TOT 3G Launches Today

[webfact]

TOT 3G launches today

By USANEE MONGKOLPORN

THE NATION

Published on December 3, 2009

TOT will launch its 3G wireless broadband service today, despite a lack of readiness on many fronts.

TOT has yet to finalise the wholesale and discount prices of the 3G network in greater Bangkok that it will lease to the five firms it has selected to provide the service on a mobile virtual network basis (MVNO).

The TOT board yesterday concluded only that Samart I-Mobile (SIM) and Loxley would debut the service today as MVNOs, while TOT itself would also launch the service on its own.

An MVNO is a company that does not have its own network and needs to lease a network or airtime from another party.

TOT has selected SIM, Loxley, 365 Communication, IEC and M Consultant to launch 3G as MVNOs.

SIM has aimed high in the 3G-2.1GHz wireless broadband business by targeting about 200,000 customers within one year.

Watchai Vilailuck, president of Samart Corp - the parent of SIM - said SIM had already spent Bt50 million on the marketing campaign for its I-Mobile 3G X service, which targets 20,000 customers within the first month, rising to 200,000 within a year.

A Samart source said SIM would offer four monthly airtime packages to woo 3G users - Bt199, Bt299, Bt599 and Bt799. While the source declined to provide full details, he said those using the Bt199 package could make 199 minutes of calls and 199 megabytes of video calls. Voice calls in excess of this number will cost 50 satang per minute and video calls 20 satang per MB.

Watchai said the service targeted a monthly average revenue per user of Bt200. He added that next year the 3G service would account for 10 per cent of SIM's revenue.

SIM will focus on offering video calls, video chat and music download applications to woo prospect 3G customers.

On Tuesday, Loxley said that it is partnering UK-based Mobile Partners Group (MPG) to provide the 3G service on TOT's network. Loxley needed MPG's MVNO experience to back up its service offering.

-- The Nation 2009/12/3

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[spacemunk]

now just to wait for the proper packages and pricings and which parts of thailands the network is available in.

if the prices are really good , you can finally say goodbye to gprs.

[Crushdepth]

So are they launching more plans to have a 3G service? Or can we somehow actually subscribe to this now? Does TOT actually own the equipment to do this yet?

[tomloughney]

I thought they needed to Auction off the bands which was delayed again????

[Crushdepth]

Maybe TOT has approval and some equipment already:

Thailand's TOT Operator Plans 3G Network Rollout

But everyone else is screwed - unless they offer service via TOT's network (the great Thai Monopoloy at work ?):

Further delay to 3G licenses in Thailand (27 November)

Thai 3G auction may be delayed to Q2 2010 (26 November)

[virtualtraveller]

Now it all becomes clear, the delays to auctioning 3G licences for everyone else is simply a ruse to give TOT a head start with this, typical Thailand monopolistic business model. I've seen this coming for some months now.

My guess is that within 6 months it will all be so over subscribed that you'll never have a chance to download even 100mb of data a month, does that mean they'll sell 99 baht packages?

[gotlost]

If TOT 3G is as reliable as their 2G it will fail.

[Igor]

Didn't the gov announce last week they were putting everything on hold while they figured out if the frequency auctions were sufficiently profitable - uh - handled properly?

[nikster]

Didn't the gov announce last week they were putting everything on hold while they figured out if the frequency auctions were sufficiently profitable - uh - handled properly?

The endless delaying tactics were always, for the most part, due to "concerns" amongst TOT and CAT about their ability to extract enormous concessions fees from AIS, True, and others. For 2G, historically, everyone has to pay concession fees. It's a lot of money. So with 3G, nobody could find a reason to charge private companies those fees. No money, no honey.

Now it seems like the new strategy is to allow both lumbering state companies to roll out their own 3G services before anyone else is allowed.

I'd be interested if and how this works nation-wide. Even if they have 3G in BKK, they'll need to offer at least calling (2G) in the rest of the country. A phone that only works in BKK isn't all that useful, I'd think. Or maybe they'll leave it to the MVNO to lease 2G in other places? But who'd lease their network to them?

Would also be interesting which technology and frequency they use. I guess TOT bought a small operator with 3G compatible spectrum licenses a few years ago, so they'll use that (ThaiMobile?)....

