Thai Mobile Operators Ordered To Charge Single Rate

[webfact]

Mobile operators ordered to charge single rate

By TELECOM REPORTERS

THE NATION

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) on Wednesday ordered all mobile-phone operators July 14 not to charge different rates for calls within ("on-net") and outside ("off-net") their own networks.

BANGKOK: -- The order will take effect once the operators receive the letter from the NTC, expected to be next week. They will not be able to launch new on-net rate campaigns after the order is received. The NTC will issue another order later to inform the mobile-phone operators when they have to end their existing on-net campaigns.

Mobile-phone operators have launched on-net rate promotions featuring lower call charges than the off-net rate, to encourage their users to make calls within their own providers' networks. This is to avoid paying the large interconnection fee between different networks.

NTC regulations require the caller's network to pay the interconnection fee to the network of the call recipient. The more an operator's subscribers call different networks, the more it has to pay in interconnection fees.

Thana Thienachariya, head of corporate affairs and strategy for Total Access Communication, said DTAC would comply with the order, adding that this would affect consumers and not the company. Currently 80 per cent of its more than 20 million mobile phone subscribers are on the on-net rate.

Somchai Lertsutiwong, executive vice president for marketing of Advanced Info Service, said AIS had yet to receive the NTC order and would thoroughly study it. AIS has already prepared to cope with the order.

Somchai said the company would avoid impacting subscribers. It might seek a median rate between the on-net and off-net rates. For an example, if the on-net rate is 50 satang per minute and the off-net rate Bt1.50, AIS might charge Bt1 per minute for all calls to all networks.

-- The Nation 2010-07-17

[FarangKenStine]

BeST NeWS eVAh!

[yesdavy]

BeST NeWS eVAh!

I suppose Lenin, Stalin, and Mao would agree with you.

[alant]

does this mean your old contract is torn up?

[Donnyboy]

probably

[sedeflonga]

not sure whether this really good, users who call their own network get charged more by median cost plan.

Its just the same, but now you can not choose.

[fraksken]

@Alant: No, you (normally) stay on the same rates, unless you request to change the contract. This should normally be possible since they will probably have t change their user terms.

Edited July 17, 2010 by fraksken

[jayjay0]

Will this affect me I just buy minutes?

I really am tech challenged.

[hjvdhoef]

<br> @Alant: No, you (normally) stay on the same rates, unless you request to change the contract. This should normally be possible since they will probably have t change their user terms. <br>

<br><br>The government  use the same policy then in laos,but they don't have a democratic government.They are communist and then I understand it.<img src="http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif" alt="" class="bbc_emoticon">

[zakk9]

For the consumers, this is mostly good news. Most of the time, you don't know if the person you call is on the same net or not (many of the prefixes, like 081, are shared by the operators). Buyers who think they get a good deal with contracts like one2call, often pay a higher average rate than they would on a standard contract with equal prices for all nets. Different rates off and on net always protect the bigger players, and typically, AIS with one2call has been the primary exponent of this system, the same way the oppose keeping ones mobile number when changing operator.

[jfchandler]

It might help if you actually read the article above...

It does say, the govt plans to issue an order telling the carriers when they have to halt their existing on-network promotions...

So I wouldn't expect to hold onto those for very long....assuming the govt.'s order stands.

@Alant: No, you (normally) stay on the same rates, unless you request to change the contract. This should normally be possible since they will probably have t change their user terms.

[TheBarbarian]

GFThai authorities are so incompetent that we would almost give them compliments for implementing a strategy that gives al people internet. The truth is that the strategy that was put in place under Thaksin has been cancelled by crooked military leaders who probably found that they themselves needed the money instead of TOT. So after Thailand has lost many valuable years they are going to TALK about how to implement the old strategy dressed up as new. In the meantime the speeds outside the country have been cut in half. And what good is an internet connection when you can only get a decent speeds accessing websites based in the country (And which ae of course subject to meddling by the censors).

Where Cambodia has been using 3G the Thai children are still discussing it. Imagine after all that another party not related to the ruling elite will make a bug out of it. That can not be tolerated.

[jfchandler]

One thing that isn't mentioned or explained in the article, of course, is what business is this subject for the government to begin issuing directives like this?

