True widens WiFi hotspots to include Bangkok cinemas

BANGKOK: -- True Corporation has broadened its wireless high-speed Internet network to cinemas, with the debut of a hotspot at the Ratchayothin branch of the country's largest cinema chain Major Cineplex.

The network expansion to cinemas is in line with the telecommunication firm's plan to expand its Wi-Fi service to 500 hotspots this year from the existing 300 locations at department stores, restaurant chains, hotels and office buildings.

Papon Ratanachaikanont, assistant to president and CEO for True Corporation, said True will provide access to its WiFi network at all 18 branches of Major Cinema Complex, of which 14 are in Bangkok.

The company will spend between four to five million to install the Wi-Fi hotspot at the cinema complex. Owners of Wi-Fi-capable notebooks or PDAs with True or TA Orange network cards can wirelessly connect to the Internet.

Prepaid True Wi-Fi prepaid cards cost 180 baht per hour, 350 baht for three hours and 600 baht for five hours.

TOT Corporation also offers Wi-Fi services at Major Rachayothin.

''The service is to accommodate the growing demand for wireless connectivity among Bangkok residents, especially among our customers,'' Mr Papon said. The number of Internet users was expected to reach eight million by December and could top 10 million next year.

Mr Papon said True had around 250,000 broadband users, representing up to 90% of the total market of 280,000.

''We expect to have 400,000 broadband subscribers by the end of the year, out of an expected total of 450,000, fuelled by the group's innovative content services and service packages bundled with computer and notebook purchases.

Still wireless Internet service generates only 10% of the total revenue, and fixed lines remained the group's core business.

--Bangkok Post 2005-07-20

Prepaid True Wi-Fi prepaid cards cost 180 baht per hour, 350 baht for three hours and 600 baht for five hours.

I imagine in these places you would also have EDGE coverage - so maybe the pricing needs to be a bit more competitive.

nice one, people will be using Skype in the cinema aswell as their mobile phones then

Mr Papon said True had around 250,000 broadband users, representing up to 90% of the total market of 280,000.

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lets hope the dude is bragging....

if true has 250,000 customers....

their total international bandwidth is 1,750,000 kbps

their total domestic bandwidth is 3,100,000 kbps

total bandwidth 4,850,000

international bandwidth/user = 7 kbps

domestic bandwidth/user = 12.4 kbps

total bandwidth/user = 19.4 kbps (yeah the speeds does drop so low at times)

FYI dial up is 56kbps

i still dont get it in which direction are they headed???

'We expect to have 400,000 broadband subscribers by the end of the year, out of an expected total of 450,000, fuelled by the group's innovative content services and service packages bundled with computer and notebook purchases.

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more bad news for existing true customers....

EDIT >> figures from http://webcorp.asianet.co.th/eh/linkinter/linkstatus.php

Edited July 20, 200521 yr by devil_dog

So, 180 baht per hour is 3 baht per minute and that gives you an internet connection only.

Or you could go to an internet cafe where:

2 baht per minute gives you an internet connection. And a chair and desk. And a loan of a computer. And Aircon. And technical support.

Hmm.