Thailand - Temporary Cell Phone

I am going to Thailand for 20 days in August and think a cell phone for the trip might be a decent idea if price and options are affordable. What does a prepaid cell phone in Thailand run, are they reliable, and is the short trip worth having one for, is it possible to buy a compatible one in the US and bring to Thailand?

you can buy a cheap phone for $35 or so

I think its a must to have one , you need to call hotel etc,

You can buy a used quad band phone on ebay already unlocked for the same $35 or less and then just buy a sim card when you land ,

Just make sure the charger is 110v-220v which most of them are , the wall plug in Thailand is the same as in the USA.

You can also have someone buy you a sim card in Thailand , activate it and send it to you in the USA so you know what the number is ,

What is your USA cell phone company ?

RB

You can buy a cheap new mobile phone for 600 - 1000THB. For a phone that uses internet too the prices are more, perhaps 2500THB and up.

The SIM card will be virtually free, meaning whatever you pay for it will include about the same value for calling out.

1THB per minute is about standard. Incoming calls are free. Internet prices at about 1THB per minute or you can buy packages such as 20 hours for 100THB+tax & 100 hours for 300THB++

Hope that helps.

I have a Verizon Iphone 4s currently, should I look to get a temporary plan for Thailand as an option?

Does Verizon use GSM? And, is it carrier unlocked?

Might be cheaper just to use Sean's suggestion.

I was thinking more of keeping the phone on Verizon, but moving it to an international plan, but I really like Sean's plan.

Recently TrueMove has been offering free SIMs in the baggage area of CNX and IIRC BKK as well.

I have a Verizon Iphone 4s currently, should I look to get a temporary plan for Thailand as an option?

If it uses GSM and is unlocked just get a SIM at a TRUE or AIS office, have them put it on an unlimited one month iPhone plan and you are good to go.

Verizon is CDMA, & Thailand is both CDMA & GSM. Even with an int'l plan Verizon is still pretty expensive in Thailand. You might want to consider MagicJack (magicjack.com) - I've used it all over the world & calls back to the US are free.

I was thinking more of keeping the phone on Verizon, but moving it to an international plan, but I really like Sean's plan.

Listen to Sean, sound advice.

Go to MBK, 3rd floor [?], as soon as you reach it via escalator, be prepared for mobile shock! Entire floor filled with shops selling phones, accessories, sim cards.

If you're on a budget, get a cheap dual band GSM phone [works only in Asia], a 1-2Call sim card for B100, top off with B300 and you're all set. A good shop will do the entire thing for you in less than 10 minutes.

For a little more, you can get a quad band GSM phone, which will work when you return stateside. Using Verizon international plan is extremely expensive. If you have skype, do the following:

1. Forward your Vz phone calls to your skype number.
2. Activate call forwarding on your skype, add your local Thai number

Works seamlessly and much more cost effective.

Verizon is CDMA, & Thailand is both CDMA & GSM. Even with an int'l plan Verizon is still pretty expensive in Thailand. You might want to consider MagicJack (magicjack.com) - I've used it all over the world & calls back to the US are free.

In this case the OP should go to True and not AIS.

Listen to Sean, sound advice.

Go to MBK, 3rd floor [?], as soon as you reach it via escalator, be prepared for mobile shock! Entire floor filled with shops selling phones, accessories, sim cards.

If you're on a budget, get a cheap dual band GSM phone [works only in Asia], a 1-2Call sim card for B100, top off with B300 and you're all set. A good shop will do the entire thing for you in less than 10 minutes.

For a little more, you can get a quad band GSM phone, which will work when you return stateside. Using Verizon international plan is extremely expensive. If you have skype, do the following:

1. Forward your Vz phone calls to your skype number.
2. Activate call forwarding on your skype, add your local Thai number

Works seamlessly and much more cost effective.

