Thailand To See 3G Nationwide By Mid-2012

[webfact]

Contract granted, nationwide 3G to be in place mid-2012

By Usanee Mongkolporn

The Nation

TOT is expected to complete the launch of its nationwide third-generation broadband network in the middle of next year after full services come online in Greater Bangkok and 13 major provinces in the middle of the fourth quarter this year.

The state agency yesterday officially granted a Bt15.99-billion contract to the SL consortium of Loxley and Samart to procure equipment for its plan to roll out the network nationwide on the 2.1-gigahertz spectrum.

TOT senior executive vice president Kamthorn Vaitayakul said management had also determined the qualifications of possible partners to help provide the 3G service on an MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) basis, which could be divided into strategic MVNOs and general MVNOs.

MVNOs are companies without their own network that have leased the network or airtime of telecom operators to provide service. A strategic MVNO is one that joins with TOT to determine marketing plans, while a general MVNO just buys 3G phone numbers in bulk from TOT for resale.

Kamthorn said the MVNO details were expected to be concluded next month and TOT might need two strategic MVNOs.

Advanced Info Service, which holds a TOT concession, has been in talks with the agency on a possible MVNO deal.

Three phases

The network installation will be in three phases. The first two phases will be finished in 180 days after the contract signing and will focus on densely populated areas in Greater Bangkok and 13 provinces - Chon Buri, Rayong, Songkhla, Surat Thani, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Phitsanulok, Udon Thani, Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, and Nong Khai. The third phase will be the network's nationwide expansion.

TOT president Anont Tubtiang said the project was meant to be TOT's new revenue source.

The SL consortium will provide to TOT one core network, 4,772 base stations, one network management system, one value-added service system, one business support system, and a maintenance system.

The Office of the Auditor-General has not yet investigated whether TOT conducted the bidder-qualification process for the 3G network on a fair basis, after a complaint by the Ericsson-led consortium at the Central Administrative Court that it was unfairly disqualified from the January's bid process.

TOT has continued to insist that it can clarify all doubts and that the qualification process was conducted transparently.

Last week the TOT board selected a consortium of Bank of Ayudhya and UOB to provide loans for the project. The consortium offered a low interest rate with a 10-year repayment schedule. Of the total project value, 85-90 per cent will be financed by loans.

TOT debuted the existing 3G network in Greater Bangkok in late 2009 and has recruited five companies to provide the service on that network on an MVNO basis. The network, totalling 548 base stations, has about 200,000 subscribers.

TOT targets 1.3 million 3G service subscribers this year before the number rises to 7 million by 2015. It expects revenue of Bt1.7 billion from the 3G service this year before rising to Bt3.482 billion next year.

-- The Nation 2011-05-10

[englishinsiam]

This will be great to see and I'll be one of the 1st Subscribers as long as the packages are realistic. But I'm not holding my breath for it in Pattaya this year.

[KKK]

No mention of DTAC ... so looks like I'll not be using it.

[EODghost]

Same song and dance as before. When I turn on my phone and see the 3G symbol, then I know it's there.

Until then, believe nothing in Thailand.

[Fookhaht]

Wow, cutting-edge TOT finally embraces a 10-year old technology. Even Africa has had the system for over 7 years!

[steelepulse]

O/T but related, I'm watching an online streaming sports station and the tv ads are talking about 4G and network coverage.

[vichar]

Where do you live ? Pattaya has both EVDO (HUTCH) and HSDPA/UMTS (TRUE). I've been using HSPDA/UMTS for almost a year now. Granted there were only one carrier for each band. It is better than nothing .

This will be great to see and I'll be one of the 1st Subscribers as long as the packages are realistic. But I'm not holding my breath for it in Pattaya this year.

[Disinto]

3G (with W-CDMA technology) on the 850 MHz band is indeed available with True and it works well in BMA. It's also available with DTAC but only in Siam IIRC. AIS plan to refarm the 900 MHz spectrum this year for W-CDMA as well. TOT already deployed 3G in the 2100 MHz band and plan to extend its network according to the aforementioned news. The big problem with TOT 3G is the lack of free handover to 2G (handover to AIS can be done at a fee) which is particularly annoying given its spotty coverage, its lack of RF optimization and its poor in-building penetration (due to the higher frequencies used).

