CAT-CDMA2000 1xEV-DO

[Buadhai]

I notice that CAT is now offering "high speed" Internet via their CDMA2000 network.

I understand that this network is capable of downlink data rates up to 4.9 Mbit/s and uplink data rates up to 1.8 Mbit/s.

According to the CAT CDMA web site, the service is available throughout Korat.

Anyone know any more?

[stargazer]

have you found out any further info on this since you posted this?  I am interested in this since I live outside of PhiMai and am using GPRS at present and it is slow, slow, slow.

thanx
carl

[Buadhai]

I haven't found out anything new. I don't need it, but would go for it if I lived where you do.

[sunstate]

OK I have finally found out something about the a CDMA Service. This link takes you to quite a good Speed Test Page. http://www.adslthailand.com/. There are various options there however one is a link to Hutch CDMA http://www.hutch.co.th/broadband/p_promotion_modem_th.htm.

[Buadhai]

Anyone actually using the CAT CDMA2000?

I'm disappointed that I can't get True's WiMax. (I'm less than 2K from their transmitter but they say the signal is too weak! I thought WiMax could do up to 50K?)

[Buadhai]

We went to the CAT office today to ask about CDMA. They have a transmitter near Sam Yaak Pak, so it would be available to us at Homeland. The problem is the cost of the modem. To get the high speed EVDO service you need to buy a modem that costs 11K. For that you get download bandwidths that they say average around 800K. Not bad for 790 baht per month. But, the modem only has a USB port. They don't have one with an ethernet port that you could connect to a router. And, they say that they will not activate a modem purchased elsewhere. I'm sure they can. They just won't.

I'm still looking for an Internet solution....

[Pompui]

From todays Bangkok Post



Mobile network will switch over to GSM

KOMSAN TORTERMVASANA

CAT Telecom is preparing to abandon CDMA technology for its money-losing mobile-phone service and migrate to the GSM system that is in more widespread use throughout the world.

The state telecom enterprise has held talks with cellular partner Hutchison and with the two operators holding CAT concessions, DTAC and True Move, and all agreed that switching to GSM was the right idea, said a senior CAT executive who asked not to be named.

CAT provides the Hutch CDMA service in 25 central provinces including Bangkok in a joint venture with Hutchison under CAT Wireless Multimedia.

However, the Hutch service has managed to attract only about 700,000 customers in a mobile market of 54 million.

Huawei Technology last year completed a 7.2-billion-baht expansion of the CDMA system to allow CAT to offer nationwide coverage, but the Chinese firm is locked in a dispute with CAT over fines for late delivery of the system.

The expanded network infrastructure would not go to waste because it can be adapted to the GSM platform.

The executive said CAT had concluded that continuing to use CDMA technology would lead to mounting losses because most of the world had now shifted to GSM technology, although CDMA is still popular in the United States and Japan.

''Continuing service on CDMA will lead to a deadlock and we also will miss the technology advancement bandwagon,'' he said.

CAT intends to migrate to HSDPA or High Speed Downlink Packet Access. The technology improves the performance of W-CDMA networks, but more importantly has become the technology of choice for third-generation (3G) services on GSM networks.

With higher data transfer speeds and greater system capacity, mobile users would have access to high-speed broadband multimedia services including internet access and rapid downloading of e-mails with attachments, wireless audio, DVD-quality video and multi-player gaming among other applications.

The executive said it had become clear that operating a nationwide CDMA network would not be financially viable, even if subscriber numbers increased.

A major problem is the new interconnection system, under which operators charge each other for calls handled across different networks. He said that Hutch would end up as a net payer since it has so few customers compared with the three large operators.

The executive said CAT and Hutch agreed that now was an opportune time to start shifting to a new platform since the government was still deciding how to handle the issuing of 3G licences.

If the two big CAT concession holders, DTAC and True Move, migrated to 3G service using the same frequencies allocated to CAT and its state enterprise sibling TOT, more services could be offered based on HSDPA, he said.

He said the switch to GSM would not cost much money because some network infrastructure could be reused.

While there could be some impact on businesses developing content and applications for CDMA, they are expected to be able to adapt quickly and benefit from rapid take-up of new 3G services.

Worldwide, 86% of all cellular customers use 316 GSM-based networks in 147 countries. A total of 190 networks in 83 countries offer WCDMA, and 154 networks in 71 countries have HSDPA.

The executive said that CAT could form joint ventures with Hutch and True Move to provide mobile broadband services using the same 850 MHz bandwidth that CAT and Hutch now use.

[Buadhai]

^Well then, I'm glad I didn't spend 12K baht on a CDMA EV-DO modem....

[mypenry]

Just wondering if by now the CAT CDMA service ever did close down , any one know the current situation 



Mypenry

[Pompui]

Don't know, but CAT have opened up an office in the Mall basement.

[mypenry]

Hi, Ive just been reading some reports about CAT-CDMA and connecting to the internet , and just wondered if the CAT-CDMA was still going to be abandoned .

I use my Mobile EDGE to connect to the internet , but I am all ways looking for a better connection speed , ive just checked out the CAT-CDMA web site and it shows my village as being in the connection area.

connection areas shown here ...    http://www.catcdma.com/about_as/coveragearea/

and from reading other forums people are still using it with what seems decent results.


