3G News & Developments

[skippybangkok]

These companies always come out with their grand pronouncements of network expansion schedules. But in reality, they rarely seem to meet their own grand plans.

If you have followed the MNP debacle, it doesn't take much to understand why.

[lomatopo]

Yes, True, in classic mis-management fashion they seem so capable of, p*ssed away a significant portion of their high ARPU customers by making it so challenging for them to switch from TrueMove to TrueMove H, "foot stop moving so I can cleanly shoot it". Then they try to blame it on the MNP process. Then TrueMove H run out of numbers because they can't figure out who (CAT or True) must pay the past-due numbering fees and MNP consortium fees. Is it a surprise they lose money so reliably?

I think the build-out stalled (7,000 base-stations vs. 13,000 base-stations - of which TrueMove H may only have licenses for/access to ~ 5,500?) due to legal issues with the CAT-True deal - which are still not cleared up - and import licenses for the equipment were not issued.

Edited November 16, 2012 by lomatopo

[lomatopo]

NBTC telecom panel insists spectrum auction carried out strictly in accordance with law

Kesinee Tangkhiew

The Nation November 16, 2012 1:00 am

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission's telecom committee yesterday insisted that the 2.1GHz spectrum auction and all related processes had been carried out in strict compliance with the law and regulations, including the Constitution and frequency allocation law.

Committee members made the remark at the Central Administrative Court, before being questioned by the court following a petition by the Ombudsman last week for it to rule on whether the auction had lacked free and fair competition.

The Ombudsman also sought an injunction to suspend the NBTC's plan to grant licences to the three bid winners at the October 16 auction.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/NBTC-telecom-panel-insists-spectrum-auction-carrie-30194442.html

[lomatopo]

NBTC committee approves 3G licences

PANCHATRA SINSUK,

SIRIVISH TOOMGUM

THE NATION December 8, 2012 1:00 am

The telecom industry is facing a dilemma, with the national telecom committee's approval to grant the long-awaited licences for the 2.1-gigahertz spectrum and the Ombudsman's decision to fight against the licensing coming on the same day.

The five-member telecom committee of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commis-sion (NBTC) yesterday voted 4-1 to grant the spectrum licences as well as to license the three companies that successfully bid for slots on the spectrum to provide third-generation broadband cellular service, committee chairman Settapong Malisuwan said.

The committee will also require them to offer low 3G service tariffs.

Also yesterday, however, the Ombudsman board decided to lodge an appeal with the Supreme Administrative Court as soon as possible. This follows the Central Administrative Court's dismissal on Monday of a petition by the Ombudsman to take under judicial review the alleged lack of free and fair competition in the NBTC's 2.1GHz spectrum auction.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/NBTC-committee-approves-3G-licences-30195788.html

[lomatopo]

Good news, another step forward.

Still interested to hear about implementation - will there be new brands and numbers (091)? Will we be able to roam? Not sure about how no expiry dates will work? They will obviously run out of numbers quite quickly if they can't recycle unused numbers - maybe there will be a usage requirement?

Winners of 2.1GHz auction pick up their 3G licences

SIRIVISH TOOMGUM

THE NATION December 12, 2012 1:00 am

Executives of the three telecom firms that won slots on the 2.1-gigahertz spectrum picked up their licences from the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission yesterday, setting in motion the coming of the full third-generation cellular era in Thailand.

Among them were Advanced Info Service (AIS) vice chairman Somprasong Boonyachai, Total Access Communication (DTAC) chief executive officer Jon Eddy Abdullah and True Corp CEO Suphachai Chearavanont.

"Today is a very good day for Thailand and Thai consumers. Under the leadership of the NBTC and the ICT Ministry, Thailand now charges ahead," Abdullah said.

