3G Network Good To Go In 2 Months: CAT Chief

[webfact]

3G network good to go in 2 months: CAT chief

By USANEE MONGKOLPORN

THE NATION

CAT Telecom can switch on its third-generation HSPA network within two months, chief executive Jirayuth Rungsrithong said yesterday, shrugging off doubts over the deals the state enterprise made with True Corp.

CAT can start up the network service quickly as TrueMove is installing high-speed packet access (HSPA) equipment from its own network on to the code division multiple access (CDMA) network in 25 provinces of BFKT (Thailand) so that it will be HSPA-capable.

CAT will lease the HSPA network from BFKT of Real Future and wholesale capacity to reseller Real Move.

Jirayuth said Real Move and Real Future, both True Corp subsidiaries, and CAT had completed the appendices of some contracts they signed on January 27, and stressed that the appendices would benefit CAT.

The four main deals are for BFKT (Thailand) of Real Future to lease the HSPA network to CAT, for Real Move to resell the planned HSPA service, for BFKT to lease its CDMA network in 25 provinces to CAT, and for Hutchison-CAT Wireless Multimedia of Real Move to market the service on the CDMA network in 25 provinces.

On the signing date, Appendix 6 of the HSPA network lease between CAT and BFKT, regarding network capacity delivery in the first phase and the calculation of fines, was left blank. It just says the contractual parties will negotiate to finish this part as soon as possible.

Appendix 7, regarding the service-level agreement and fine calculation, was also left open.

Jirayuth said CAT was expected to gain at least Bt14 billion in revenue from reseller Real Move over the contract term of 14 years.

The deals CAT granted to the two firms raised questions about their legitimacy, including whether they have to come under the Public-Private Joint Venture Act of 1992.

Information and Communications Technology Minister Chuti Krairiksh sent a letter to the Attorney-General's Office last Friday asking for a ruling on whether the deals complied with all laws and regulations.

According to CAT, the new business would improve its EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation), which would be high enough to offset its loss of revenue when TrueMove's concession expires in 2013.

-- The Nation 2011-02-16

[Jimmy2004]

Just in time.... every other country is moving to 4g now.

[janverbeem]

In 2 months it is also April 1,

[Tywais]

It appears to be the HSPA will be on 850MHz. My HTC Desire supports HSPA on 900/2100 MHz. Wonder what the percentage of phones in Thailand support HSPA on 850MHz?

[Thai at Heart]

It appears to be the HSPA will be on 850MHz. My HTC Desire supports HSPA on 900/2100 MHz. Wonder what the percentage of phones in Thailand support HSPA on 850MHz?

Well, I guess we can probably expect to see True selling their own phones then. I seem to remember a rather successful telecoms company in Thailand using that business model about 15 years ago in Thailand who used IMIE coding to prevent access so they could charge a fortune for phones.

[hardy1943]

Just in time.... every other country is moving to 4g now.

Should add every other 3rd or 4th rate country.

[skippybangkok]

It appears to be the HSPA will be on 850MHz. My HTC Desire supports HSPA on 900/2100 MHz. Wonder what the percentage of phones in Thailand support HSPA on 850MHz?

Well, I guess we can probably expect to see True selling their own phones then. I seem to remember a rather successful telecoms company in Thailand using that business model about 15 years ago in Thailand who used IMIE coding to prevent access so they could charge a fortune for phones.

iPhone is 850 compliant as are many many other phones. I believe 900 Mhz for 3G is the band for which there is little to know hand sets available, and requires custom made ($$) hand sets. Telstra has implemented 850 very successfully too which has further reach than 2100 Mhz.

[laurentbkk]

3G ? when some neighboring countries already work on 4G ..we know things are a bit slow here but that is a joke.

[Deeral]

In 2 months it is also April 1,

This whole affair is surrounded and besmirched by skullduggery.

Firstly the competent foreign competition is removed and then more "friendly" ones come in and save the day.

This process seems to have little to do with quality of service and competitive pricing but more to do with who knows who.