True will dramatically extend its network this year too through the commercial brand 'TrueMove H', still on the 850 MHz band while waiting for the public auctions of 2100 MHz spectrum.

[petedk]

Wow, cutting-edge TOT finally embraces a 10-year old technology. Even Africa has had the system for over 7 years!

They even have 3G at the top of Mount Everest.

[rotary]

I will believe 3G is working in Thailand when I see it! But they are still selling the IPhone 4 here ya know! LOL

[colinthailand20005]

I am living in Bangkok, and have been using Truemove, but now when I do a network search, DTAC show's up as having a 3G network now. I have attached a screen print. Anyone any ideas?

[wpcoe]

I will believe 3G is working in Thailand when I see it! But they are still selling the IPhone 4 here ya know! LOL

And, I've been using True 3G on my iPhone4 in Bangkok, Pattaya/Jomtien and Hua Hin since December 2010. Fairly decent throughput usually. Highest was 5Mbps downstream, but usually 1 to 3 Mbps. Definitely not 4G, but WAY better than EDGE.

I used 3G via a USB modem on my notebook in Bangkok from June to December 2010.

So, 3G does work in Thailand. Just not nation-wide. Yet.

[arrowsdawdle]

Wow, cutting-edge TOT finally embraces a 10-year old technology. Even Africa has had the system for over 7 years!

Iraq has had it since 2007

Philippines since 2008

N. Korea since 2008

Johannesburg since 2004

Morrocco since 2006

China since 2009

[tragickingdom]

Hun Sen must have a great time. #G exists in Cambodia all for at least 5 years. In Thailand it is no matter of economic necessity. State agencies sue their own government. Make cozy deals with CP group (yellow shirt and army sponsor) so True can screw DTAC and AIS. Shame on Thailand! 3G could have been 4G next year.

[SomTumTiger]

I've had 3G in Bangkok for 3 years - perhaps you guys are just too lazy to switch to True

[Tywais]

3G True Move versus DTAC.

[mca]

The network installation will be in three phases. The first two phases will be finished in 180 days after the contract signing and will focus on densely populated areas in Greater Bangkok and 13 provinces - Chon Buri, Rayong, Songkhla, Surat Thani, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Phitsanulok, Udon Thani, Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, and Nong Khai. The third phase will be the network's nationwide expansion.

TOT fervently praying that the Mayan end of the world " scenario" will occur in December 2012 so they don't have a call centre meltdown from irate customers because the promised nationwide expansion never happened.

TOT president Anont Tubtiang said the project was meant to be TOT's new revenue source.

Because the " MCA not calling his granny back in the UK at rip off prices because she died a couple of months back" source has dried up.

Edited May 10, 2011 by mca

[atyclb]

Cut Thailand some slack on the 3G issue, they've diverted manpower(woman power and ladyboy power, I guess?) to their space shuttle program.

[eagleflyinghigh]

Wow, cutting-edge TOT finally embraces a 10-year old technology. Even Africa has had the system for over 7 years!

Even Sri Lanka too, was amazed about their 3G network and the fastness of the uncensored internet.

But who has any interest that the people in the north or in Isaan have access to fast internet? Fast internet and a Tor browser to beat cemsosrhip could make this people become empowered.

[Boater]

so by the time thailand moves onto 3g, the reset of the world will be on 4g !!!!!!!!

[bitterbatter]

Anyone know when we can expect 3G in Chiang Mai or is it here already?

[NoBrainer]

What's up with 3G on the 2.1Gigahertz frequency?

Last year the NTC was going to auction off that frequency and raise Billions for the government. The auction was canceled at the last minute die to court challenges.

Now it looks like TOT in cahoots with AIS is just going to hijack the frequency? So the profits go to Singapore instead of Thailand?

MESSAGE TO NEXT GOVERNMENT Might be good idea, next time you write new laws, give somebody some authority to enforce them, as part of the Law/Regulation.

[Tywais]

Anyone know when we can expect 3G in Chiang Mai or is it here already?