The three bid winners have already requested from the watchdog a combined 20 million mobile-phone numbers with the 091 prefix for providing the 3G service during the first year.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Winners-of-2-1GHz-auction-pick-up-their-3G-licence-30195956.html

[lomatopo]

Details re: 2100 MHz form AIS:

http://investor.ais.co.th/en/News-IRnews.aspx?command=view&ID=213

Acquisition of 2.1GHz license (3G)

AIS-CP 054/2012

December 12, 2012

Subject: Acquisition of 2.1GHz license (3G)

Ref: Letter to SET regarding official announcement of 2.1GHz license auction (3G) result no. AIS-CP 050/2012 dated 19 October 2012

To: The President

The Stock Exchange of Thailand

On October 2012, Advanced Wireless Network Co., Ltd. (AWN), a 99.99% subsidiary of Advanced Info Service Plc. (the Company) was the auction winner for 2.1GHz license (3G) at the bid price of Baht 14,625 million. On 11 December 2012 AWN was officially granted the license to operate 2.1GHz from the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC).

The Company’s Board of Directors meeting no. 7/2012 on 11 December 2012 approved a preliminary budget for AWN to roll out 2.1GHz network investment as required by the NBTC at a value of USD 413 million or approximately Baht 13,013.63 million (USD 1 = Baht 31.51).

The transaction is deemed to be an acquisition of assets under the Notification of the Capital Market Supervisory Board. When combining the amount of 2.1GHz license fee with the approximate investment budget of AWN, the calculated transaction value is 32.19% of total assets of the Company and its subsidiaries as at 30 September 2012. The transaction is therefore classified as Class 2 transaction under the Notification of the Board of Governors of the Stock Exchange of Thailand (Re: Disclosure of Information and Other Acts of Listed Companies Concerning the Acquisition and Disposition of Assets, 2004). The Company is deemed to disclose the transaction to the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET). and submit a notice of information memorandum on such transaction to the Company’s shareholders within 21 days from the date of disclosure to SET. Details of the transaction are as follows:

1. Transaction date

11 December 2012

[lomatopo]

Potential hurdle re: 1800 MHz auction and future LTE services?

CAT keen to keep some Truemove spectrum

USANEE MONGKOLPORN,

SIRIVISH TOOMGUM

THE NATION December 17, 2012 1:00 am

CAT Telecom wants to keep the part of the 1,800MHz spectrum used by TrueMove to continue serving TrueMove's approximately 17 million customers and will return the part used by Digital Phone Co to the regulator for reallocation after the two company's concessions end in September.

This is part of CAT's post-concession network and spectra management plan, which it has already submitted to the ICT Ministry for forwarding to the Cabinet.

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) is eager to reclaim the whole 1,800MHz spectrum from CAT for auctioning to provide 4G broadband cellular service. The watchdog is expected to finish by next month its plan to deal with the ends of the TrueMove-DPC concession.

CAT chief executive officer Kitisak Sriprasert said last week that CAT hoped it could keep some of its spectra until the end of its telecom licence in 2025 to serve the government's Smart Thailand policy involving the use of ICT technology to serve the public. The spectra will also be used to provide 4G-Long term Evolution (LTE) service.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/CAT-keen-to-keep-some-Truemove-spectrum-30196211.html

[lomatopo]

I think we may be in for some challenges, at least for TrueMove customers. They will have to port out/port in to the new 2100 MHz service before September of this year assuming they want to keep their same number. TrueMove H, AIS and DTAC customers should be OK for a while.

PREPARING FOR 3G

Telcos expected to start mass number porting by April 20: NBTC

Usanee Mongkolporn

The Nation January 14, 2013 1:00 am

Regulator also likely to consider lower interconnection charge this week

Telecom operators have been tentatively given until April 20 to co-launch massive mobile phone number porting to support the upcoming 3G networks and the end of the concessions of TrueMove and Digital Phone Co in September.

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) is also expected to consider this week the new and lower rate of network interconnection charge of at least 45 satang per call minute, which will encourage operators to further reduce their airtime rates for consumers.

