|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Finding a low cost and reliable
internet connection in Southern Thailand can be a difficult
task. Here we attempt to explain all of your options and
also provide you with our honest opinion of each service.
M2K Wireless can provide installation services and help
locals with getting connected. Please contact us if you
require any assistance.
|
|
|
Considering all alternatives,
ADSL is probably your best option for Internet connectivity.
To get ADSL you need a phone line and apply for
service at telephone Operator office.
Now lets go over the different options you have
when choose a service. The first thing you will
come across is speed which is defined by a download
and an upload speed. Regular Internet users generally
only need to be concerned with the download speed.
Before jumping to conclusions with the download
speed you should investigate the user ratio - which
some ISPs do not even tell you upfront that the
bandwidth advertised with the service is shared!
The higher the user ratio, the less of that bandwidth
you have. A 256K line shared with 5 people will
probably have better service than a 1024K or 2048K
line shared with 50 people! Next we move on to price.
Price is important, but it should be the LAST thing
you consider! There is a reason why the new 1024
and 2048 services are so cheap! The user ratios
are high, and the service is not very reliable.
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
Plan |
Down/Up Speed |
User Ratio |
Monthly Cost |
|
Super |
256/128 |
?:? |
ß500 |
|
Silver |
512/256 |
?:? |
ß700 |
|
Gold |
1024/256 |
?:? |
ß1,000 |
| |
| |
|
|
|
 |
|
Plan |
Down/Up Speed |
User Ratio |
Monthly Cost |
|
|
128/64 |
1:10 |
ß? |
|
256/128 |
|
ß1,659 |
|
512/256 |
|
ß2,622 |
|
128/64 |
1:5 |
ß? |
|
JI-NET |
256/128 |
|
ß3,500 |
|
|
512/256 |
|
ß6,000 |
|
128/128 |
1:2 |
ß5,350 |
|
256/256 |
|
ß9,523 |
|
512/512 |
|
ß17,013 |
| |
|
|
128/64 |
1:5 |
ß2,675 |
|
256/128 |
|
ß4,815 |
|
KSC |
512/256 |
|
ß8,025 |
|
|
128/128 |
1:2 |
ß9,523 |
|
256/256 |
|
ß17,013 |
|
512/512 |
|
ß28,783 |
| |
|
|
128/64 |
1:5 |
ß5,350 |
|
Loxinfo |
256/128 |
|
ß9,630 |
|
|
256/128 |
1:50 |
ß1,605 |
| |
|
CAT |
2048/? |
1:50 |
ß1,000 |
| |
|
|
Satellite, although a lot more expensive
than ADSL, is probably the next best alternative for people
who do not have phone lines. IPStar can be good for downloading,
but relaying the data from your dish, to the satellite,
and back down again does cause a noticable lag when browsing
the web. Rain can sometimes affect your connection and may
sometimes cut out connectivity altogether. Recently people
have been complaining about slowness during peak times in
the late afternoon and again in the late evening. While
there are a few negative aspects of the service, if you're
tired of dial-up, IPStar is probably the next best alternative
for those who do not have phone lines. When looking at the
information in below remember to look at the speed and ratio
first! We will say it a again - there is a reason why some
faster lines are cheaper - it's because of the hidden user
ratio they don't tell you about that makes you wonder why
the service is slow and intermittent!
|
 |
|
IPStar - Installation fee of 15,000 Baht |
| Plan |
Down/Up Speed |
User Ratio |
Data per Month |
Monthly Cost |
Extra Data |
| |
256/128 |
? |
750 MB |
3,000 |
2.5 Baht Per MB |
| |
|
1,536 MB |
4,500 |
|
| |
|
3,072 MB |
7,000 |
|
| Star Express |
|
|
7,168 MB |
12,500 |
|
| (Home & SOHO) |
|
|
15,360 MB |
22,000 |
|
| |
512/128 |
? |
1.5 GB |
5,000 |
|
| |
|
3.0 GB |
8,000 |
|
| |
|
6.0 GB |
15,000 |
|
| Star Surf Light |
256/64 |
? |
Unlimited |
9,500 |
|
| Star Link(Corporate) |
64/32 |
1:1 |
Unlimited |
20,000 |
|
| 128/64 |
1:1 |
|
35,000 |
|
| 256/128 |
1:1 |
|
60,000 |
|
|
|
GPRS:
GPRS uses your cell phone or GPRS modem to connect to the Internet.
The benefit here is that you have an internet connection anywhere
your mobile provider has coverage. On the negative side, speeds
are generally under 30Kbps (slower than dial-up) and surfing
the web can sometimes become frustrating. Both DTAC and AIS
provide a GPRS service. Prices range from 1000-1200B per month
for unlimited access. Please call your provider from your mobile
phone for more information.
For those of you who can not get a phone
and don't feel like paying for a satellite connection on your
own WiFi may be the solution for you. WiFi will allow you to
share an ADSL or satellite internet connection with nearby neighbors.
Wireless range varies with each environment but 25-50 meters,
or 3-4 walls can be used as a guideline. Distances of 1-2 kilometers
can be achieved with special antennas. Please contact us for
a site survey if you are interested in sharing an Internet connection
with your neighbors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
