Operators Compete On Wireless Internet Sales

Operators compete head-on to tap wireless Internet sales

BANGKOK: -- Major cellular operators are going head-to-head to convince companies they deserve the biggest slice of the suddenly growing demand for Internet-based wireless communications market while it's still hot.

The market for digital communications delivered by general packet radio service (GPRS) technology is small but fast-growing, as businesses work to cut costs with improved efficiency and productivity.

The bright prospect of Internet-based protocols have set the three top mobile operators _ Advanced Info Service, DTAC and TA Orange _ to fighting for a share of a market that analysts believe is worth 13 billion baht this year.

Second-ranked DTAC made a big splash as the first company to launch its Push Mail corporate e-mail checking service. It offers an always-on connection via GPRS-supported mobile phones.

True Corporation and AIS, meanwhile, are marketing the popular BlackBerry PDA, a GPRS-based device that combines wireless e-mail, standard mobile phone use and handheld computer functions.

Sunti Medhavikul, DTAC's chief commercial officer, said the company expected revenues of five billion baht from corporate users this year, up from three billion in 2004.

The proportion of DTAC's corporate revenue is also expected to rise from 10% to 15% of its total this year. The company expects its number of corporate customers to increase to 5,500 by year-end.

Mr Sunti said wireless e-mail checking had potentially huge room for growth. He said that up to 200 companies so far had expressed interest in Push Mail _ and 30 have ordered it, including Central Watson Co, the operator of the Watsons health and beauty store chain.

AIS, meanwhile, expects revenues of 7.5 billion baht, up from five billion last year, from an estimated 250,000 corporate customers this year. The current average monthly revenue per user of the company's corporate users is about 1,650 baht, compared with 1,250 baht for individual postpaid customers.

Major operators predict that Thailand's mobile non-voice market is expected to grow to 17 billion baht this year, from 14 billion last year.

--Bangkok Post 2005-09-12