[Leigh1979]

Blackberry Supply a 3G Network throughout Thailand, 650 Baht Monthly Unlimited Use / Download/ with Other Packages Available. I use it on a Blackberry Storm Since 5 Months ago from Down South to the North have never been with out service.

[Crushdepth]

According to a government statement a couple of weeks ago, their idea of handling it properly is to limit the number of licenses to something pitiful like "2" (really), so that they can encourage a bidding war and extract the highest possible licensing fees. Of course fewer licenses and higher license fees = less competition and higher call costs for consumers and Thai businesses.

Meanwhile, Thailand is the ONLY country in ASEAN that doesn't have 3G running or at least underway. Personally I think the endless delays, confusion and uncertainty are the classic hallmarks of a stitch up.

[george]

Blackberry Supply a 3G Network throughout Thailand, 650 Baht Monthly Unlimited Use / Download/ with Other Packages Available. I use it on a Blackberry Storm Since 5 Months ago from Down South to the North have never been with out service.

Thats GPRS/EDGE, not 3G

[Pomthai]

Blackberry Supply a 3G Network throughout Thailand, 650 Baht Monthly Unlimited Use / Download/ with Other Packages Available. I use it on a Blackberry Storm Since 5 Months ago from Down South to the North have never been with out service.

Its not 3G it is either GPRS or EDGE.

[infernalman7]

TOT 3G wouldn't be so bad. At least outside of their coverage all the MVNOs will roam to AIS 2G networks. The pricing is also very very good.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1015019

The sad part is that the delay of the 3G auction process is simply because the sole shareholder of TOT and CAT which is the Ministry of ICT is being a bitch and said the auction will put the state enterprise at the disadvantage while they are already holding the spectrum. Yes, they want to monopolize the market first before all other carriers can even import equipment for their 3G networks.

Edited December 3, 2009 by infernalman7

[CWMcMurray]

Ummmm, so what is 3G ot 2G or GPRS or EDGE ????

In layman's terms.... how would it benefit me... What type of better service would I receive and what could I do differently than I am doing now???

[SmartFarang]

It's all about speed.

In layman's terms 2G GPRS internet is so slow it is almost unusable.

2G GPRS with EDGE is slightly faster. Can be OK just for sending and receiving emails, but for internet browsing and file up/down loading is still slow.

3G is a totally new HSDPA tecnology that is much faster and the old terms such as GPRS and EDGE do not apply. It is possible to hold telephone conversations with video, view streaming movies, play games online, use live mapping tools, etc., etc..

Many countries are now rolling out 3.5G and planning implementation of 4G.

The higher the "G" the more speed is available, with associated increase in available functions.

Any phone without at least 3G will be useless anywhere very soon, so don't buy one if it does not offer at least 3G preferably 3.5G.

Ummmm, so what is 3G ot 2G or GPRS or EDGE ????

In layman's terms.... how would it benefit me... What type of better service would I receive and what could I do differently than I am doing now???

Edited December 3, 2009 by SmartFarang

[Crushdepth]

Skype video calls work very nicely over 3G, I was talking to someone connected via their mobile in Singapore recently. Call quality was great and no noticeable lag in the conversation.

[SmartFarang]

Yes, I can report same. Also true in London, Hong Kong, and Manila.

Skype video calls work very nicely over 3G, I was talking to someone connected via their mobile in Singapore recently. Call quality was great and no noticeable lag in the conversation.

Edited December 3, 2009 by SmartFarang

[CWMcMurray]

So is it just for mobile phones? Or does it also improve internet service in my home?

[sillyfools]

I've been using 3G for 4 months now in BKK with speeds averaging between 2-5Mbps via True.

To clear up some of the confusion. 3G HAS been in BKK for some time now via True on their current frequencies. That's also how AIS runs their 3G in CMX.

Officially 3G is free for now as it is in a testing phase. the delay in the auction is for the higher end frequencies which really will allow great speeds and better availability everywhere. As soon as those are auctioned we'll see 'commercial' launches but indeed... it has been a stalling mechanism to allow snail-paced TOT to get some things ready before it is rendered obsolete.