Mypenry
 

[GaryA]

I too read the rumors that CAT was going to pull the plug on CDMA. At this point they are expanding their EVDO service so I find it very doubtful that they will abandon it. I live in the boonies of Loei province and just recently they have apparently built a new tower near me. I have purchased the CCU 680 modem and have the unlimited service for 790 baht per month. Here is my latest speed test;
Last Result:

Download Speed: 1493 kbps (186.6 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 240 kbps (30 KB/sec transfer rate)
Latency: 364 ms
Thursday, December 18, 2008 15:02:12

I really hope they don't get too many new customers and overload the system. As of the past two weeks it has been excellent. The only problem is that Hutch and CAT can't seem to get together. You cannot use EVDO in a Hutch coverage area. That includes Bangkok and Chonburi.

[Buadhai]

I looked in to this again when I moved to an area that did not then have ADSL. The reason I ended up not buying CAT's EVDO service is that it cost too much to put a home LAN on. It would have meant buying a new router with a PC card slot and the very-expensive Sierra Aircard modem. Fortunately, a few months after I moved I was able to get TTT to transfer my MaxNet service to the new home.

[mypenry]

 Well Ive now taken the plunge - 

For some time now Ive been using both a 56k dial up and mobile phone EDGE internet connections , so I decided to give a CAT CDMA - EV-DO rev A  Modem a try, I live about 80km from Korat .

The speed's I have been getting are around  1950 Down and 325 Up  , the connection is very stable with no disconnections , and compared to my previous internet connections, I am very happy with the results, the above speeds were the same on my Mac and PC and Whirlpool 12 kg top loader

The un limited Monthly option I use is 790 Baht + Tax

All in all a happy camper .




Mypenry

[Buadhai]

^How do you feel about it now; eight months later?

[mypenry]

^How do you feel about it now; eight months later?

Now looking back , I wish I had got the CAT CDMA connection sooner , but not long after I started using the CAT modem , there was a
period when the connection would just freeze , this seem's to have been now sorted out, Considering that my past internet connection was using a TOT land line dialup , and I am too far away for an ADSL option, the CAT CDMA is well worth the Monthly fee ,  my last CAT bill was the normal charge for the unlimited package of  845.30 Baht ( Inc VAT )  and a usage time of 624.67 Hours

It does seem that some people who are currently using the CAT CDMA system , do experience some problems, and I think this may be related to how far they may be from a CAT tower, so I would say to any one thinking of getting a CAT modem, first find out where your nearest CAT tower is.

I have also read comments from people who are 12Km from a CAT tower , and are using an external aerial , and they seem to be happy with the results but as with most things here the proof of the pudding Etc.
 

So personally I am happy with my current CAT results , the only thing I do wonder is if the CAT CDMA becomes more and more popular
and the subscribers increase ,  will the standard of service decline .



Mypenry


 

[Buadhai]

Thanks for the update. Great throughput for wireless.

[202marcellus]

What were your initial setup costs?

[thiga]

Im on tot ipstar 512kbps 2354bht a month. im16 kilo fom phimai road chumpion,anyone know do they have a cat tower nearby,for cdma.they dont seem to know.thanky thiga

[mypenry]

Hi, when I first went to the CAT office in Korat to see about their CDMA  , I asked where was the nearest tower to my home , the manageress then made a telephone call , and told me the location of the nearest tower to me, and she gave me the name of a resort that was next to the Tower, I went home and had a look at the resort , and there next to it was a CAT tower. I know many people who are using the CAT CDMA system, some with good results and some with not so good, the distance from the CAT tower and the geography of the land between the tower and the user plays a big part in the out come, the best way Ive found even if you are told that there is a CAT tower in your area, is to find some one who all ready uses the CAT CDMA system and offer them a few beer's to bring their notebook out to your home area and actually try and connect to the internet . Ive been out with my notebook to several would be CAT users to see if there's actually a CAT signal in their area, and the results were varied .  I would say if there's a CAT signal in your area , it should be possible to improve it with an external roof antenna , the correct coaxial size and the correct small adapter cable that connects the external roof antenna coxail to the CAT modem,
this is why I would recommend a modem that has the external antenna connector . It took me some time to set up my CAT external antenna , but in the end it   
seems to have worked out well.
 

sorry I can't answer your question about a CAT tower in your area.



Cheer's


mypenry
 
 
   

[thiga]

thanks for the info,ive only spoke to them on the phone,well my wife did,do you have an address for the office in korat,i would be very gratefull.thanks in advance,great forum.thiga

[mypenry]

thanks for the info,ive only spoke to them on the phone,well my wife did,do you have an address for the office in korat,i would be very gratefull.thanks in advance,great forum.thiga

Hi , The CAT office I went to was next to the Klang Plaza , (on left hand next to the loading entrance as you face the main entrance ) the CAT office has its own parking , with a security guard , I just drove in and parked ok. here's the price list I was given then and the CAT Korat office phone number...



I am using the unlimited option ( 790 Baht + VAT ) shown on the bottom .

if you need any more info, just let me know


mypenry

[thiga]

that is really so helpfull.thankyou from thiga.

[MrChokChai]

thanks for that mypen

[mypenry]

thanks for that mypen

Your welcome, I shudder to think what would happen if I had to revert back to my old TOT dial up connection,
ive been playing around with my Sony Ericsson mobile phone and its EDGE connection, Ive got a Dtac external roof antenna connected to the SE, and the EDGE is connecting ok, so its going to be used as a stand by should my CAT connection have any problems.
 

mypenry