^^ Winner, I like it, I'll do the budget one, just need it to call for reservations, changing plans, contact locals I meet, etc. Not planning on using it for long conversation, will wait till I get to the hotel to skype. Thank you very much for the information, my flight gets in at 5 AM, will the shops be open that early?

the unlocked GSM phone you buy in Bangkok can also be used later in Europe, Australia, NZ, and most of the rest of Asia etc ,

I now use an older Motorola flip phone that is quad band that Tmobile gave me the unlock code for,

RB

Listen to Sean, sound advice.

Go to MBK, 3rd floor [?], as soon as you reach it via escalator, be prepared for mobile shock! Entire floor filled with shops selling phones, accessories, sim cards.

If you're on a budget, get a cheap dual band GSM phone [works only in Asia], a 1-2Call sim card for B100, top off with B300 and you're all set. A good shop will do the entire thing for you in less than 10 minutes.

For a little more, you can get a quad band GSM phone, which will work when you return stateside. Using Verizon international plan is extremely expensive. If you have skype, do the following:

1. Forward your Vz phone calls to your skype number.
2. Activate call forwarding on your skype, add your local Thai number

Works seamlessly and much more cost effective.

There is an incredible selection of phones in MBK. Don't be surprised if your 100THB phone stops working in a week. YMMV.

MBK opens at 10am. If you have an old unlocked phone bring it with you. I don't know about the difference between Canadian and American providers or frequencies, but I have used 4 different phones from Canada that all worked in Thailand. A Nokia that I used would not work with AIS but worked fine with dtac.

I own a Verizon iPhone 4s, which I got Verizon to unlock, free of charge, and then when I get to Bangkok, I walk over to one of the cell providers, right at the airport, True being my primary choice, get a data plan+voice for under $1000 bhat, good for 3 gigs of data or so.. and some voice minutes included, and wifi hotspot access as well. Best of all worlds, and you can use your phone as a hotspot in a pinch if needed. Also, this allows your corporate email to flush down as normal, without any hassle, or costs associated with trying to run a Verizon Phone in Bangkok which could run you 1000's of dollars if not careful. Cheers.

What penlin said ...

The iphone 4s is both cdma and gsm (3g), if you buy it from or activate on Verizon or Sprint in the USA (the 2 cdma carriers here.)

If you're a Verizon customer for a few months, you can ask them to unlock the gsm side of it, and get a SIM at the airport when you arrive at the TRU kiosk. They even put it in the phone for you.

penlin, does it try to roam on the cdma side there also? How did that work for you?

-David

Otherwise AT&T uses GSM. I have used AT&T phones in Thailand after doing my research to make sure the specific model works on the frequencies used in Thailand. Of course you have to unlock the AT&T phone to work with other service provider SIM cards.

I have an AT&T Go Phone which cost $10 brand new from AT&T and I also have an older BlackBerry. Now-a-days we are spoiled, so I need my QWERTY. If I was traveling to Asia/Europe more often, then I would just buy a proper HTC Android phone.


Just need a phone for a couple weeks and then never use it again? Just go buy a used Nokia at MBK for 1200 baht. They can sell you a SIM card and add credit as well.

Slightly off topic but when I was there last month, I used 1-2-Call. I noticed that I could keep making calls even after my balance went negative. I don't know if I could receive calls because no one ever called me. I just thought it was strange that my balance went negative and I could still use my phone.

Just need a phone for a couple weeks and then never use it again? Just go buy a used Nokia at MBK for 12k baht. They can sell you a SIM card and add credit as well.

12K THB? I'm hoping you mis-typed this because you can get a new phone for 600 THB, less if you buy a used, frankenphone at MBK.

No, it strictly stays on the 3G band, and it's quite usable even for surfing graphic rich websites.

penlin, does it try to roam on the cdma side there also? How did that work for you?
-David

David

I have a Vz iPhone 4s which they unlocked for me. I also have a post paid AIS account [includes data] which my Bkk offices pay and keeps current. When I landed in Bkk, as we were taxing on the tarmac, inserted the AIS card and it went over immediately to 3G. I merely turned off roaming to make sure no surprises when I returned stateside.

Next morning my wife and I went to MBK [at 10 am sharp], and got her a prepaid 1-2Call sim card [no data plan but there are 1-2Call plans with data available for additional cost] for her unlocked/jb 3gs iPhone [see my earlier post to OP].

