Two More Isp Licences Issued

Two more ISP licences

BANGKOK: -- The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has approved licences for two more Internet service providers: Pacific Internet and CS Loxinfo.

That brings to 10 the number of companies the NTC has decided to award ISP licences, including TT&T, True Internet and Acumen, after approving the first – for KSC Commercial Internet – in June.

NTC chairman Choochart Promphrasid said 12 companies had requested ISP licences since June. The NTC expects more will be awarded, thanks to liberalisation plans for Internet firms.

CS Loxinfo and Pacific Internet are among the leading ISPs in the market.

The NTC also approved the submission of an official letter to TOT Corp confirming that the regulator would charge the company 3 per cent of total revenue for its licence fee and another 4 per cent for its universal service obligation (USO).

Earlier, TOT had asked the NTC to reduce the total regulatory charges, claiming it would have to pay as much as Bt5 billion a year for the licence fee, number fee and USO.

TOT argued that such a sum would negatively affect its finances and dim its prospects for a planned listing on the Stock Exchange of Thailand.

“The licence-fee rate announced by the NTC is suitable for the telecom market. We plan to manage the licence-fee revenues by setting up a telecommunications fund for education and human resources, after paying out office-related expenses. Plus the NTC must turn any remaining revenue over to the Finance Ministry each year,” said Choochart.

He added that the NTC believed the licence fee would not affect consumers, as it would be lower than existing revenue-sharing contracts from TOT.

CAT Telecom has also asked the NTC to reduce the rate, saying it would have to pay about Bt700 million annually.

--The Nation 2005-09-09