CAT-CDMA2000 1xEV-DO

[buad hai]

I notice that CAT is now starting to heavily promote "high speed" Internet via their CDMA2000 network. (Did this used to be Hutch, as in "Have a Hutch Day" which was plastered all over the Skytrains at one point?)

I understand that this sort of network is capable of downlink data rates up to 4.9 Mbit/s and uplink data rates up to 1.8 Mbit/s. (Not that anything in Thailand would ever come close to that.

According to the CAT CDMA web site, the service is available throughout much of Thailand.

I did a little searching and found that Ethernet CDMA modems are available, although I didn't see anything on CAT's CDMA site.

Anyone know any more?

[Marmite the Dog]

^ So is this a wireless network or one that uses a land-line?

[Butterfly]

this is the leased line deal, for the big guys. Out of your league MtD

[buad hai]

^ So is this a wireless network or one that uses a land-line?

Wireless

Wiki CDMA2000

[Marmite the Dog]

^ I thought you were locked up for being an annoying kunt?

[Butterfly]

Anyone know any more?

It's all in Thai, maybe an English version could help

[buad hai]

annoying kunt?

I didn't realize I was an "annoying kunt". I'm still unclear about this jail stuff, anyway. Shouldn't the charges and trial be made public somewhere. Maybe "TD Justice" thread?

[ChiangMai noon]

He was referring to the annoying kunt... butterfly.

[Butterfly]

being an annoying kunt?

nah, that's your job

[Spin]

Well it looks as thought the service runs through a pcmcia card (usb devices available but slower dl /ul speeds) The card costs 13000 baht and then 590 per month.
Trials ongoing in Phuket at the moment and feedback seems positive.

Be interested in this for out in the sticks, i can see CDMA masks dotted alont the higway from Bangers up to Udon Thani.

Gonna investigate this further.

DL speed vary for 400-500 kbps down to 50 kbps depending on signal strenght and location.
Upload is very slow at 25-60kbps making the use of apps like skype sucessfully unlikely.

[buad hai]

They must be ready to introduce the service nation-wide. A big highway billboard advertising it just went up across from Lotus here in Korat.

[Spin]

Not quite nationwide, CAT dont have coverage in all the provinces. The other provinces are Hutch who operate a lower spec CMDA with 144kbps download.
I think there are 25 provinces where CAT have the province and BAngkok is not one of them.

CDMA 1XEV-DO will never be available in Bangkok unless Hutch upgrade or strike some kind of roaming deal with CAT.

[buad hai]

Ms. B called CAT yesterday to get the story. The cost is 590 baht per month and the download speed is supposed to be 159 (?) kbps. It's available in Korat.

Not for me, but for folks without a land line it might be a good alternative to GPRS or Ipstar....

[mrsquirrel]

Check to make sure they don'thave a downloadlimit

[Thetyim]

Check to make sure they don'thave a downloadlimit

I was looking at the website.
It looks like 790baht pm for unlimited.

CAT CDMA
Can anyone check that please ?

[buad hai]

I think you're right. The lower price just gives you 20 hours?

That page wasn't there a couple of days ago when we first looked.

[Spin]

I see the Aircard for this service is 12,900 Baht:

CAT CDMA

But you can get one off ebay for 25 U$D!

eBay: SIERRA WIRELESS SPRINT AIRCARD 580 EV-DO FREE SHIPPING (item 200128137500 end time Jul-18-07 1324 PDT)

[Thetyim]

^ You missed the small print
"requires contract with Sprint"

That's a one year contract at about 80 USD per month

[Spin]

^ yeah but they might mean that for that item to work you have to go off to sprint and get a contract with them.
I clicked the "buy it now" button and the price remains 25dollars. they wont ship to Thailand anyway but i have pals in USA who would forward here for me.
The question is whether that card would work once you get the CDMA EVO Sim card in it in Thailand?

[Thetyim]

^ yes it will work if it is Rev A.

I have been looking for a Novatel Ovation U720
Which is the same thing but is USB so can use on a PC
Can you get me one ?

[lom]

I would think that they are SIM-locked to Sprint in a similar way as discounted mobile phones are operator locked.

[Spin]

^ The other question is do CAT sell the EVO Sim on its own? or do you have to get the Aircard from then also?

[Spin]

I would think that they are SIM-locked to Sprint

I think you are right, after reading the description on this item...


eBay: NEW IN BOX Sprint Sierra Aircard 580 (item 220130638225 end time Aug-12-07 06:00:13 PDT)

Its a shame because can get that card sent here for less than 3000 baht including postage

[buad hai]

Each Sierra Wireless AirCard® 580 has been configured to work on a specific service provider's CDMA network. Simply downloading and installing another service provider's software and firmware for an AirCard 580 will not allow the card to operate properly on their network. For more details, please contact the service provider involved in originally distributing your AirCard.

From the Sierra Wireless web site.

[Spin]

^ Thanks BH, at least now I have something to put in the "what pissed you off today" thread