Set up 3G quickly or face losses, experts say

By Sirivish Toomgum

The Nation

An economist and a commissioner with the telecom regulator want to see full third generation wireless broadband service implemented soon to remedy lost investment opportunities from the delay in granting 3G licences on the 2.1gigahertz spectrum by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

Thanavath Phonvichai, director of the Centre for Economic and Business Forecasting of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said all state and private parties should rush to make 3G happen. He made the remark yesterday at the UTCC seminar "3G Crisis: The Change in Thai Business".

He said the delayed licensing had affected the country's competitiveness regarding the establishment of advanced infrastructure. The 3G wireless broadband technology can be used to help businesses cut costs and enable people to do online business cheaply.

Thanavath estimated that the delay meant the country could lose investment of between Bt50 billion to Bt100 billion during the next three years on the 3G infrastructure rollout, and about another Bt50 billion on 3G application development, plus about Bt30 billion on related businesses.

But the total loss during next three years could be lowered to between Bt50 billion and Bt70 billion, as the Cabinet just approved TOT's plan to spend more than Bt19 billion on the rollout of a new 3G network nationwide. If TOT can implement the plan, application development and related businesses will not be affected by the delayed 3G licensing.

The NTC had planned to auction two 3G licences this year before CAT Telecom challenged its licensing authority at the Central Administrative Court, which later issued an injunction to suspend the auction. The NTC appealed the case to the Supreme Administrative Court, which ruled in late September to uphold the lower court's injunction.

NTC commissioner Natee Sukonrat said he hoped to see the 3G licences being granted soon to enable the country to maximise the 2.1GHz spectrum and quickly expand wireless broadband accessibility to people.

The NTC has suspended plans to allocate new wireless broadband spectra, pending the conclusion of the CAT case at the Central Administrative Court. The bill governing the formation of the new National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission is being formulated.

Natee said the NTC fully supported TOT in further developing its 3G business and had supported the private telecom operators in offering 3G service on their existing spectra, which they have done.

TOT debuted the 3G network last December but its coverage is limited to Greater Bangkok.

-- The Nation 2010-11-06

Simply pay off those that are blocking the progress.

It's the Thai way.

Leave the corruption issue to those that really care and think they can do something about it.

Set up 3G quickly or face losses, experts say<BR sab="369">

As long as the title doesn't read "or lose faces" instead the 3G saga will go on and on

AMUSING Thailand.

Why even bother - it is old technology already! Look forward to 4G. Or does Thailand wish to remain in the stone age in the technology stakes?

I think the Thai govt and most telecoms really want to implement 3G ASAP; unfortunately, there are a few like he unions and executives of TOT & CAT who don't want it implemented "unless it is implemented their way with plenty of concession money still flowing in and union jobs protected." Just get the money & job things straightened out and Thailand could have 3G up and running country wide very quickly. Simple.