Skype forwarding for both iPhone accounts were set up already, and when we got back to hotel, updated her call forward with the new prepaid #.

Otherwise AT&T uses GSM. I have used AT&T phones in Thailand after doing my research to make sure the specific model works on the frequencies used in Thailand. Of course you have to unlock the AT&T phone to work with other service provider SIM cards.

I have an AT&T Go Phone which cost $10 brand new from AT&T and I also have an older BlackBerry. Now-a-days we are spoiled, so I need my QWERTY. If I was traveling to Asia/Europe more often, then I would just buy a proper HTC Android phone.


Just need a phone for a couple weeks and then never use it again? Just go buy a used Nokia at MBK for 12k baht. They can sell you a SIM card and add credit as well.

Heck you can get a new one for 2500 even. It'll even have a flashlight.

I am going to Thailand for 20 days in August and think a cell phone for the trip might be a decent idea if price and options are affordable. What does a prepaid cell phone in Thailand run, are they reliable, and is the short trip worth having one for, is it possible to buy a compatible one in the US and bring to Thailand?

We don't have prepaid phones here. As many have said, all phones are purchased unlocked, unsubsidized. About 93% of the phones are using pre-paid SIMs. So everyone here buys a phone and most get a pre-paid SIM.

Any un-locked, GSM900/1800-capable handset will work here. You can buy a SIM anywhere for 49 baht, activate it, add value (by scratch card), re-select a calling plan and even layer on a data plan. Most calling plans are 1 - 2 baht/min; 1 - 2 baht per SMS, calls to the U.S. are 9 baht/min but there are some low-cost options, and 3 baht/min is possible. (all of these prices are exclusive of 7% VAT)

You can buy a new entry level phone here for 900 baht (Nokia 101) or buy one in the U.S. and bring it here.

Now that I think about it a Nokia 101, with a SIM, and a 100 baht top-up would be a burner, for 1,050 baht.


Slightly off topic but when I was there last month, I used 1-2-Call. I noticed that I could keep making calls even after my balance went negative. I don't know if I could receive calls because no one ever called me. I just thought it was strange that my balance went negative and I could still use my phone.

FYI, we do not pay for incoming calls here (people here are shocked when I tell them we pay for both incoming and outgoing calls in the U.S.), just originated calls, same for SMS. Hence you can continue to receive calls and texts with a zero balance, but not presumably post-expiration date.

I have never seen nor heard about a negative balance, typically you start to get warning SMSes from the service provider when your balance approaches zero. Once at zero you cannot originate calls or texts. Did you actually check your balance/expiry via *121# and receive a reply showing a negative balance? Maybe the billing system takes a few minutes or hours to catch up? Also many SIMs have a promotional calling bonus, in minutes or baht, so this may have bumped your balance?

I have never seen nor heard about a negative balance, typically you start to get warning SMSes from the service provider when your balance approaches zero. Once at zero you cannot originate calls or texts. Did you actually check your balance/expiry via *121# and receive a reply showing a negative balance? Maybe the billing system takes a few minutes or hours to catch up? Also many SIMs have a promotional calling bonus, in minutes or baht, so this may have bumped your balance?

I have had up to a -3 Baht balance on several occasions. I've also had my SIM active for about 5 years.

Generally the negative balance results from an active call which takes the balance below zero. Never have I been allowed to make a call if there wasn't sufficient funds to cover the minimum call connection cost.

My main 1 2 Call (AIS) number will allow me to go to -20THB before I get shut down, and has been that way for about 5 years. Any period when I am below a zero balance and calling out, an irritating message will play before my call is connected telling me that I am running on emergency airtime, and a SMS with basically the same info is sent to me after completing each call. It is a handy feature. I never applied for the service.

IME it's easier to just bring your own phone and purchase a SIM at the airport from the kiosk right before you walk out. The people above have beat this to death, so I will stop writing right now.