As long as the concessionaires pay their fees and abide by the terms of their contracts, I would think it ought to be up to them how best to market and price their services... I can't imagine their contracts rule out in network pricing promotions.

Perhaps the govt. gets some particular cut of the interconnection fees, and doesn't like the carriers doing promotions that encourage customers to say within their own carrier's network and not call outside.

[zakk9]

One thing that isn't mentioned or explained in the article, of course, is what business is this subject for the government to begin issuing directives like this?

As long as the concessionaires pay their fees and abide by the terms of their contracts, ...

It's very simple: This is now one of the terms of their contract.

It's surprising to see how many posters on this thread are more in favour of protecting the profits of the operators rather than the economy of the users. The telecommunications market has always been regulated, a necessity due to the large investments and the danger of creating monopoly like situations. Most real capitalists prefer to have a monopoly, which in most ways equals communism, unless you believe the old "competition is good" joke that capitalists use to tell media when they want to their halo to shine brighter.

[asean]

One thing that isn't mentioned or explained in the article, of course, is what business is this subject for the government to begin issuing directives like this?

As long as the concessionaires pay their fees and abide by the terms of their contracts, ...

It's very simple: This is now one of the terms of their contract.

It's surprising to see how many posters on this thread are more in favour of protecting the profits of the operators rather than the economy of the users. The telecommunications market has always been regulated, a necessity due to the large investments and the danger of creating monopoly like situations. Most real capitalists prefer to have a monopoly, which in most ways equals communism, unless you believe the old "competition is good" joke that capitalists use to tell media when they want to their halo to shine brighter.

[jfchandler]

This below is a nifty post on political theory... But what it has to do with mobile phone practices, I'm really searching here...

If the concessionaires had a "contract," I'd assume the govt can't just change it willy-nilly midstream.

And contracts aside, I'm not sure that banning in-network mobile phone pricing promotions is somehow detrimental to the avg Thai user... I have a lot of Thai friends who take advantage of those lower in-network rates, and get their friends and family members whom they call to join the same network whichever one it may be, in order to benefit from those reduced rates.

By banning such pricing and those discounts, it's going to mean higher prices for a lot of Thai users... not just lower prices. And perhaps that's the point, since the government, now wildly searching to bolster its revenues, sees an opportunity here to increase its incoming cash flow.

It's very simple: This is now one of the terms of their contract.

It's surprising to see how many posters on this thread are more in favour of protecting the profits of the operators rather than the economy of the users. The telecommunications market has always been regulated, a necessity due to the large investments and the danger of creating monopoly like situations. Most real capitalists prefer to have a monopoly, which in most ways equals communism, unless you believe the old "competition is good" joke that capitalists use to tell media when they want to their halo to shine brighter.

[asean]

when are the going to give the directive to allow customers to port their numbers to another operator. that tends to do wonders for pricing and competition.

[Alwaysright]

One thing that isn't mentioned or explained in the article, of course, is what business is this subject for the government to begin issuing directives like this?

As long as the concessionaires pay their fees and abide by the terms of their contracts, I would think it ought to be up to them how best to market and price their services... I can't imagine their contracts rule out in network pricing promotions.

Perhaps the govt. gets some particular cut of the interconnection fees, and doesn't like the carriers doing promotions that encourage customers to say within their own carrier's network and not call outside.

Loss of tax money$$$$?

[Pib]

BeST NeWS eVAh!

I suppose Lenin, Stalin, and Mao would agree with you.

Thai govt is getting good in perfecting the art of price controls, especially when it affects the fees/taxes they receive on a serivce/product.

Edited July 17, 2010 by Pib

[marc651]

GFThai authorities are so incompetent that we would almost give them compliments for implementing a strategy that gives al people internet. The truth is that the strategy that was put in place under Thaksin has been cancelled by crooked military leaders who probably found that they themselves needed the money instead of TOT. So after Thailand has lost many valuable years they are going to TALK about how to implement the old strategy dressed up as new. In the meantime the speeds outside the country have been cut in half. And what good is an internet connection when you can only get a decent speeds accessing websites based in the country (And which ae of course subject to meddling by the censors).