An NBTC source said last week that three of the five 2G operators and Clearinghouse Co agreed in a recent meeting with the NBTC to expand their porting capacity to serve unlimited requests per day - a change from the present maximum of 4,000 numbers per day by all operators.

http://www.nationmul...p-30197830.html

Edited January 14, 2013 by lomatopo

[lomatopo]

AIS aims for 80% 3G coverage this year

Don Sambandaraksa | January 18, 2013

telecomasia.net

AIS aims to achieve nationwide 3G coverage by the end of this year, and make multiple forays into mobile payment. Laying out its plans at the AIS Visions 2013 kick-off event, CEO Wichien Mektrakarn thanked the regulator for its bravery in pushing through the licences after the October auction and ushering in a new era in telecommunications. AIS’ 3G subsidiary Advance Wireless Network is already rolling out base stations and will launch commercially as early as April or May.

Wichien said that the new 3G network will cover 50% of Thailand’s population by the first half of the year and 80% and every province by the end of this year. The licence conditions put 50% and 80% coverage at two and four years, respectively. Around 5,000 base stations will be launched in the first phase that will cover 18 of the country’s 76 provinces, a figure that includes heavy use of small cells in Bangkok.

http://www.telecomasia.net/content/ais-aims-80-3g-coverage-year

[lomatopo]

I love this quote:

It is obvious that the key beneficiary here is TrueMove. It is the only telco that needs more time given that it’s concession ends in nine months, while AIS subsidiary DPC is practically a deserted network anyway. It is interesting how all these so-called coincidences just happen to fall the way of local interests leaving the evil westerners scratching their heads as they are left out of these grand schemes.

The NBTC's Christmas gift to local telcos

January 02, 2013

Thailand's Dtac got an interesting Christmas present from regulator NBTC, in the form of an announcement that may result in half its 2G spectrum being seized. In what can only be described as an orchestrated series of announcements, first CAT Telecom said it would only be returning half the expiring 1800-MHz spectrum to the NBTC for re-allocation, and this move was backed by the ICT Minister.

Next, the telecom regulator’s commissioner for legal affairs Suthipol Thaweechaikarn announced on December 19 that the regulator was looking at amending the frequency master plan to allow for a more gradual return of 2G spectrum. Then on 24 December, news emerged that the NBTC was to recall half of Dtac’s 50 MHz stockpile of 1800-MHz spectrum for use in 4G.

All of this is intertwined.

http://www.telecomasia.net/blog/content/nbtcs-christmas-gift-local-telcos?Don%20Sambandaraksa

[lomatopo]

NBTC completes spectrum roadmap

Usanee Mongkolporn

The Nation January 28, 2013 1:00 am

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has completed its much-awaited telecom spectrum reallocation roadmap, but whether it will be able to implement the plan smoothly remains to be seen.

The sub-panel tasked with developing the 2012-2016 roadmap has already presented it to the watchdog's telecom committee.

NBTC commissioner Prasert Silphiphat said the roadmap lays out the direction for the telecom industry following last year's auction of 3G 2.1-gigahertz spectrum slots. He said the NBTC has to follow the roadmap. Should any legal challenge emerge to the spectrum reallocation, the cases would have to be settled by the courts, he said.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/NBTC-completes-spectrum-roadmap-30198799.html

[bobl]

NBTC completes spectrum roadmap

Any up to date info on whether they finally made a ruling on their insane argument over whether MVNO's were legal or not? My partners and I had an idea brewing that involves setting up an mvno, but my gut feeling's telling me RUN AWAY...

[skippybangkok]

NBTC completes spectrum roadmap

Any up to date info on whether they finally made a ruling on their insane argument over whether MVNO's were legal or not? My partners and I had an idea brewing that involves setting up an mvno, but my gut feeling's telling me RUN AWAY...

The fact you need to ask a question like this in TV tells me you should stay out of the business.

Typically u would need mega deep pockets for such an endeavor, and secondly it would be recommended to start with expert consultants at a mere cost of a few hundred thousand dollars to help answer that for your wealthy investors who want to remain wealthy.

[bobl]

The fact you need to ask a question like this in TV tells me you should stay out of the business.