IME it's easier to just bring your own phone and purchase a SIM at the airport from the kiosk right before you walk out. The people above have beat this to death, so I will stop writing right now.

Thats easy to say BUT , USA phones from Verizon-Sprint are CDMA and will not work in Thailand , AT+T - Tmobile phones from the USA are GSM and MAY work in Thailand if they are Tri-Quad band and you get them UNlocked before you arrive. The USA bands will NOT work in Thailand.

The same goes if you have a UK "Orange" phone , it has the correct bands but is locked to Orange and needs to be unlocked so you can use it in Thailand ,

The Airport Kiosk can only help you if you have an unlocked / never locked phone with the correct bands that work in Thailand. The Airport Kiosk will not unlock your phone . You need to go to MBK etc to get your phone unlocked if you did not do it before you left home.


RB

and yes I did work in the phone industry years ago.....

Thats easy to say BUT , USA phones from Verizon-Sprint are CDMA and will not work in Thailand , AT+T - Tmobile phones from the USA are GSM and MAY work in Thailand if they are Tri-Quad band and you get them locked before you arrive. The USA bands will NOT work in Thailand.



You might want to alter this slightly. :D

12K THB? I'm hoping you mis-typed this because you can get a new phone for 600 THB, less if you buy a used, frankenphone at MBK.

Sorry, I mean 1200 baht for an old Nokia

Sorry, I mean 1200 baht for an old Nokia

You can get a new, low end, Nokia for 600-800 Baht.

You can get a new, low end, Nokia for 600-800 Baht.

Or an older mid-level for 1200 :)

Anyone have any recommendations for where to get a data-only sim card for iPad 3g usage, and also what service provider? I believe iPad uses micro sim which is not so common. Is it possible to get this at the airport?

Anyone have any recommendations for where to get a data-only sim card for iPad 3g usage, and also what service provider? I believe iPad uses micro sim which is not so common. Is it possible to get this at the airport?

Which iPad model do you have? I assume it is unlocked? Where will you be spending time in Thailand.

I think all iPad mdoels support 850 Mhz 3G so I would recommend a TrueMove H pre-pay iSIM (149 baht) http://www.truemove-h.com/en//isim.aspx which is a uSIM, or a iPhone SIM (99 baht), which is also a uSIM, http://www.truemove-h.com/en/prepay/sim/prepay-sim-iphone.aspx

Then you could add value, and select a data plan: http://www.truemove-h.com/en/prepay/prepay-topping.aspx

TrueMove H currently has the most comprehensive national 3G coverage.

TrueMove have a shop at Suvarnabhumi airport (BKK) on level 2, Arrivals, near doors 5, 6 and 7. I am not 100% certain they sell TrueMove H SIMs. Do not buy a TrueMove SIM.

If they do not have one at the airport they are easy to find in retail phone shops here.

Which iPad model do you have? I assume it is unlocked? Where will you be spending time in Thailand.

I think all iPad mdoels support 850 Mhz 3G so I would recommend a TrueMove H pre-pay iSIM (149 baht) http://www.truemove-h.com/en//isim.aspx which is a uSIM, or a iPhone SIM (99 baht), which is also a uSIM, http://www.truemove-h.com/en/prepay/sim/prepay-sim-iphone.aspx

Then you could add value, and select a data plan: http://www.truemove-h.com/en/prepay/prepay-topping.aspx

TrueMove H currently has the most comprehensive national 3G coverage.


TrueMove have a shop at Suvarnabhumi airport (BKK) on level 2, Arrivals, near doors 5, 6 and 7. I am not 100% certain they sell TrueMove H SIMs. Do not buy a TrueMove SIM.

If they do not have one at the airport they are easy to find in retail phone shops here.


Thanks! It's an iPad 1, and I believe unlocked. Will be in Bangkok/Chiang Mai. I think I might only need it for the hotel as they don't have complimentary wifi.

I think I'll also get a cheap Nokia quad-band phone for talk. Always used my (locked AT&T) phone before but international roaming is way too expensive.

Thanks! It's an iPad 1, and I believe unlocked. Will be in Bangkok/Chiang Mai. I think I might only need it for the hotel as they don't have complimentary wifi.