With their sloppy adsl network, I wonder how their 3G service will be. Hopefully their partners will be able to connect it to their own backbone so at least there are some decent network engineers who will look at problems instead of the 'we don't have email for support service at tot' explanations.

Let the expansion begin so it finally reaches across the river. Another good area is Salaya near the University which has excellent 3G coverage by True. The area around Sanam Pao-Ari is flaky though. I hope they would fix that one.

[CWMcMurray]

Still unclear on what 3G is? From the above discussions it sounds like it is wireless interen???

For example, I use True and it comes in through my phone line, can this be 3G or does it need to be wireless to be 3G.

Or am I completely srewed up and it has nothing at all to do with wireless or phone lines and is just refering to the speed. For example my current internet package with true is 1 mb, so this means it is 1G??? if my internet speed is 3 mb does that means it is 3G???

[CWMcMurray]

Or does the G stand for "Generation"? and just mean that this is the third "Generation" of hardware (i.e. wires, atenas, servers all all the other equipment that make the internet possible).

And does it just mean if you use this "Third generation" of hardware, all of the internet and cell phones conented through this network will authomatically work faster?

If this is the case, do I have to do anything or when true become 3G will my interent just be faster without me having to do anything on my end???

[ballbreaker]

Or does the G stand for "Generation"? and just mean that this is the third "Generation" of hardware (i.e. wires, atenas, servers all all the other equipment that make the internet possible).

And does it just mean if you use this "Third generation" of hardware, all of the internet and cell phones conented through this network will authomatically work faster?

If this is the case, do I have to do anything or when true become 3G will my interent just be faster without me having to do anything on my end???

3G is third generation of GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) or in very simple terms it provides improved data performance for cell phone network and cell phones.  Its has nothing to do with internet network other than giving you higher connect speed via your 3G mobile phone.

Edited December 3, 2009 by ballbreaker

[tenhoursaway]

Or does the G stand for "Generation"? and just mean that this is the third "Generation" of hardware (i.e. wires, atenas, servers all all the other equipment that make the internet possible).

And does it just mean if you use this "Third generation" of hardware, all of the internet and cell phones conented through this network will authomatically work faster?

If this is the case, do I have to do anything or when true become 3G will my interent just be faster without me having to do anything on my end???

Those are good questions, I will hopefully be able to explain that - in simple terms - in one post.

Yes, G means Generation

2G better known as GSM was the first globally standardized digital voice network. Rural cells might reach 20km if I remember right. Frequencies are in two different bands: 900/1800 MHz or 850/1900MHz in US.

You have been able to make voice calls, and consume CS (carrier switched) point to point data services - data services have been very slow, but reliable, since a permanent connection was necessary. 9.6kbit/s at the beginning.

2.5 G is known as GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) or EDGE (= Enhanced Datarate for GSM Evolution)

Those services are packet oriented.

With (normal) GPRS 20kbit/s per timeslot was possible

With EDGE a theoretical maximum of 473.6 kbit/s for 8 timeslots is possible per carrier, (59.2kbit/s per slot)

However it depends on you mobile phone company how many slots will be assigned to one user for up and download (max 8 in total)

3 G means UMTS - the frequencies are slightly higher, about 2GHz. (Nearby the frequency of a mirowave oven)

Due to the higher frequency and the lower power of the devices, the span of a 3G radio cell is some hundred meter up to 2km.

That means, the complete radio network of the cellphone company, needs a overlay network, and depending on the brand of core equipment they use most likely an overlay core network too.

Those started with 384kbit/s in the architecture of 1999 for packet services, carrier switched services are also back with 64kbit/s means ISDN speed, as some of you might know rom Europe.

3.5 G - means HSDPA a newer protocol based on 3G network. Speeds are possible between 1.8Mbit/s and 14Mbit/s (like in Germany).

For all that technologies you need the specified hardware. A 3Gphone can usually deal with 2G networks too, but a 2G cellphone will never ever be able to connect to a 3 or 3.5 G network.

all above are cellphone technologies.

Hope that clarifies....

...if not - ask!

[mythBuster]

now just to wait for the proper packages and pricings and which parts of thailands the network is available in.

if the prices are really good , you can finally say goodbye to gprs.