Typically u would need mega deep pockets for such an endeavor, and secondly it would be recommended to start with expert consultants at a mere cost of a few hundred thousand dollars to help answer that for your wealthy investors who want to remain wealthy.

I'm well aware that setting up an MVNO is an expensive business, thanks. But every journey starts with the first step, my friend, and not every step needs to cost even $1. If you think the first step is to drop $half a million on consultants, I'm guessing you're a consultant...

There's 17 MVNO's in Thailand, only 5 or which are active and all 17 of whom are (were) waiting for decisions on whether MVNO's are even legal in Thailand. I'm guessing a ruling hasn't been reached yet, it was a simple enough question, I haven't even *begun* the first step yet.

[skippybangkok]

I'm guessing you're a consultant...

Wrong guess, just familiar with the process

Like I said, if you need TV consulting for something u plan to spend upwards of hundreds of millions of dollars ( even upwards of a billion ), if $100k is so much of a concern , don't even start.

[lomatopo]

NBTC completes spectrum roadmap

Any up to date info on whether they finally made a ruling on their insane argument over whether MVNO's were legal or not? My partners and I had an idea brewing that involves setting up an mvno, but my gut feeling's telling me RUN AWAY...

CAT is looking for additional MVNOs, Currently they have TrueMove H.

And, Malaysian MVNO TuneTalk (Tony Fernandes/Air Asia) has just (yesterday) signed a deal with Loxley to launch services in Thailand. Under the deal, Loxley’s i-Kool 3G service will be re-branded and the partnership will also include AirAsia airlines, where users will be able to use call credits for airline tickets. I-Kool currently offers services on TOT’s 3G network.

TOT is under some pressure to ramp up revenue.

SAMART/SAMTEL are rumored to sign a 12-year MVNO contract with TOT, later this month, to use 40% of its MVNO’s capacity (equal to 2.8m subs of a capacity of 7m subs). They plan to re-brand (the old iMobile 3Gx) as I-Mobile Plus.

Edited February 7, 2013 by lomatopo

[lomatopo]

CAT plans big investment in data and broadband

Usanee Mongkolporn

The Nation February 11, 2013 1:00 am

State telco prepares for life after loss of concession fees

CAT Telecom plans to make a long-term heavy investment on data communications and broadband cellular services and cut costs to seek revenue to offset the looming loss of concession fees. The State Enterprise Policy Office's committee last week approved the state telecom agency's 2013-2017 strategy for a financial turnaround to cope with the end of its concession. CAT chief executive officer Kittisak Sriprasert said that the strategy would help the state telecom agency to survive.

The turnaround plan ranges from investment on the expansion of data communications networks to broadband cellular networks, such as the 4G-Long term Evolution technology (LTE) network. CAT's cellular business concessions granted to Digital Phone Co (DPC) and TrueMove will end this September, while that of Total Access Communication will end in 2018.

Starting in 2014, CAT and TOT will have to pass their concession revenue to the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), which will transfer the funds to the state, as stipulated by the Frequency Allocation Law's Article 84. Kittisak said CAT's 3G-850 MHz wholesale-resell business had expected total revenue of around Bt25 billion this year. About Bt22 billion of this would be from wholesaling the 3G bandwidth to True Corp's subsidiary Real Move, which has provided the cellular service on TrueMove H brand. The rest will be contributed by CAT's resell of this 3G service by its My brand.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/CAT-plans-big-investment-in-data-and-broadband-30199727.html

[lomatopo]

What this article really means, I think, is that TrueMove's 1800 MHz GSM concession ends in September of this year, at which time they are required to turn over their 1800 MHz spectrum to the NBTC for auction. Note that the potential for 18 million TrueMove subscribers to be without service looms large. That said, as TrueMove deploys 2100 MHz, as a result of the recent auction, they can re-farm some of their 1800 MHz spectrum for LTE, at least until September, or until such time as they "re-obtain" 1800 MHz spectrum. The NBTC can give spectrum away for free, but the public outcry might be too much to fluff over?