I think I'll also get a cheap Nokia quad-band phone for talk. Always used my (locked AT&T) phone before but international roaming is way too expensive.

Yes, the iPad1 supports 850 Mhz 3G so you could use TrueMove H or even DTAC/Happy as they now have 3G in Chiang Mai (in addition to Bangkok).

You could use the TrueMove H Smartphone SIM, or DTAC/Happy SIM and swap it between the iPad1 and GSM phone, like a Nokia, or the unlocked AT&T phone. Maybe a uSIM carrier would be something you should have?

You could also ask AT&T for an unlock code, which I believe they have to provide to you? Does your AT&T phone have a SIM? What is the make/model?

3G is miles better here than any free, open or even paid WiFi, IME.

With more details; length of stay, usage, etc. I could make a more specific recommendation.

You could also ask AT&T for an unlock code, which I believe they have to provide to you? Does your AT&T phone have a SIM? What is the make/model?


It's an iPhone 4s, which i believe AT&T won't unlock since it is still under contract. I don't want to jailbreak either.

I'll look into those recommendations. I just need it to be able to check email, look up directions, and call local places. Also will be with several people so would be nice to call each other if separated around town.

Transpac, I assume you're American based on your username.

I'm sure you know in the US we have "unlimited" data for our phones, so I never worry about how much data I use. I use 2-3 gigs of data per month on Sprint. I browse the internet, stream internet radio, check/update my Facebook, email and YouTube.

So how does the pre-paid data compare in Thailand? Are you constantly topping up, or are you always trying *not* to use data on your phone? Do you worry about data usage much more when it's pay by megabyte?

A smartphone sounds scary when you have to pre-pay for data or when you pay per megabyte.

Thanks

I have never seen nor heard about a negative balance, typically you start to get warning SMSes from the service provider when your balance approaches zero. Once at zero you cannot originate calls or texts. Did you actually check your balance/expiry via *121# and receive a reply showing a negative balance? Maybe the billing system takes a few minutes or hours to catch up? Also many SIMs have a promotional calling bonus, in minutes or baht, so this may have bumped your balance?

That's exactly how I checked the balance on my phone. I think I got to -50 baht balance. I'm not quite sure if I was on some sort of promo or not. I don't really know the intricacies about the Thai mobile service because I was only on there for a holiday.

So how does the pre-paid data compare in Thailand?


Typically you would layer a data plan (3G/2G) on top of pre-paid SIM. Prices are ~ 350 baht/1 GB, 550 baht for 2 GB and 750 for 3 GB, 900 baht for 5 GB.

Some of these plans are "unlimited" in the sense that once you reach the threshold your speed is throttled to 384 Kbps (think "fair use"), so you do not have to worry about exceeding your cap and then paying some per MB charge. Plans which are hard-capped might have an overage charge of 2 baht/MB. Generally the larger capacity plans 3 GB and above come as unlimited.

DTAC/Happy recently repackaged their data plans to include unlimited plans down to 1 GB/399 baht, which is what I use. I tend to use WiFi when it is available from a reliable source, and use 3G when there is no WiFi. I use Droidstats to monitor usage, but DTAC has an Android App to check account status, or I use a USSD swipe and receive an SMS in a few seconds.


So you have to get an unlimited plan or monitor/manage your usage.

edited to add: there are also daily unlimited data plans for 49 baht/day, fair-use to 140 MB at 3G, 384 Kbps after; and DTAC has a weekly plan for 199 baht. fair-use to 1 GB.

I'm stuck with T-Mo 2G when I go back to the U.S.: $2 per day for unlimited talk, text and data.

I'm stuck with T-Mo 2G when I go back to the U.S.: $2 per day for unlimited talk, text and data.
2G? 4G is all over the place with Sprint/Verizon. I don't even think T-Mobile exists anymore?

2G? 4G is all over the place with Sprint/Verizon. I don't even think T-Mobile exists anymore?