But why should you bother to subscribe to companies without an own network? Just to complicate matters? Eg. just like with CDMA from CAT and Hutchinson, where you are able to use roaming when it comes to phone calls but where the little children have not been able to find a way to offer roaming for Data customers.

TOT only supplies the network in certain areas, SAMART is a terrible company, Loxely has numerous ties with the military and are sabotaged in other areas and so on.

Better wait for AIS or DTAC than you stand a chance. True is an outsider with terrible service and reputation too. Furthermore it has to be seen if 3G will ever work in Thailand, there is still infighting in the political arena, they are so afraid of Temasek that they do not realize that Cambodia is centuries in front of Thailand when it comes to 3G. The mentioned amounts do not make sense either. You cannot get a decent network or data transfer for a few hundred baht a month, it means that you are subjected to the same throttling that TOT is imposing on their fixed line internet customers. Overselling their bandwidth a hundred plus times.

[LTGTR]

"TOT will launch its 3G wireless broadband service today, despite a lack of readiness on many fronts".

Typical Thailand.

What century is it anyway?3G?

[george]

Update:

TOT to press ahead with new, nationwide 3G network

BANGKOK: -- Information and Communications Technology Minister Ranongruk Suwanchawee yesterday reaffirmed that TOT would move ahead with the plan to roll out a new nationwide 3G-2.1GHz network to better serve customers.

She made the remark during TOT's debut of the first 3G-2.1GHz wireless broadband service in Thailand, to be provided on its existing 3G network in greater Bangkok. The launch took place at CentralWorld shopping complex.

She said TOT was expected to call for international bids for its procurement of the nationwide network in April. The state agency plans to spend more than Bt20 billion on the network.

TOT's existing 3G network can serve 500,000 subscribers, a customer level which Ranongruk believes will be reached by February.

TOT yesterday launched the service under the TOT 3G brand together with one of its five of private 3G partners, Samart I-Mobile (SIM), which offers the service under the I-Mobile 3G X brand.

The other four private partners - Loxley, 365 Communication, IEC and M Consultant - will launch the service later this month.

All five companies have leased TOT's 3G network to provide the service on the mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) basis.

TOT and SIM also launched a promotional campaign, which runs until Monday, at the CentralWorld venue.

About 1,000 people flocked to CentralWorld for the launch. Some said they were interested in 3G wireless broadband technology and had been eager to try out the service.

TOT reportedly sold 200 3G SIM cards there yesterday.

TOT and SIM are offering a range of post-paid and prepaid airtime packages, including data packages, to woo customers.

For example, TOT's monthly post-paid packages range from Bt199 to Bt699. Bt199-package users can make 199 minutes of calls, 199 minutes of video calls and use 199 megabytes of data downloads.

The state agency recently offered the 3G service to its employees and 10,000 customers of its Thai Mobile subsidiary. About 5,000 signed up for the service.

SIM has targeted 20,000 customers within the first month and 200,000 within a year. It is focusing on offering video calls, video chat and movie downloads.

IEC said it would offer a package featuring bulk airtime, under which up to five subscribers can share the allocated amount.

365 Communications has had about 20,000 people reserving 3G SIM cards on its homepage.

Loxley, which will run the service under the i-KooL 3G brand, aims to lure about 30,000 customers and break even within 18 months.

A TOT source said the state agency had finalised the wholesale price for the five MVNOs leasing its 3G network to provide the service. It will charge 20 satang per minute for voice, 30 satang for SMS and 35 satang per minute for video calls.

-- The Nation 2009-12-04

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[phazey]

I'd be interested if one can subscribe and buy simcards at the airport.

[nikster]

Now this whole thing is looking more and more like an outright attempt to kill AIS.

[Crushdepth]

She said TOT was expected to call for international bids for its procurement of the nationwide network in April

So its just another 'planned launch' and they haven't even got around to buying equipment yet. So assuming no further hiccups they might actually have ordered some gear by the end of 2010 and started building it in 2011? And it maybe it will work in 2012?

Excellent. We can fit a few more grand openings and launches in before then.

Edited December 4, 2009 by Crushdepth