Thailand's infocomm strategy: Need to bite the bullet

Leadership woes to protecting vested interests cited for 3G and WIMAX delays

by Ek Heng, Asia-Pacific Correspondent

Tues. July 7, 2009 Local telcos gearing to introduce new services will have to review their plans as Thailand is yet again delaying the tender for 3G licences until next year. A local English daily, Bangkok Post, reported that the local regulator has confirmed putting off the 3G spectrum allocation to Q1 2010 which means new services are ready to be launched only by the later part of next year.

At different times, industry players have expressed concerns over the foot-dragging which is a significant development in ........

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it was all very exciting when EDGE started to appear amongst the normal GPRS - but that enthusiasm dimmed when it was realised that it would not end up being ubiquitous and the actual amount of slots available crowded out most speed increases.

don't really expect the HSDA revolution to turn out much better here

it was all very exciting when EDGE started to appear amongst the normal GPRS - but that enthusiasm dimmed when it was realised that it would not end up being ubiquitous and the actual amount of slots available crowded out most speed increases.

don't really expect the HSDA revolution to turn out much better here

Dunno - EDGE is working pretty well, all in all. 3G is the same - in Europe you can get 1Mbit or 1.5Mbit (friend just got that measuring tethering on a 3GS iPhone).

It can't replace wired network connections but it has its place.

As for Thailand's ICT quagmire - this has gone on for years, and might very well go on for another few years. Good analysis in the article - unless somebody emerges who can blow away the entrenched interests, we are going to be in the status quo. I think they should just end the concessions, period. That 2G concession income is stopping 3G is ridiculous.

And there's always CAT's EV-DO for those who live out of BKK....