| I will compare Internet speed tests for three | | | | States and in both locations, I came away very |
| different Internet broadband connections I've had | | | | impressed...much more of a true competitor to |
| the opportunity to use in Thailand. If you are | | | | DSL than 3G wireless. |
| going to be in Thailand, hopefully this comparison | | | | That being said, if you travel frequently, the AIS |
| will help you to make a decision on which Internet | | | | Edge is not a bad option...as long as you do not |
| broadband provider to choose. Of the three | | | | require much bandwidth. AIS claims a maximum |
| services tested, one utilizes a mobile wireless | | | | download speed of 512 Kbps, in my tests I |
| system that uses GSM Edge to connect to the | | | | received 115 Kbps download and 63 Kbps upload |
| Internet. The other two are standard ADSL | | | | speeds. Not very impressive but it does the job |
| services from competing companies in Thailand. All | | | | when just browsing the Internet. I even was able |
| of the tests were performed using the same | | | | to do a Skype video call using this card although |
| laptop, at approximately the same time of day. | | | | the video quality was pretty bad. Audio calls |
| Tests were performed withing 5 KM of each | | | | worked fine. |
| other in Chiang Rai Thailand. | | | | The second speed test I attempted is a DSL |
| The first broadband type I tested was the AIS | | | | connection from TOT in Thailand. Most people |
| wireless Edge solution. I purchased a USB Edge | | | | that have DSL opt for the lowest offering which |
| card from 7-11 convenience store which are | | | | is 4000 Kbps download and 512 Kbps upload. |
| everywhere Thailand. The USB card cost me | | | | Currently, the monthly cost for this service is 590 |
| 1200 Baht (around $37 USD). The price included | | | | Baht ($18 USD) a month which includes a DSL |
| 20 hours of wireless time. | | | | modem/router The speed test showed a much |
| You can purchase additional hours to the card. | | | | lower download number receiving approximately |
| Adding 20 hours of time is 150 Baht (around | | | | 1779Kbps down and 371Kbps up. |
| $4.50 USD) The USB card itself houses a SIM | | | | Lastly, I tested a second popular DSL carrier in |
| card just like the SIM card that goes into your | | | | Thailand called 3BB. The ADSL tested is identical |
| phone. In fact, you can swap AIS SIM cards | | | | to the TOT offerings being 4000 Kbps download |
| between your phone and USB card if you want. | | | | and 512 Kbps upload speeds. The monthly price |
| The USB card has software built-in and I | | | | for the service with an included DSL modem |
| successfully Installed it on Windows XP and | | | | router is also the same as TOT at 590 Baht per |
| Windows 7 laptops. I was not able to get the | | | | month. Unlike the TOT service test, the 3BB |
| card to work with Mac OS X. The software | | | | download speeds were spot on. In terms of |
| works just like any other dial-up/3G/4G modem | | | | upload speeds, 3BB was a little bit lower than the |
| where you click a button to connect and | | | | TOT ADSL connection that was tested. The 3BB |
| disconnect from the Internet. | | | | speed test found speeds of 4060 Kbps down and |
| Why test Edge and not 3G? Well, Thailand is | | | | 310 Kbps up. |
| currently caught up in legal problems with wireless | | | | Please keep in mind that this is just one persons |
| carriers about allocating 3G frequencies so the | | | | test. Your results might vary depending on |
| current 3G offerings are very limited. Edge is the | | | | location and time of day. Based on these tests, if |
| best option for nationwide coverage unfortunately. | | | | I were to choose a DSL provider, I would go with |
| In fact, Thailand might be better off leapfrogging | | | | 3BB for the far superior download test. If I really |
| 3G and going straight to a 4G technology such as | | | | relied on frequent uploads, I would choose the |
| WiMAX or LTE. I wrote an article for Network | | | | TOT DSL connection. Lastly, if I needed a mobile |
| World magazine in 2009 regarding a Cisco pilot | | | | Internet solution, I would have to go with AIS's |
| program testing WiMAX at a University in | | | | Edge...although 3BB's upload speeds were fairly |
| Northern Thailand. I've had the opportunity to see | | | | close and seem to burst at higher speeds. |
| 4G in action both in Thailand and In the United | | | | |