Where do AIS and Dtac fit into all this?

it is interesting - or coincidence? - that True alone started to offer 3G in Pattaya a few months back, whereas AIS were stopping their mobile phone 3G service as they had no idea if they would have a contract in the future.

Wasn't there another government in Thailand that had a scandal involving telecommunications services????

...and sadly at the end of the day, previous experience would indicate that any service offered will be poorly run, unreliable and totally un-customer orientated

Edited February 16, 2011 by Deeral

[LivinLOS]

It appears to be the HSPA will be on 850MHz. My HTC Desire supports HSPA on 900/2100 MHz. Wonder what the percentage of phones in Thailand support HSPA on 850MHz?

Same.. Happily using AIS 3G in CM but I am using it on a 900 / 2100 phone..

[Thai at Heart]

It appears to be the HSPA will be on 850MHz. My HTC Desire supports HSPA on 900/2100 MHz. Wonder what the percentage of phones in Thailand support HSPA on 850MHz?

Well, I guess we can probably expect to see True selling their own phones then. I seem to remember a rather successful telecoms company in Thailand using that business model about 15 years ago in Thailand who used IMIE coding to prevent access so they could charge a fortune for phones.

iPhone is 850 compliant as are many many other phones. I believe 900 Mhz for 3G is the band for which there is little to no hand sets available, and requires custom made ($$) hand sets. Telstra has implemented 850 very successfully too which has further reach than 2100 Mhz.

Seems my Nokia E72 won't get on it. 900 is the lowest

[richard10365]

It appears to be the HSPA will be on 850MHz. My HTC Desire supports HSPA on 900/2100 MHz. Wonder what the percentage of phones in Thailand support HSPA on 850MHz?

I must have missed where it said 850Mhz. Was it implied by some part of the article?

[animatic]

In 2 months it is also April 1,

This whole affair is surrounded and besmirched by skullduggery.

Firstly the competent foreign competition is removed and then more "friendly" ones come in and save the day.

This process seems to have little to do with quality of service and competitive pricing but more to do with who knows who.

Where do AIS and Dtac fit into all this?

it is interesting - or coincidence? - that True alone started to offer 3G in Pattaya a few months back, whereas AIS were stopping their mobile phone 3G service as they had no idea if they would have a contract in the future.

Wasn't there another government in Thailand that had a scandal involving telecommunications services????

...and sadly at the end of the day, previous experience would indicate that any service offered will be poorly run, unreliable and totally un-customer orientated

A continuation of the same scandal, irrespective of government.

If the piece of pie is large enough, as it is here, no a mount of reasonable though and fairness will over ride the greed wagon at full steam.

2 months... I'll believe that when I see it.

Edited February 16, 2011 by animatic

[Jezz]

Could some expert telecom/IT person explain in lay terms what, if any, affect all this will have on me currently using CAT CDMA as my only internet service provider?

[prism]

On the CDMA network? Means most of the phones in Thailand won't work on it since they're on the GSM network. Am I wrong??

[colinthailand20005]

In 2 months it is also April 1,

This whole affair is surrounded and besmirched by skullduggery.

Firstly the competent foreign competition is removed and then more "friendly" ones come in and save the day.

This process seems to have little to do with quality of service and competitive pricing but more to do with who knows who.

Where do AIS and Dtac fit into all this?

it is interesting - or coincidence? - that True alone started to offer 3G in Pattaya a few months back, whereas AIS were stopping their mobile phone 3G service as they had no idea if they would have a contract in the future.

Wasn't there another government in Thailand that had a scandal involving telecommunications services????

...and sadly at the end of the day, previous experience would indicate that any service offered will be poorly run, unreliable and totally un-customer orientated

True has been in Pattaya for at least 1 year, I have used it their my self, the service is a bit scatty, but normally I can get a signal.

[colinthailand20005]

True 3G

[NanLaew]

It appears to be the HSPA will be on 850MHz. My HTC Desire supports HSPA on 900/2100 MHz. Wonder what the percentage of phones in Thailand support HSPA on 850MHz?