True plans to launch 4G service in April

Usanee Mongkolporn

The Nation February 11, 2013 1:00 am

True Corp plans to launch 4G wireless broadband service on the 2.1-gigahertz spectrum in Bangkok in April in a bid to steal the show from its rivals, which are expected to debut the 3G service on their 2.1GHz spectrum bands in the same month.

A True source said the company had already ordered imported 4G network equipment, which will utilise the 2.1GHz spectrum. It plans to launch the 4G service in a few commercial areas in Bangkok.

True subsidiary Real Future is one of the three holders of the 2.1GHz spectrum licences granted by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) last December. Under this technology-neutral licence, they can utilise any technologies to provide cellular service.

The other two licence holders are Advanced Wireless Network (AWN) of the largest cellular operator Advanced Info Service (AIS), and DTAC Network of the second largest cellular operator Total Access Communication (DTAC). All three licence holders are expected to kick off the 2.1GHz service in April.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/True-plans-to-launch-4G-service-in-April-30199739.html

[4evermaat]

What this article really means, I think, is that TrueMove's 1800 MHz GSM concession ends in September of this year, at which time they are required to turn over their 1800 MHz spectrum to the NBTC for auction. Note that the potential for 18 million TrueMove subscribers to be without service looms large. That said, as TrueMove deploys 2100 MHz, as a result of the recent auction, they can re-farm some of their 1800 MHz spectrum for LTE, at least until September, or until such time as they "re-obtain" 1800 MHz spectrum. The NBTC can give spectrum away for free, but the public outcry might be too much to fluff over?

True plans to launch 4G service in April

Usanee Mongkolporn

The Nation February 11, 2013 1:00 am

True Corp plans to launch 4G wireless broadband service on the 2.1-gigahertz spectrum in Bangkok in April in a bid to steal the show from its rivals, which are expected to debut the 3G service on their 2.1GHz spectrum bands in the same month.

A True source said the company had already ordered imported 4G network equipment, which will utilise the 2.1GHz spectrum. It plans to launch the 4G service in a few commercial areas in Bangkok.

True subsidiary Real Future is one of the three holders of the 2.1GHz spectrum licences granted by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) last December. Under this technology-neutral licence, they can utilise any technologies to provide cellular service.

The other two licence holders are Advanced Wireless Network (AWN) of the largest cellular operator Advanced Info Service (AIS), and DTAC Network of the second largest cellular operator Total Access Communication (DTAC). All three licence holders are expected to kick off the 2.1GHz service in April.

http://www.nationmul...l-30199739.html

So does this mean that My Cat will have 2100 3.5/4G access via roaming agreement with True?

-----

My by Cat has revised their MyClick plans and now it is called My Data Unlimited

All plans are unlimited internet, but the pre-fair use GB allotments are different

http://www.mybycat.com/products.php?id=14&sid=81

starts at 350 baht for unlimited internet with 1GB data.

They also have a "My All" which is the combo internet, voice, and SMS. The prices are attractive:

http://www.mybycat.com/products.php?id=14&sid=82

Unsurprisingly, the English pages have not been revised yet, but you can get the gist from the thai pages.

[lomatopo]

So does this mean that My Cat will have 2100 3.5/4G access via roaming agreement with True?

I would say no.

[lomatopo]

AIS to switch 10M customers in first year

Usanee Mongkolporn

The Nation March 18, 2013 1:00 am

Advanced Info Service (AIS) has begun the process to upgrade its customers to the 3G-2.1 gigahertz service, aiming to switch between 8 million to 10 million customers to the 2.1GHz network within the first year.

AIS, the largest cellular operator, has already informed customers through several channels about its 2.1GHz broadband cellular service and related details. Its wholly owned subsidiary, Advanced Wireless Network (AWN), is scheduled to launch the 2.1GHz service in May phase by phase. AIS customers can also apply to be upgraded to the service from now on.

A telecom industry source said that AIS, which has more than 35.7 million subscribers, has targeted to move between 8 million to 10 million premium subscribers to AWN's network within this first year. AWN, and also DTAC Network of Total Access Communication, and Real Future of True Corp are the three holders of the 2.1GHz spectrum licences granted to them by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC).