AIS has 3G in some areas of Chiang Mai.

AIS in Chiang Mai - Thaivisa

Coverage Chiang Mai - AIS

[tommyyoung]

Wow, cutting-edge TOT finally embraces a 10-year old technology. Even Africa has had the system for over 7 years!

I think Thailand should have skipped the 3G and moved directly to the 4G, which is already used in some Scandinavian countries and some US cities.

By mid-2012 3G will already be obsolete. It's a waste of money to do it now.

[Disinto]

What's up with 3G on the 2.1Gigahertz frequency?

Last year the NTC was going to auction off that frequency and raise Billions for the government. The auction was canceled at the last minute die to court challenges.

Now it looks like TOT in cahoots with AIS is just going to hijack the frequency? So the profits go to Singapore instead of Thailand?

MESSAGE TO NEXT GOVERNMENT Might be good idea, next time you write new laws, give somebody some authority to enforce them, as part of the Law/Regulation.

As a public operator, they have the right to use the 2100 MHz spectrum. That's what they're currently using.

[Disinto]

Wow, cutting-edge TOT finally embraces a 10-year old technology. Even Africa has had the system for over 7 years!

I think Thailand should have skipped the 3G and moved directly to the 4G, which is already used in some Scandinavian countries and some US cities.

By mid-2012 3G will already be obsolete. It's a waste of money to do it now.

Absolutely not, according to the latest forecasts, W-CDMA will still dominate in terms of # subs for high-speed data for quite some time. LTE will be a niche market but will eventually grow.

W-CDMA will not be obsolete and will still see evolutions throughout the years.

[sjl]

Anyone know when we can expect 3G in Chiang Mai or is it here already?

True had 3G in Chiang Mai last December ....

[lomatopo]

3G (with W-CDMA technology) on the 850 MHz band is indeed available with True and it works well in BMA. It's also available with DTAC but only in Siam IIRC. AIS plan to refarm the 900 MHz spectrum this year for W-CDMA as well. TOT already deployed 3G in the 2100 MHz band and plan to extend its network according to the aforementioned news. The big problem with TOT 3G is the lack of free handover to 2G (handover to AIS can be done at a fee) which is particularly annoying given its spotty coverage, its lack of RF optimization and its poor in-building penetration (due to the higher frequencies used).

True will dramatically extend its network this year too through the commercial brand 'TrueMove H', still on the 850 MHz band while waiting for the public auctions of 2100 MHz spectrum.

Excellent synopsis, thank you.

Can you expand or link any details re: TrueMove H expansion?

I use both TrueMove 3G and TOT 3G (imobile 3GX, an MVNO). My phone supports 850/1900/2100 Mhz for 3 G. I can confirm the in-building coverage is much, much better (as expected) with True. People who are looking for a fixed-broadband replacement may be unhappy with 2100 Mhz; plan to have your PC on the balcony. Performance, both real-world and measured, varies by location, proximity to serving base-stations and load. I'd say I average ~ 3 Mbps (peak 5.3 Mbps) down with True and ~ 2 Mbps (peak 3.2 Mbps) down with TOT. TOT's MVNO pricing is more attractive than True, presently.

I think TOT 3G hands off to TH GSM (AIS/One-2-Call) for voice when outside of coverage, but AFAIK, no 2G data, MMS and not sure about SMS. Obviosuly if AIS becomes a "strategic MVNO" for TOT then these roaming/hand-off issues are resolved immediately.

True 3G does offer (nearly) nation-wide GSM/voice coverage, decent 2G hand-off but I sometimes am forced to use One-2-Call for 2G when in some (not so remote) areas.

[Sydebolle]

Cross any border post into the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Nan/Hongsa included) and ..... BLIP ...... the 3G symbol shows not only up but it truly works. Considering the fact, that they might have only a few percent of users compared to Thailand......

[dominique355]

Let's see who will sue TOT for installing a 3G network without a bid and without the NBCT having to approve it.

My bets are on CAT, they love to sue everybody and everyone in sight. Buy maybe the Ministry of Internet Censorship (MICT) or the Ministry of Culture will step in. It is so not Thai culture to have 3G. :jap: