Using an iPhone & iPad in Thailand Tips, App Reviews and News for the iPhone and iPad by Richard Barrow

TrueMove Launch microSIM for 3G iPads

Posted on June 9, 2010


micro SIM

Is TrueMove planning on officially releasing an iPad 3G soon? At the moment in Thailand we can only buy iPads in the grey market at places like MBK, Fortune Tower and Panthip Plaza for inflated prices. Now comes the news that TrueMove are selling microSIMs and new data packages for the iPad 3G and of course the upcoming iPhone 4. Is TrueMove just trying to cash in on the large number of iPads floating around now or does this really mean that we will have an official version soon? Hopefully, if this is the case, the prices of the iPads at places like MBK will drop dramatically. If you are thinking about buying one soon, you might want to step back a second and review the situation. Personally, even if I wanted an iPad, I would wait for the second generation version which might have some of the new hardware features of the iPhone 4.

The following is the press release from TrueMove:

TrueMove First to Launch  TrueMove hi-speed microSIM for 3G iPads

Mr. Suphakit Vuntanadit, Chief Officer of Commercial of TrueMove Company Limited, is introducing the new TrueMove hi-speed microSIM that can work on 3G-enabled gadgets including 3G+WiFi iPads and other cutting-edge mobile devices. First to launch in Thailand, the TrueMove hi-speed microSIM strongly affirms TrueMove’s leadership in hi-speed mobile internet ahead of other competitors. TrueMove’s 850MHz 3G network is fully compatible with 3G+WiFi iPads and provides a maximum speed of 7.2 Mbps.

TrueMove’s 3G coverage is currently active in Bangkok metropolis and its vicinity, as well as major provincial areas such as Chiang Mai, Phuket, Pattaya and Hua Hin. iPad users can also enjoy Wi-Fi access — made convenient with the Easy Wi-Fi Application, available for downloading at the App Store, needing only a one-off registration of username and password   - via over 17,000 hotspots nationwide.

TrueMove offers 2 monthly plans to suit each and every lifestyle and need of customers. A monthly plan of 650Bht offers 1GB high-speed internet browsing and file downloading through 3G* connectivity and 1GB EDGE/GPRS,  as well as unlimited Wi-Fi for first 3 month. While the 400Bht monthly plan allows usage of 500MB EDGE/GPRS and 200MB 3G trail service. Existing TrueMove customers with the Wi-Fi iPad can also subscribe to a value-added monthly package of 250Bht for unlimited Wi-Fi access.

Those interested can subscribe to TrueMove hi-speed microSIM at any of the 32 True Shops and TrueMove Shops in Bangkok metropolis starting from June 1, 2010 onwards. For more enquiries, please call 08 2000 3333 or visit www.truemove.com/3g

The iPhone 4 is expected to arrive in Thailand in the grey market by early July 2010. If you decide to pay the inflated prices charged at MBK and other malls in Bangkok, then you will probably be able to use these new microSIM cards from TrueMove. I also understand that AIS have their own microSIM which they launched in May. (Strange because TrueMove used the word "first" in their press release). Interestingly, if you do a quick Google search, you will find that there are ways to literally CUT your regular SIM card to fit the iPad 3G and iPhone 4! And then you can buy adapters to allow it to fit in your regular devices. Maybe that way will be better. Worth considering anyway.

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Comments (26) Trackbacks (0)
  1. Jonas Kipps
    June 9th, 2010 - 14:19

    Too bad that TrueMove charges 650THB per GB. Silly prices on a broadband device such as iPad compared to ADSL / I-kool 3G

  2. John Bangkok
    June 9th, 2010 - 14:21

    TrueMove Launch microSIM for 3G – TrueMove’s micro SIM is B650 per 1GB, but regular SIM Is B599 unlimited. Makes no sense. You can physically cut down regular SIM to fit micro SIM slot and have unlimited 3G for B599 per month for iPad/iPhone 4.

  3. Base Sniper
    June 9th, 2010 - 14:23

    They had iPad on display at true building, SiamSq2. Looks really good but low battery due to too many people playing with it.

  4. Stephen Lee
    June 9th, 2010 - 14:24

    Probably they don’t know the regular SIM is able to be cut down. LOL.

  5. Bangkok Charlie
    June 9th, 2010 - 14:25

    I’m afraid iPad in Bangkok public places not working because wifi problems.

  6. @kjohn
    June 9th, 2010 - 14:27

    599 baht is if u buy iPhone from True. 699 baht if you buy the data package separately. It’s even worse if you compare to their InternetSim for computers

  7. Pat Skoolisariyaporn
    June 9th, 2010 - 14:31

    Richard, as far as I know, you can get the regular SIM and cut it into Micro Sim. So I think you can enjoy unlimited data. FYI, 3G Plan in TH is expensive comparing to HK or SG. In HK, you can get 3G sim for 400 Baht with 10GB limit. What’s fair?

  8. Richard Barrow
    June 9th, 2010 - 14:48

    As the iPad is not officially a smartphone (though you could argue the 3G version is), it is unknown whether TrueMove will be selling it. It is more likely that it will be iStudio shops. A friend says that he heard from iStudio that they will start selling the iPad at the end of June. I will let you know as soon as this is confirmed.

  9. Benny
    June 9th, 2010 - 15:21

    Richard, that is a good point. iStudio or TRUE.
    But maybe both, now you can get iPhone as well in iStudio.
    Wonder what’s the reason for AIS to have MicroSim cards. Are there other devices which uses them as well?
    Anyway I don’t mind it takes a bit longer for the official iPad release in Thailand so I can empty my stock ….lol
    And by the way, one thing how you can safe money on an unlimited data plan.
    Register Blackberry service which is 650/month with unlimited data plan. You need to have a Blackberry to register but you can use one of a friend for this.
    After that you can use your Sim in your iPhone for 650 Baht unlimited.
    Sure TRUE is cheaper, but well, TRUE basically only works in Bangkok. If you go outside, in most place you won’t even have EDGE but GPRS. That is bad.
    I live in Rayong, TRUE only has GPRS here as well.

  10. Richard Barrow
    June 9th, 2010 - 17:10

    @Benny, who do you register Blackberry with? Is it AIS or DTAC?

  11. Benny
    June 9th, 2010 - 21:27

    Richard, I use AIS.
    I was using Blackberry before and then switched to an iPhone about 6 months ago. My iPhone could connect to the internet instantly with my Blackberry data plan. Thus I didn’t say anything to AIS but was of course bit concerned that a huge bull might come up. But nothing and till now they still charge me 650 Baht per month for BlackBerry Service with unlimited internet and I use my iPhone quite a lot per month, sometimes 500-800MB data usage.

    I then learnt that people I know which also used Blackberry before did the same thing and they all use their Blackberry data plan with the iPhone.

  12. Michael
    June 21st, 2010 - 05:30

    The Apple Site says that the micoSIM card used for the iPad will not be compatable with the new iPhone 4.

  14. Jerry
    June 21st, 2010 - 20:08

    I can confirm that you can use your present SIM card for True with the unlimited data plan and then cut it up to fit in the iPad 3G. Works fine if not better. No need to buy the more expensive data plan from True.

  15. JJ James
    July 15th, 2010 - 04:58

    If i buy an iPhone 4 from America can i unlock it in Thailand?

  16. Richard Barrow
    July 15th, 2010 - 23:45

    Yes you can unlock at MBK. However, you will have a problem everytime there is a software upgrade as it will lock your phone again. Has version 4 been jailbroken yet?

  17. Stephen
    July 29th, 2010 - 03:43

    IOS4 has been jailbroken/unlocked for iphone 3g/3gs using a program called UltraSn0w. See here for directions: http://www.redmondpie.com/unlock-ios-4.0-with-ultrasn0w-0.93-how-to-guide/

    So far only 2 hackers have been able to jailbreak/unlock the iphone 4, and there is currently no program available to jailbreak and/or unlock it (although they are working on a program and it should be released very shortly). Therefore, Richard, are you sure the guys at MBK are unlocking iphone 4′s? I know they are unlocking all other iphones, but imo, I doubt they are able to unlock the iphone 4… yet.

  18. jonahan Tidball
    September 3rd, 2010 - 19:25

    anyone know where i can get a prepaid micro sim in bangkok?

  19. Richard Barrow
    September 3rd, 2010 - 20:01

    Go to a True shop or DTAC shop. Or just cut down a regular SIM! Best place to go is MBK.

  20. Utai
    September 4th, 2010 - 03:35

    Wondering ???
    If I cut my Sim to fit iPad ,can I use this cut Sim with my old iPhone 3GS ????

  21. Richard Barrow
    September 4th, 2010 - 06:47

    You can buy an adaptor so it can be the regular size again for other phones.

  22. Ubercart
    September 5th, 2010 - 21:09

    True “Unlimitted” blackberry plan, is actually capped at 1GB of 3G transfer, then you are on the Edge/GPRS network. At least that’s what one of their techs told me.

    Can someone confirm that after 1GB of transfer you get cut off 3G?

    Personally I was looking at the Unlimitted BlackBerry 899 THB plan…but after I heard this, I went elsewhere.

  23. Buddy
    September 21st, 2010 - 14:18

    Does anyone know how I can use my TrueMove iPhone address and password on an iPad in a True wifi spot? I tried using my TrueMove number (like TOT for broadband) but that didn’t work. I tried calling True to ask what it was and they said I need to get a new subscription for my iPad.

  24. Willsey
    October 19th, 2010 - 01:15

    I cut a normal sim down to a micro sim but the chip size’s are not the same. so beware and double check the size before you do it. it has to be a perfect fit to get into an iphone 4 and i found out the hard way.
    When i come to Thailand i think i wil go for a true move sim card.
    Here are the Tariffs they offer.

    http://iphone.mythailandblog.com/2010/03/new-price-plans-for-truemove-iphone/

  25. Richard Barrow
    October 21st, 2010 - 09:21

    Willsey – I bought a 99 baht regular SIM at MBK (next to BTS National Stadium Station) and they had a device (that looks like a stapler) that cut it down to MicroSIM size in a second.

    Price of planse with TrueMove here: http://www.truemove.com/iphone/en/price.html

  26. Willsey
    December 2nd, 2010 - 17:12

    Ok Cheers Richard. i will look into it later this month


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On this blog I will be sharing with you tips and methods of using an iPhone and iPad in Thailand. I am not pretending to be an expert, but I hope that from my personal experience of using an iPhone for my work and pleasure you might gain some knowledge. As well as reviewing apps that I use, I will also post about accessories and also the latest news from around the world.

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