A telecom analyst said AIS is under pressure to roll out the 2.1GHz network as fast as possible to move all customers to this new network before its 2G concession ends in September 2015. The fast customer migration is also aimed to improve its own 2G-900MHz service quality, following the constraints of its existing 900MHz spectrum.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/AIS-to-switch-10M-customers-in-first-year-30202143.html

[lomatopo]

NBTC steps for concession expiry by June

Usanee Mongkolporn

The Nation March 18, 2013 1:00 am

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) is expected to wrap up in June all measures to deal with the expiry of concessions of TrueMove and Digital Phone Co (DPC) on September 15. The NBTC's telecom committee chairman, Settapong Malisuwan, said that in June the committee would also conclude which parties it would assign to take care of the customers of TrueMove and DPC who fail to move to other networks after the concession expiry. It will also specify how long these assigned parties should take care of these customers.

"If any state or private parties disagree with any measures announced in June, they could take the case to court," he added. If the case is brought to court, he believes the court will hurry to make a ruling before the concession expiry in September. TrueMove and DPC each has about 18 million and 80,000 subscribers, respectively. CAT Telecom has granted them the 1,800 megahertz spectrum to offer cellular service under concession contracts.

Both CAT, and TrueMove's parent True Corp, want to be the one to take care of TrueMove's customers who fail to migrate to other networks on time once the concession ends. CAT has estimated that about 10 million customers of TrueMove will be left in the cellular operator's network after September.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/NBTC-steps-for-concession-expiry-by-June-30202138.html

[lomatopo]

NBTC steps for concession expiry by June

Usanee Mongkolporn

The Nation March 18, 2013 1:00 am

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) is expected to wrap up in June all measures to deal with the expiry of concessions of TrueMove and Digital Phone Co (DPC) on September 15. The NBTC's telecom committee chairman, Settapong Malisuwan, said that in June the committee would also conclude which parties it would assign to take care of the customers of TrueMove and DPC who fail to move to other networks after the concession expiry. It will also specify how long these assigned parties should take care of these customers.

"If any state or private parties disagree with any measures announced in June, they could take the case to court," he added. If the case is brought to court, he believes the court will hurry to make a ruling before the concession expiry in September. TrueMove and DPC each has about 18 million and 80,000 subscribers, respectively. CAT Telecom has granted them the 1,800 megahertz spectrum to offer cellular service under concession contracts.

Both CAT, and TrueMove's parent True Corp, want to be the one to take care of TrueMove's customers who fail to migrate to other networks on time once the concession ends. CAT has estimated that about 10 million customers of TrueMove will be left in the cellular operator's network after September.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/NBTC-steps-for-concession-expiry-by-June-30202138.html

[skippybangkok]

AIS to switch 10M customers in first year

Usanee Mongkolporn

The Nation March 18, 2013 1:00 am

Advanced Info Service (AIS) has begun the process to upgrade its customers to the 3G-2.1 gigahertz service, aiming to switch between 8 million to 10 million customers to the 2.1GHz network within the

That does not fair well for AIS customers. 10 million subs on 15 MHz spectrum, expect lots of dropped calls, low data rates and poor voice quality .

[thaicbr]

AIS to switch 10M customers in first year

Usanee Mongkolporn

The Nation March 18, 2013 1:00 am

Advanced Info Service (AIS) has begun the process to upgrade its customers to the 3G-2.1 gigahertz service, aiming to switch between 8 million to 10 million customers to the 2.1GHz network within the

That does not fair well for AIS customers. 10 million subs on 15 MHz spectrum, expect lots of dropped calls, low data rates and poor voice quality .

Haven't AIS already signed a network share deal with TOT hence the reason they paid extra for the spectrum next to TOT's. I think 35mhz in total.

[lomatopo]

AIS's concession runs to 2105, DTAC's until 2018. As such both will want to migrate their highest ARPU customers (post-paid and/or data) over to 2100 MHz sooner rather than later as they will not have to pay the concession fees associated with that revenue stream. Hence 2100 MHz may be packaged and marketed as a "premium service", perhaps with a new sub-brand?

