CAT cuts int'l internet gateway fees

BANGKOK: -- CAT Telecom is cutting the fees for its international Internet gateway service from today in an effort to maintain its IIG customer base amid bruising competition from private telecom operators.

The rates will come down by between 10 per cent and 60 per cent.

CAT expects to post broadband service revenue of Bt7.2 billion this year, versus the target of Bt8 billion, due to the economic downturn. The service generated only Bt6 billion during the first 10 months of the year, he said.

He added that CAT targeted higher broadband revenue of Bt7.5 billion next year. Broadband accounts for half of its income, while the rest is from the overseas call service.

Its broadband business comprises two main services: IIG and leased lines, which brought in Bt5 billion during the first 10 months of the year; and broadband Internet service, which generated revenue of Bt1.2 billion. Both services tap corporate customers.

Sompol added that CAT's broadband business development would have many highlights next year, including the joint exploration of WiMax wireless broadband technology with MCOT.

CAT will sign an agreement with MCOT soon on the plan to jointly offer TV and video programmes on a trial basis via WiMax, using MCOT's 2.6GHz spectrum. They are expected to conduct a trial in the first quarter of next year.

MCOT has already asked the NTC if it can air programmes on the spectrum. The regulator has yet to grant WiMax licences to any party.

CAT plans to invest about Bt500 million on commercial development once it clinches a WiMax licence, Sompol said.

It will also begin to develop the FTTX (fibre-to-the-x) project at a cost of Bt6 billion, hoping to make it a major new revenue source.

The service will provide broadband Internet and multimedia content via a fibre-optic network connected directly to homes and other buildings. CAT's service will initially focus on greater Bangkok.

TOT has also developed an FTTX service, which will make its debut in Phuket this Sunday.

-- The Nation 2009-12-16

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

This must be because of the availability of the AAG.

Here is that news item:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Thailand-Con...th-t322310.html

Good news we hope.

Here is that news item:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Thailand-Con...th-t322310.html

Good news we hope.

One wonders what/if/when FTTX will be deployed? Expect it is a "backbone wireless infrastructure" network. Expect FTTH/C/B/curb (home/basement) is not on the cards for CAT..given the state of the "last mile" copper hanging from poles....Only Fibre we can ever expect at our house will be Weetbix

Edited December 17, 200916 yr by David006

Here is that news item:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Thailand-Con...th-t322310.html

Good news we hope.

It's amazing the above didn't make it into the internet forum....

Here is that news item:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Thailand-Con...th-t322310.html

Good news we hope.

One wonders what/if/when FTTX will be deployed? Expect it is a "backbone wireless infrastructure" network. Expect FTTH/C/B/curb (home/basement) is not on the cards for CAT..given the state of the "last mile" copper hanging from poles....Only Fibre we can ever expect at our house will be Weetbix

Loved the fibre crack.