Does the Mbps advertised really matter ?

[rolexboy]

In Thailand 3G has started to be more available , the 3G provider I'm currently using ,in their advertising it says that they provide 42 Mbps . On the 3G providers web site they offer a range of USB modems ( here some times all so called an air card or dongle ) .

This is the range of USB modems currently on offer

as you can see the USB modems are shown with different Mbps ratings

21 Mbps

7.2 Mbps

3.6 Mbps


personally ive never been able to get more than 6 Mbps when using my 21 Mbps USB modem ,but it all so can be a lot less a lot of the time .

So if some one is looking for a new USB modem, does it really matter which Mbps model they choose , as there's a big difference in modem Mbps price range .


Personally ive never seen or heard of any one here actually getting the Mbps that the 3G provider splashes all across its advertising , so I'm assuming its some sort of '' theoretical '' number that looks good on paper :wtf:

 

[RustyPrincess]

The advertised speed is the theoretical maximum. Depending on the number of users on a particular tower, and the distance you are away from it, as well as the back haul available, you speed will vary. Their double surf, I am assuming is what the rest of the world refers to as dual carrier (or 42MBps) which means 2 carrier signals are used instead of one, thus upping your speed. (not necessarily doubling it).

 

[Viva]

What RustyPrincess said.

I'd say that having a 3.6Mbps modem might bring your speed down a little in some conditions, but a 7.2Mbps modem won't really restrict you. 6Mbps is also the fastest I've seen on 3G. 21Mbps probably makes sense for future proofing, and some guys actually do get 10-12Mbps on 21Mbps networks.

 

[InTheCube]

The newer modems with higher speeds (21 & 42mbps) are definitely better, and make use of more efficient algorithms and protocols to transfer data. So while you might never reach the theoretical max of 21 or 42mbps, you will definitely see an improvement in speeds, quality and stability. On the flipside though, it will only make a difference if you are connecting to a base station that is 21/42mbps capable and implements all these new technologies.

21 and 42mbps is often referred to as HSPA+, and this technology is more spectrally efficient than 3.6 and 7.2mbps, meaning that more users can connect to a base station at the same time, and all have better speeds, using the same amount of radio spectrum.

There are other factors that will also affect speed, including distance from base station, line of sight (any major obstacles in the path, like large buildings, steel frames, thick walls, etc?), the backhaul capacity of the base-station, and number of users on the base station at that time.

If you can afford the more expensive modems, and you want a higher speed, then they're definitely worth it. But obviously won't make sense having an awesome expensive 42mbps modem with a 1GB cap. In that case you rather go for the cheapest modem. Only pay for the extra speed if you are going to use it (i.e. if you have a big cap, or uncapped).

 

[rolexboy]

Thanks guy's for the interesting info , its much appreciated


The Double Surf USB modem has two 3G frequencies ( 900Mhz and 2100Mhz ) the rest of the USB modems on offer are all only one frequency .

As a newcomer to 3G I'm still learning , on the current 3G package I use ( called - Click 590 Unlimited ) shown below

http://i451.photobucket.com/albums/qq232/Filesaver1/Screenshot2012-01-30at15456PM-2.jpg

it states that when I go over 4GB , my download speed is throttled to 384 Kbps . Is this normal practice or just some thing this Thai 3G provider is doing ?

The cost for my Click 590 Unlimited Monthly package is approximately 149 Rand + 7 % VAT , how does this compare with where you are ?


Thanks

 

[InTheCube]

The Double Surf USB modem has two 3G frequencies ( 900Mhz and 2100Mhz ) the rest of the USB modems on offer are all only one frequency.

900mhz HSPA+ has bigger coverage cells for each base station and better indoor coverage (signals penetrate buildings, walls and objects much better than HSPA+ 2100). However, that means more people can connect to a base station, and saturate the backhaul links if they are not big enough, or even saturate the radio/spectrum capacity. Operators generally roll out 2100mhz in urban areas (smaller cells, so less users per cell, which means less congestion) and 900mhz in rural/suburban areas.

Deciding whether to go with 900mhz or 2100mhz depends on where the operator has coverage in each frequency, which can be tricky to find out and make a decision on. I'm quite surprised that they allow to choose in the first place. In any case, the dual band (900 + 2100) modem would be a bettter choice. I wonder if the modem will automatically choose which frequency to operate on based on signal strength, or if the software will allow you to choose.

As a newcomer to 3G I'm still learning , on the current 3G package I use ( called - Click 590 Unlimited ) shown below

http://i451.photobucket.com/albums/qq232/Filesaver1/Screenshot2012-01-30at15456PM-2.jpg

it states that when I go over 4GB , my download speed is throttled to 384 Kbps . Is this normal practice or just some thing this Thai 3G provider is doing ?

The cost for my Click 590 Unlimited Monthly package is approximately 149 Rand + 7 % VAT , how does this compare with where you are ?

R149 for uncapped, throttled to 384kbps after 4GB. That's a good deal compared to South African prices.

Most 3G packages here in RSA have fixed caps. So after you reach your cap (4GB in your case), you are either cut off, or charged per MB at ridiculous prices (between 50c and R2 per MB) depending on your package. We call this the OOB Shark (OOB = out of bundle). The OOB shark has devoured many unsuspecting consumers, when they are hit with bills that are in the thousands of rands.

The only uncapped 3G packages on the market are from MTN:
R289 for uncapped, throttled to 256kbps after 3GB, on a 24 month contract
R799 for uncapped, throttled to 384kbps after 10G, on a 24 month contract

8.ta is running a promotion:
R199 for 10GB on a 24month contract

Do you live in Thailand, or are you there on business/holiday? How is their fixed line internet infrastructure? Do they offer high speed ADSL or fibre-optic lines (FTTH)? If these are the prices for there 3G products, I'm sure there fixed line products will be even cheaper and much faster.

I'd investigate fixed line products first, unless you really need the mobility of a 3G connection.

 

[MervynB]

Most 3G packages here in RSA have fixed caps. So after you reach your cap (4GB in your case), you are either cut off, or charged per MB at ridiculous prices (between 50c and R2 per MB) depending on your package. We call this the OOB Shark (OOB = out of bundle). The OOB shark has devoured many unsuspecting consumers, when they are hit with bills that are in the thousands of rands.

That's not quite correct.

Some of the rates for data in South Africa verge on the ridiculous as you point out. The cost of data is, however, a whole new discussion. There are, however, many promotional deals available at good prices if one is prepared to hop from one supplier to another on a fairly regular basis.

But to come back to the OOB Shark, Vodacom offers Standard and Advanced contracts. The Advanced contracts cost a bit more but any data used over cap is charged at the in-bundle rate. As a example the 3Gb standard contract costs R499/month and the OOB rate is 50c/Mb compared to the in-bundle rate of 16c/Mb. The advanced 3Gb contract costs R565/month but the OOB rate is 18c/Mb. The OOB Shark is not quite toothless with an advanced contract but his bite is definitely less harmful to your bank balance.

 

[InTheCube]

That's not quite correct.

Some of the rates for data in South Africa verge on the ridiculous as you point out. The cost of data is, however, a whole new discussion. There are, however, many promotional deals available at good prices if one is prepared to hop from one supplier to another on a fairly regular basis.

But to come back to the OOB Shark, Vodacom offers Standard and Advanced contracts. The Advanced contracts cost a bit more but any data used over cap is charged at the in-bundle rate. As a example the 3Gb standard contract costs R499/month and the OOB rate is 50c/Mb compared to the in-bundle rate of 16c/Mb. The advanced 3Gb contract costs R565/month but the OOB rate is 18c/Mb. The OOB Shark is not quite toothless with an advanced contract but his bite is definitely less harmful to your bank balance.

Wow. You HAVE to be working for VodaCON. It's the only explanation I can think of. R499 for 3GB is ridiculous. R565 for 3GB itself is also ridiculous, with OOB Shark or not.

BTW, you really confused me with your first 2 sentences. Is the cost of data verging on the ridiculous, or is it a whole new discussion?

 

[koeksGHT]

I really don't see the point in these 42mbps speeds, its too expensive anyway!!

 

[rolexboy]

I live in Thailand , and the prices shown in my original post are for wireless 3G , unfortunately I live in a very rural area too far from the nearest fixed line telephone exchange to allow me to have ADSL. So Wireless is my only option .