Where Cambodia has been using 3G the Thai children are still discussing it. Imagine after all that another party not related to the ruling elite will make a bug out of it. That can not be tolerated.

You complain about incompetence. How competent is your own analysis? It seems you think this is about internet access. Wel it isn't. It is about SPEECH. about PHONEcalls from one network to the other (AIS to DTAC for example)= off net, or within let's say DTAC = onnet. So the word "net" being there has nothing to do with internet. This is not about 3g and internet connectivity which is another topic.

And next to misunderstanding the topic, dragging Taksin into this "the honest man who was going to provide thailand with cheap fast interent but then the military spoiled it" is rubbish. Finally your statement on " 3g in Cambodia" being lightyears ahead, well could show me where you can actually use 3g in Cambodia please? Nowhere, except in Pnom Penn and a few other city centers if you are lucky it works the day you need it.

[TPI]

GFThai authorities are so incompetent that we would almost give them compliments for implementing a strategy that gives al people internet. The truth is that the strategy that was put in place under Thaksin has been cancelled by crooked military leaders who probably found that they themselves needed the money instead of TOT. So after Thailand has lost many valuable years they are going to TALK about how to implement the old strategy dressed up as new. In the meantime the speeds outside the country have been cut in half. And what good is an internet connection when you can only get a decent speeds accessing websites based in the country (And which ae of course subject to meddling by the censors).

Where Cambodia has been using 3G the Thai children are still discussing it. Imagine after all that another party not related to the ruling elite will make a bug out of it. That can not be tolerated.

Say what? did you mean "buck"?

[NCFC]

So whatever happened to competition and free market which in every other country works where state marxism has failed?

Another step on the road to the failed state where you WILL obey your masters.

[agudbuk]

If they just withdraw the on net call charges this will mean the phone companies end up with bigger profits, higher rates to the consumer and will especially benefit the company with the largest customer base. No benefit to the consumer unless they out their off net prices.

[animatic]

Noi more price wars, they will all charge the highest possible price together...

That's called a monopoly in most normal countries, or regulation, depending on who profits most.

[johwel]

Phew! No more decisions over which subscription plan will be the most economical.

[jayjay0]

GFThai authorities are so incompetent that we would almost give them compliments for implementing a strategy that gives al people internet. The truth is that the strategy that was put in place under Thaksin has been cancelled by crooked military leaders who probably found that they themselves needed the money instead of TOT. So after Thailand has lost many valuable years they are going to TALK about how to implement the old strategy dressed up as new. In the meantime the speeds outside the country have been cut in half. And what good is an internet connection when you can only get a decent speeds accessing websites based in the country (And which ae of course subject to meddling by the censors).

Where Cambodia has been using 3G the Thai children are still discussing it. Imagine after all that another party not related to the ruling elite will make a bug out of it. That can not be tolerated.

You complain about incompetence. How competent is your own analysis? It seems you think this is about internet access. Wel it isn't. It is about SPEECH. about PHONEcalls from one network to the other (AIS to DTAC for example)= off net, or within let's say DTAC = onnet. So the word "net" being there has nothing to do with internet. This is not about 3g and internet connectivity which is another topic.

And next to misunderstanding the topic, dragging Taksin into this "the honest man who was going to provide thailand with cheap fast interent but then the military spoiled it" is rubbish. Finally your statement on " 3g in Cambodia" being lightyears ahead, well could show me where you can actually use 3g in Cambodia please? Nowhere, except in Pnom Penn and a few other city centers if you are lucky it works the day you need it.

The Barbarian dosent miss a chance to praise Thaksin. My guess is he was at the trough when Thaksin was thrown out and is unable to make a honest living so he is trying to bring his Patron back.

[cedel]

I suppose and hope 12Call (AIS) will still propose the "Mao Mao" promotion...!! 200 min to any networks :same rate of 0.75 bath = 75 satang per minute, for 150 baht, to use in 20 days . It was even cheaper than DTAC 1 baht/min all networks...

[overhaul38]

BeST NeWS eVAh!

I suppose Lenin, Stalin, and Mao would agree with you.

Maybe Glen Beck can verify their position for sure.