using a 4G tablet tethered to my laptop?

[Mr-Zedd]

Hello everyone,

I live out at the west end of Soi 6, and I am trying to avoid the Farang hassles of getting Internet hooked up to my friend's house for only 2 months while I am here.

An option I am considering is buying a cheap 3-4000 bhat Android tablet (that I was thinking of buying anyway) that has 4G capability and tethering it to my laptop for general Internet use. I need to use my laptop for the main Internet device since I need Photoshop and other such programs.

I can occasionally get my neighbours wifi signal (he gave me his password), but with an avg download speed of 0.1 Mpbs it's difficult to do much at that slow speed.

Both True and DTAC show they have 4G coverage on their websites covering Soi 6, but of course we know that might not be accurate. They advertise "up to 42Mpbs", but I would be happy with 5-7Mbps.

Is anyone out there using a 4G phone or tablet for general Internet use? If so how are the download speeds and what provider are you using? Any issues tethering it to a laptop or desktop?

Many thanks!

[georgy]

I just recently used the free AIS 4G trial for 2 weeks, however i didn't realize any improovement of speed.
You could try my TRUE hotspot, which I am rarely using.

[Big Boy]

I regularly use the 3G facility (don't think I'm 4G yet) on my phone whenever my main Internet drops out, and I rarely notice the difference. I get download speeds of about 8 Mbps.

More importantly, if I travel, my phone's Hotspot tethering often keeps 4 others connected. I (they've) used it from Krabi to Chiang Mai with no problem. My phone simply sits in my pocket. Battery usage does increase, but nothing that a portable power bank can't handle.

I went to Telewiz on the 3rd floor of Market Village, and my package costs me 399 Baht/month. They fixed me up with a AIS package. After initial set up, money is automatically deducted from the phone's credit each month.

[redzonerocker]

I've used a Samsung Galaxy S4 and got decent speeds tethered with usb.
That was pretty central and on the 4th floor of a hotel when the wifi was out of action.
A lot does depend on location.

Why not try a usb dongle?, they're a lot cheaper.
If you get it unlocked to any network you can chop and change sim cards until you find the best option, speed and price wise.

[barrys]

I use one of these from TP-Link with a SIM card inside.

Can run my PC, notebook and all the smartphones in the household at home or when travelling - and it doubles as a power bank, too.

tp-link.jpg (4.58 KiB) Viewed 884 times

[Siani]

Hi I tether all the time with 3. Not sure if you can get it in Thailand.

[Phyton]

Tethering 4G works fine in Cha-Am. I use a Android smartphone as wifi-router for a Laptop and another smartphone.
Speed most 7-10 Mbps sometimes up to 25 Mbps.

[Mr-Zedd]

Hello everyone,

Thanks for your comments and ideas.

Sometimes I use the 3G on my phone to tether the laptop, but since I am on the outskirts of Hua Hin, it often is only 1 Mbps. Sometimes 2-3 Mpbs late at night if I am lucky. Sometimes it doesnt work at all.

My location is obviously part of my problem. If I were in downtown Hua Hin, 3G would probably be ok speed to use for tethering.

redzonerocker
- yes a usb dongle is a good idea, never thought of that option. thanks

barrys
- TP-Link, nice little unit, looks like this model would work well:
http://www.tp-link.co.th/products/detai ... M7350.html
seems to cost around 4000 bhat, I would have to ponder a bit at that price, although I could use it it many countries

I will wander into town tomorrow and see what I find.

Thanks!

[barrys]

barrys
- TP-Link, nice little unit, looks like this model would work well:
http://www.tp-link.co.th/products/detai ... M7350.html
seems to cost around 4000 bhat...

Bought my TP-Link device in Cambodia for US$ 80

[Mr-Zedd]

barrys
- wow, that's a great deal. I would pick one up at that price point.

[Big Boy]

If you're impressed with that price, check your messages.

[Mr-Zedd]

Ok, I have visited the numerous mobile provider shops at MVillage and here is what I have found:
1) AIS in theory sells a 4G mobile wifi unit but the staff havent seen them for months
2) DTAC does not sell any units
3) True, does sell a mobile wifi unit (see pic) for 1990B, but the staff didnt know if I could use another sim card (other than True) or if it would work out of Thailand

redzonerocker
- I considered a USB dongle except: a) it would only work for my laptop (not my 3G phone), and b) I havent found a 4G capable dongle

I went looking for 4G tablets, but outside of Apple and Samsung (which are both overpriced for what I need it for), I may try to buy a Lenovo Tab 2 A8. My friend bought one recently and it's only around 4200B, and it has 4G capabilities (8" screen). But, It's hard to find. I have seen it on the Powerbuy website (http://www.powerbuy.co.th/p/tablet-leno ... b-a5500-a8), but only the 7" model (3G only) is in stock in store.

So, in summary, if I can find a mobile wifi unit (that I can use out of the country with other sim cards) at a good price (new or used) then I will go that route. Plan B would be to buy a Lenovo 4G tablet so it would give me tethering options (to any other device) as well as use of a larger portable screen size for travel.

Thanks for all your suggestions. I appreciate your help!

[Big Boy]

If you're having trouble with 3G connectivity, are you sure 4G will work? They must both rely on a decent signal.

[Big Boy]

Mr Zedd,

I've been in Soi 6 this evening at the Nichchapa Restaurant outside the entrance to Wat Bo Fai. Out of interest, I checked the connection speeds using my phone, and I received the following response:

Ping 27 secs
Download 9.39Mbps
Upload 4.57Mbps

Is that anywhere near you?

[Mr-Zedd]

Hello BigBoy
"If you're having trouble with 3G connectivity, are you sure 4G will work?"

Yes this is very true. If I can't get good 3G then I may not get good 4G either.

I think for the remainder of this trip (6 weeks) I will have to make due with my various connections options. Sometimes one option works and the other doesnt.

When I return in the fall I will plan to move somewhere downtown so the signals are much stronger. It would also make things easier living closer (walking distance) to good restaurants to!

I will also plan to buy a 4G device, whether it be a tablet or mobile wifi box, so that way I can tether from 4G regardless of my outdated iPhone limitations.

Thanks for the ideas and suggestions!