LOL.... just like democracy 'Thai-style' is a flawed and fundamentally corrupt concept, it would appear that 3G will also be a similarly flawed and fundamentally corrupt 'Thai-style' abomination with only vested interests making money. Anyone hoping to independently leverage their investments in smart phone technology will be taking a big dry one up the arse. Again!

Wasn't 850 one of the spectrum of choice for GSM? Can GSM and HSPA happily co-exist in the same spectrum?

[yankee99]

On the CDMA network? Means most of the phones in Thailand won't work on it since they're on the GSM network. Am I wrong??

This is the big problem. Most of thailand uses gsm and they are providing it on cdma.

Edited February 16, 2011 by metisdead
Reduced font size.

[Deeral]

In 2 months it is also April 1,

This whole affair is surrounded and besmirched by skullduggery.

Firstly the competent foreign competition is removed and then more "friendly" ones come in and save the day.

This process seems to have little to do with quality of service and competitive pricing but more to do with who knows who.

Where do AIS and Dtac fit into all this?

it is interesting - or coincidence? - that True alone started to offer 3G in Pattaya a few months back, whereas AIS were stopping their mobile phone 3G service as they had no idea if they would have a contract in the future.

Wasn't there another government in Thailand that had a scandal involving telecommunications services????

...and sadly at the end of the day, previous experience would indicate that any service offered will be poorly run, unreliable and totally un-customer orientated

True has been in Pattaya for at least 1 year, I have used it their my self, the service is a bit scatty, but normally I can get a signal.

Sorry I don't see what point you are trying to make.....

[jfchandler]

True's existing 3G service in BKK and a few other cities runs on the 850 Mhz band, so it would make sense that their expansion plans would likewise involve running on the 850 Mhz band...

TOT/IMobile's 3G service now, and apparently their planned expansion, likewise will run on the 2100 Mhz band....

Who knows about AIS and DTAC for 3G moving into the future?

But right now, as has been said by me and others in other recent posts, it certainly seems prudent these days, if 3G is important to you, to have/use a phone or phones that can handle 850 and 2100 Mhz 3G service...

And indeed, that 850/2100 Mhz pairing isn't the most common combination, though there are quite a few different models that do... including some of the recent, higher end Nokia models that support 3G on 3 or 4 bands....

But now with Nokia's planned alliance with Microsoft for Windows 7 smartphones and the phasing out of their Symbian OS, it's pretty hard to know what the future profile of Nokia smart phones is going to be as regards 3G capability.

[rreddin]

Could some expert telecom/IT person explain in lay terms what, if any, affect all this will have on me currently using CAT CDMA as my only internet service provider?

I am no expert on the subject, but like you I use CAT CDMA to connect to the Internet.

Last week I tried to get a network router that would accept my CAT CDMA air card, which CAT said would be suitable for the purpose. Two frustrating days later they then said I need the new CAT CDMA EC150 air card, which is 3G compatible and gives download speeds of up to 3.1Mbps - but that will not be available in Udon for about a year!

So far as I can see from the pictures of the device, it does not have an antenna socket. That screws me as I am too far from the transmitter to get a signal without an antenna.

[colinthailand20005]

In 2 months it is also April 1,

This whole affair is surrounded and besmirched by skullduggery.

Firstly the competent foreign competition is removed and then more "friendly" ones come in and save the day.

This process seems to have little to do with quality of service and competitive pricing but more to do with who knows who.

Where do AIS and Dtac fit into all this?

it is interesting - or coincidence? - that True alone started to offer 3G in Pattaya a few months back, whereas AIS were stopping their mobile phone 3G service as they had no idea if they would have a contract in the future.

Wasn't there another government in Thailand that had a scandal involving telecommunications services????

...and sadly at the end of the day, previous experience would indicate that any service offered will be poorly run, unreliable and totally un-customer orientated

True has been in Pattaya for at least 1 year, I have used it their my self, the service is a bit scatty, but normally I can get a signal.

Sorry I don't see what point you are trying to make.....