TrueMove's concession ends on Sep. 15, 2103 so they really need to do something in short order as they have 18 million subscribers who will, unless accommodations are made - and some expect they will be - lose service on 16 Sep.

The total number of subscribers any of the big 3 can support on their 5+5+5 network really depends on the number of sites, number of users per site and the percent using data. Without that level of detail it would be challenging to make blanket statements about ultimate service levels.

CAT and TOT just inked a roaming agreement.

The TOT-AIS roaming agreement covers up to 1 million subscribers.

Edited March 19, 2013 by lomatopo

[lomatopo]

While it was not without its problems...DTAC now arguably have to most up to date and flexible network. Damn those ferners.

dtac invites customers to celebrate the completion of its nationwide network upgrade

18 March 2013

Mr. Jon Eddy Abdullah, Chief Executive Officer of Total Access Communication PLC. (dtac), together with Mr. Prathet Tankuranun, Senior Vice President - Network Operations Division and Mr. Pakorn Pannachet, Senior Vice President - Product Division, invited dtac and Happy customers to join dtac in celebrating the successful completion of the company’s network upgrade. dtac spent two years upgrading its network equipment nationwide so that it is capable of providing 3G services in every district of Thailand. At the moment, dtac has more than 10,000 cell stations that support 2G and more than 5,000 cell stations that support 3G services nationwide. All these stations offer complete efficiency in supporting voice calls as well as use of mobile internet and data-related services. The new network can be easily upgraded to support 4G and other state-of-the-art technologies which takes less than 15 minutes. Moreover, the new network is good for the Earth and global environment as it consumes much less energy.

Mr. Jon Eddy Abdullah, dtac CEO, said “dtac is accelerating the installation and expansion of our 3G network in the 2.1GHz frequency band so that we can efficiently provide 3G services in full stream to our customers nationwide. On top of that, we will continue to expand our networks so as to serve 50% and later on 80% of the Thai population. We expect to have completed this task well before the deadline set by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC). Regarding the testing of mobile signals to assess the quality and efficiency of 2G and 3G networks in Bangkok, the results of the recent independent drive test show that dtac has leading scores on the majority of clusters for both data and voice for 2G and 3G. These positive results have given us even more confidence in our capability to provide 3G services on the 2.1GHz frequency band in the second quarter of this year.”

To celebrate its new network, dtac is delighted to offer a special privilege to Happy and dtac customers. They are invited to make free calls to any dtac number for 30 minutes within 1 day, once for every number own from now until 21 April 2013. To sign up for this, simply press *5000# and dial. For more information, please contact dtac Call Center at 1678.

http://www.dtac.co.th/en/pressroom/news/networkcelebration.html

[skippybangkok]

While it was not without its problems...DTAC now arguably have to most up to date and flexible network. Damn those ferners.

LOL , say it 10x and u might just convince your self. True is the clear leader in 3G in the Thai market. It will take till end of 2013 before DTAC / AIS can make a big push as they are now gearing up for 2100 MHz role out

[lomatopo]

LOL, keep telling yourself True is a leader in any category except losing money year in, year out.

I think TrueMove H resells CAT 3G?

DTAC have ~ 7.2 million data subscribers as of 12/31/12 while TrueMove H had 2.9 million total subscribers.

Seriously though, once TrueMove turns profitable feel free to let us know.

[skippybangkok]

LOL, keep telling yourself True is a leader in any category except losing money year in, year out.I think TrueMove H resells CAT 3G?DTAC have ~ 7.2 million data subscribers as of 12/31/12 while TrueMove H had 2.9 million total subscribers.Seriously though, once TrueMove turns profitable feel free to let us know.

Stick to copy and paste professional articles, leaves u less exposed.

With 2x more cell sites than DTAC, and having 2x more spectrum as well, those guys at DTAC must be real magicians to claim they have the best 3G network

Let me know when u have some real facts