Cabinet okays two CAT projects

BANGKOK: -- The Cabinet yesterday gave the nod to two projects from CAT Telecom worth almost Bt10 billion.

One will further expand CAT's Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) cellular network in 51 provinces at a cost of Bt3.8 billion, featuring about 500 base stations.

That project is expected to take 27 months.

The other project will develop a fibre-to-the-x (FTTx) broadband-Internet service in the greater Bangkok area for Bt6 billion.

Deputy Government Spokesman Phumin Leetheeraprasert said CAT would finance the project with its own cash.

FTTx - in which "x" represents a home, building or any other premises - involves connecting a customer with a direct fibre-optic link via a service provider to receive voice and data services.

CAT is also set to sign a deal to buy Hong Kong telecom giant Hutchison Telecom's business units in Thailand, including its CDMA network in 25 provinces, for Bt7.2 billion.

The state enterprise has already sent the purchase contract for review by the Office of the Attorney-General. The Cabinet gave the green light to the takeover early this month.

CAT will merge its CDMA network in 51 provinces with the CDMA network of Hutchison Telecom in 25 provinces, to enable it to be more efficient in providing the service.

Their joint venture, Hutchison-CAT Wireless Multimedia, markets the cellular service in 25 provinces under the Hutch brand, using a CDMA network leased from BFKT, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hutchison Telecom.

CAT has pinned its hopes on wireless and landline broadband services to be its new revenue sources.

-- The Nation 2010-04-28

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fibre optic???

it is about time we got that here.

maybe we finally get some better speeds.

although, they still have only one stupid cable out of this country which screws us all

fibre optic???

it is about time we got that here.

maybe we finally get some better speeds.

although, they still have only one stupid cable out of this country which screws us all

Don't hold your breath on fiber optic becoming widespread in Bangkok anytime soon ; but if you can hold your breath for a decade then you may be OK.