The point I was making is that you said True 3G has only been in Pattaya a few months, but it has been there for at least 1 year+

[Jezz]

Could some expert telecom/IT person explain in lay terms what, if any, affect all this will have on me currently using CAT CDMA as my only internet service provider?

I am no expert on the subject, but like you I use CAT CDMA to connect to the Internet.

Last week I tried to get a network router that would accept my CAT CDMA air card, which CAT said would be suitable for the purpose. Two frustrating days later they then said I need the new CAT CDMA EC150 air card, which is 3G compatible and gives download speeds of up to 3.1Mbps - but that will not be available in Udon for about a year!

So far as I can see from the pictures of the device, it does not have an antenna socket. That screws me as I am too far from the transmitter to get a signal without an antenna.

I have EC122 with attenna. It claims to deliver 3.1 , but it depends how busy the network is. Mine came from Sakon Nakhon 3months ago. I'm about 1.5 klms from transmitter. I'm surprised what they have told you about Udon. I'm halfway between Udon and Sakon Nakhon.

[Cheops]

It appears to be the HSPA will be on 850MHz. My HTC Desire supports HSPA on 900/2100 MHz. Wonder what the percentage of phones in Thailand support HSPA on 850MHz?

Well, I guess we can probably expect to see True selling their own phones then. I seem to remember a rather successful telecoms company in Thailand using that business model about 15 years ago in Thailand who used IMIE coding to prevent access so they could charge a fortune for phones.

iPhone is 850 compliant as are many many other phones. I believe 900 Mhz for 3G is the band for which there is little to know hand sets available, and requires custom made ($$) hand sets. Telstra has implemented 850 very successfully too which has further reach than 2100 Mhz.

"Little to know hand sets available?" Yeah right! You clearly don't know too much about good smartphones. My super popular Samsung Galaxy S (which I like a lot!) runs on 900/2100MHz and so do many many others like HTC etc. Actually the iPhone is one of the few handsets that needs 850MHz.

[tragickingdom]

No need to do as if Thailand is picking up speed among their neighbors. Cambodia has 3 G for a generation the rest of the world is talking about 4G and for now CAT CDA is working only in a handful provinces. CAT is a lousy company, which allows roaming for CDAM phone calls but not for data. Wait till you get a real provider, providing real service and real 3G or better 4G.

[Tywais]

I must have missed where it said 850Mhz. Was it implied by some part of the article?

Not in that article but quite a few news releases on the Internet about it.

On Tuesday, state-owned CAT Telecom won preliminary approval a plan for TAC to make a commercial launch of 3G services on existing 850 MHz after it signed a contract with units of True to operate 3G services in January.

Yahoo news

CAT, the board of state-owned Telecom has approved plans for private sector mobile operators Digital Total Access Communication (DTAC) and True Move to expand their number of cell sites for 3G operations in the 850MHz frequency band

[hammered]

850 us useless for most phones. The other frequencies are all fine with with virtually every phone. If you are on 850 it is either i-phone, a few other models or a no doubt soon to be released local handset. AIS and DTAC are looking at frequencies used by virtually every phone. Avoid True unless you are i-phone obsessed. CAT yesterday agreed commercial use for DTAC.

Edited to add: the TOT recent move was a more usable frequency which I believe Samart won.

Edited February 16, 2011 by hammered

[cheeryble]

When I bought my iPad in CM I also got a microSim in a True packet. It says something about a promotion, some is free for a while....difficult to read.

Can anyone tell me why I still can hook up to this three months later?

BTW I must say the True service is extremely patchy I would never pay for it.

What IS the best network in CM?

How does one get around high fees?

cheers

[Tywais]

Some stats of HSPA worldwide.

Support for all 3G spectrum bands is strongly evident in the survey, not only for the widely-deployed 2100 MHz frequency band, but also for 850 MHz band operation in support of mobile broadband markets in Australia, the Americas, and Asia, plus HSPA devices operating in the 1900 MHz and AWS bands as also used in the Americas. The significantly improving availability of UMTS 900 (HSPA) devices is also highlighted, with 526 products now launched (more than double the number of products in the market one year ago).

gsacom