In some of the larger city's here there's the option for '' cable '' internet where a cable is laid into your home , here's the current price options , I think there's 7 % VAT to be added, some times there's an offer that gives you ..Free connection fee - Free Cable Modem - Free Coaxial Cable . ( the package cannot be cancelled for 12 Months )

Rand cost shown in Green

As for normal fixed telephone line ADSL , this package seems to be popular ...

Currently I'm using a 3G service transmitted from this tower .....

and this below is a satellite view of my house and the 3G tower ( CAT ) which is about 3Km away ....

 

[MervynB]

Wow. You HAVE to be working for VodaCON. It's the only explanation I can think of. R499 for 3GB is ridiculous. R565 for 3GB itself is also ridiculous, with OOB Shark or not.

Why would I HAVE to be working for Vodacom? I didn't suggest that you, or anyone else, buy those packages, I just said they were available. In fact, I pointed out that there are plenty of better deals around it you are prepared to jump from one promotion to the other. What I was doing was pointing out that your assertion that OOB starts at 50c/Mb was incorrect. Depending on the contract, it can be substantially less than that.

BTW, you really confused me with your first 2 sentences. Is the cost of data verging on the ridiculous, or is it a whole new discussion?

I agree with your assertion. The cost of data in South Africa DOES verge on the ridiculous. If you want to discuss this, it doesn't really belong in this thread (which is already decidedly off topic) so a new thread would be appropriate. On the other hand, a new discussion on this would be rather pointless. The topic has already been done to death in these fora. Nothing said here will make 1c difference to the price we pay for data anyway.

 

[InTheCube]

Those fixed line prices are really good. I would kill for a line that does 50mbps download and 20mbps upload, for under a grand.

I assume these are all uncapped services? In that picture, I see that the left is XDSL. What is on the right? Is it fibre optic (FTTH) or perhaps cable? And what are the installation costs like (excluding the promotions that throw it in for free)? Great to see the entry level product is 7mbps, instead of 384kbps like we have here in RSA.

 

[SteveO]

dont get 3.6, you wont be able to decode the higher modulation schemes on 7.2 or 21mbps. 7.2 vs 21mbps wont really see much impact as they use the same modulation scheme, however 42mbps basically has 2 receivers, so you will see a difference between 21mbps v 42mbps modems.....if the cells in your area are 42mbps enabled, and its not congested.

 

[InTheCube]

So you're gonna have to go for 3G, but at least its uncapped (384kbps). Check the coverage maps of your provider, and see whether their maps differentiate between 900mhz and 2100mhz networks. If you are out in the rural areas (which look so judging from the map), you're more likely to be served by 900mhz if the 3G network is new (launched in the last 0-2 years), or 2100mhz if the 3G network is older (3+ years). I'd take the dual modem just to be safe, so that you can connect on either band.

 

[rolexboy]

Those fixed line prices are really good. I would kill for a line that does 50mbps download and 20mbps upload, for under a grand.

I assume these are all uncapped services? In that picture, I see that the left is XDSL. What is on the right? Is it fibre optic (FTTH) or perhaps cable? And what are the installation costs like (excluding the promotions that throw it in for free)? Great to see the entry level product is 7mbps, instead of 384kbps like we have here in RSA.

a bit more info ...

* * Some customers all ready have cable TV installed in their homes , and the existing cable can be used for an internet connection



I can confidentially tell you that here in Thailand most comments about internet connections and providers are not very often positive ones , the main issues seem to be with customer service and technical staff ( lack of real knowledge ) the last time I was in the customer service centre for my 3G provider , I was standing waiting patiently in line to be served by one of the Four pretty young girls , when Three of them just got up and went for lunch , leaving only One girl to cope with the increasing arrival of customers wanting to be attended to.

 

[sajunky]

I was standing waiting patiently in line to be served by one of the Four pretty young girls , when Three of them just got up and went for lunch , leaving only One girl to cope with the increasing arrival of customers wanting to be attended to.

Be careful boy. I have heard that Thailand airlines employ trans-seksuals, it can be wide spreading now. <g>

 

[rolexboy]

Be careful boy. I have heard that Thailand airlines employ trans-seksuals, it can be wide spreading now. <g>

Here Its some times difficult to tell the '' Boy's from the '' Girls ''

how good are you at telling the difference ?

which Two people shown in the photos below are Men

Can any one Tell the difference