I use an unlocked SGS1-variant (AT&T Captivate) which does not support 1700/AWS so I am limited to GSM data with T-Mo on a PAYG plan. It's fine for my requirements/applications as I only return to the U.S. ~ 6 times per year, for short visits.

FWIW, I did just see a new Samsung phone in Tesco Lotus here for 567 baht!

I did ask around about this negative balance and I guess all the providers allow for a negative balance of up to 50 baht. This may be a sort on consumer protection thing, along the lines of MNP and 1-year validity?

Even though I didn't start the thread, thanks for all the followup Transpac!

OK so 550 baht for 2 gigs of data for a month. For me personally, that would be fine for my phone usage, and strictly for my phone. I have my own broadband connection at home. But for a typical Thai person, are they using their phone to tether a computer and not have a separate broadband connection at home?

Fixed-line broadband (DSL, DOCSIS, FTTH) is generally available in major metropolitan areas, provincial capitals and smaller towns/cities, at least close to main roads. A typical plan is 6 Mbps/512 Kbps for 599 baht/month. I think my DSL line (we have three here) is 12/1 for 899 baht/month.

I'd say 75% ~ 80% of mobile broadband subscribers use it for typical smartphone applications, while the remainder use it for data (tether, mobile AP, USB air-card), and some for fixed-line replacement.

Okay, I have spent probably too much research and thought on this matter, but I live by my phone (navigation, internet, text, calls, etc).

I am going to buy a ATT android goPhone with WiFi and uses 950/1800 MHz frequency so I can use it in Thailand once I get a true Sim card. With the WiFi in most cities, I will have access to maps and internet which will be useful to me.

I have also set up a Skype account so that people who call my US cell phone get pushed to my Skype account and that pushes to my Thailand phone.

Am I missing anything or is this a good system?

Okay, I have spent probably too much research and thought on this matter, but I live by my phone (navigation, internet, text, calls, etc).

I am going to buy a ATT android goPhone with WiFi and uses 950/1800 MHz frequency so I can use it in Thailand once I get a true Sim card. With the WiFi in most cities, I will have access to maps and internet which will be useful to me.

I have also set up a Skype account so that people who call my US cell phone get pushed to my Skype account and that pushes to my Thailand phone.

Am I missing anything or is this a good system?

Not sure about the frequencies but everything else sounds good. I did something similar when I went to Bangkok and Chiang Mai last month.

One thing I found was that free wifi was not as ubiquitous as I was lead to believe. Plan use the data plan on the sim card. 3g was everywhere and pretty fast and cheap too. I also got a couple offline map apps that were useful since GPS works offline.

I am going to buy a ATT android goPhone with WiFi and uses 950/1800 MHz frequency so I can use it in Thailand once I get a true Sim card.

Am I missing anything or is this a good system?
Two things I see.
1)You need to get your phone unlocked. You can do it here or there, but you won't be able to use the phone service there until it is unlocked.
2)I wouldn't depend on wifi being widely available.

When do you leave for your trip?

I leave August 1st.

How do I get it unlocked here or should I just do it over there?

I thought Wifi is widely available, mainly I'll probably use it the most in Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, and Chiang Mai

Okay, I have spent probably too much research and thought on this matter, but I live by my phone (navigation, internet, text, calls, etc).

I am going to buy a ATT android goPhone with WiFi and uses 950/1800 MHz frequency so I can use it in Thailand once I get a true Sim card. With the WiFi in most cities, I will have access to maps and internet which will be useful to me.

I have also set up a Skype account so that people who call my US cell phone get pushed to my Skype account and that pushes to my Thailand phone.

Am I missing anything or is this a good system?

You seem to be mixing GSM and 3G frequencies?

TrueMove H and DTAC/Happy operate 3G on 850 MHz, while AIS/One-2-Call operate 3G on 900 Mhz. AT&T 3G phones usually offer 850 MHz as this is one of their frequencies (along with 1900 MHz) in the U.S.

Until fairly recently I used an un-locked Samsung Captivate (AT&T's SG1 variant) here in Thailand on DTAC/Happy, and did trial it on TrueMove H.

