services likely – I look forward to IPTV
If you’re confused about all the “3G” talk, don’t worryMost newspaper reporters in BKK don’t understand either
What you can doKeep up on the technology
Phuket is a hotspot for computer people – really Watch for seminars – Facebook, for example, went well
Get the factsWhining doesn’t helpBut numbers can be persuasive, especially in baht
Post your speeds at speed.woody.info, and use the data!Unique in all of Asia
Ask questions –even dumb ones– at the Computer ClinicsSunday mornings, 10:00, various locations
FREE Computer Clinic sessions every SundayCheck www.PhuketGazette.com Events Calendar