An unlocked GSM phone which supports (at least) 850 MHz 3G is recommended so you have the choice of TrueMove H or DTAC/Happy.

I think TrueMove H's WiFi affiliation might offer access via ~ 70,000 hot-spots across the Kingdom. DTAC/happy has some limited WiFi APs. These Wifi services have some limitations re: speed, access time and the like so I wouldn't equate them to paid WiFi services in other countries. Since they go for ~ 100 baht/30 days it might be obvious that they will be somewhat limiting. I tend to use WiFi in those indoor areas, like shopping malls, where 3G is unavailable.

Which goPhone are you looking at? Are those un-locked? What is your budget?

You seem to be mixing GSM and 3G frequencies?

TrueMove H and DTAC/Happy operate 3G on 850 MHz, while AIS/One-2-Call operate 3G on 900 Mhz. AT&T 3G phones usually offer 850 MHz as this is one of their frequencies (along with 1900 MHz) in the U.S.

Until fairly recently I used an un-locked Samsung Captivate (AT&T's SG1 variant) here in Thailand on DTAC/Happy, and did trial it on TrueMove H.

An unlocked GSM phone which supports (at least) 850 MHz 3G is recommended so you have the choice of TrueMove H or DTAC/Happy.

I think TrueMove H's WiFi affiliation might offer access via ~ 70,000 hot-spots across the Kingdom. DTAC/happy has some limited WiFi APs. These Wifi services have some limitations re: speed, access time and the like so I wouldn't equate them to paid WiFi services in other countries. Since they go for ~ 100 baht/30 days it might be obvious that they will be somewhat limiting. I tend to use WiFi in those indoor areas, like shopping malls, where 3G is unavailable.

Which goPhone are you looking at? Are those un-locked? What is your budget?

Yeah, it has more frequency's than just 850/1900. Thanks for the information about TrueMove's wifi.

I am looking at the ATT Avail, which eBay has new $95. My budget is no more than $100 really.

Yeah, it has more frequency's than just 850/1900. Thanks for the information about TrueMove's wifi.

I am looking at the ATT Avail, which eBay has new $95. My budget is no more than $100 really.

The AT&T Avail (ZTE Z990) appears to support the necessary GSM frequencies for voice, text and 2G data here in Thailand. Further it appears to support 850/1900/2100 MHz 3G so would work on TrueMove H, DTAC/Happy and TOT/MVNOs 3G networks here.

As long as it is unlocked then you should be good to go.

FWIW, if you have a Google Voice telephone number you can use an Android app. called GrooVeIP which is a VoIP front-end for Google Voice. With this you can originate/receive free calls to/from the U.S. and Canada. The free version works over WiFi while the paid version adds 3G capability. I use GrooVeIP often here in Thailand and it works well for me.

Will Verizon just unlock an iphone4s if we ask them to or is this something I can do on my own?

Going to Hong Kong and Thailand for 7 days each and want to do whatever is easiest/cheapest.

Will Verizon just unlock an iphone4s if we ask them to or is this something I can do on my own?



It shouldn't be a problem if you've been a customer in good standing for 90 days.

Will Verizon just unlock an iphone4s if we ask them to or is this something I can do on my own?

Going to Hong Kong and Thailand for 7 days each and want to do whatever is easiest/cheapest.

https://community.verizonwireless.com/thread/696707?start=0&tstart=0

I am looking at the ATT Avail, which eBay has new $95. My budget is no more than $100 really.
I just looked up that phone. 600mhz Snapdragon (:td:). Old Android. Will you be using the phone for this trip and then never again? Or do you think you might use the phone again in the future?

If you think you will use it again, then I might spring for a bit faster phone. Go for a used one with at least a 1Ghz cpu. 512meg of RAM is the big one to watch for.

Ice Cream Sandwich. :D :D :o

I planned to just use the phone for this trip and than sell it on Ebay after if I don't loose of break it.

I bought a samsung basic phone gt-e1055t or something for 800 THB and a AIS 1-2 call sim its been working great for 6 months now.