DTAC In Full Gear For Launching 3G Service To The Customers In August

[webfact]

DTAC in full gear for launching 3G service to the customers in August

Target a total of 2,000 base stations by 2012

Total Access Communication PLC (dtac), announced the readiness to launch 3G High Speed Data Packet Access (HSPA) service on 850 MHz band in August 2011. With 3G technology, dtac can provide greater benefits with a full portfolio of broadband mobile internet services for consumers in Thailand, marking a major step in reaching the goal to become the country's best data network operator.

Jon Eddy Abdullah, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of dtac said "the launch of dtac 3G service will enable us to better address the fast growing demand for high speed broadband and mobile internet in Thailand. We believe that customers will enjoy a full range of benefits from high speed communication services as well as a great deal of new innovative solutions that will follow. 3G service is a crucial factor for dtac to better address customer's demand and to become number one leader in the wireless data service segment"

dtac has previously committed to invest Bt1.2 billion for the network upgrade for 3G service up to 1,220 base stations and currently completed the initial network upgrade in Bangkok. Starting from July 25, the company will provide a "3G service quality test", to its employees, in order to ensure the best customer experience when the service is fully launched in August. The further network upgrade, covering entire Bangkok and several major provinces, will be continue and expected to be completed within this year. dtac 3G service will be initially available in Bangkok in the middle of August 2011.

"We plan to continue investing in the best technology for our customers with a target of 2,000 3G base stations within 2012, a further investment of THB 750 million for additional 780 base stations in order to provide 3G service in total of 40 provinces," said Abdullah.

dtac has marked an important step to finally launch 3G service and to take another step toward the no.1 position in the data service arena in the near future. With a strong endeavor to deliver the best service quality for customers, dtac will launch the "Life network", an integrated campaign that governs the core value of all product and service offerings. More details about dtac's "Life Network", campaign will gradually come out soon through various marketing communication channels.

-- The Nation 2011-07-22

[bkkjames]

Am I the only one wishing that dtac, ais, true and whoever just sends out an sms to us once they actually have it working? I am not about to switch to dtac because of something that may or may not be available by the end of the year.

3 years of pr promises, lawsuits and other quite meaningless statements have left me not holding my breath. Kinda like the true new hd splash campaign promising this and that-upon closer inspection reveals it will only be available to a select few who are not using their dstv box/dish.

[EvilDrSomkid]

CAT will still need to give 3G permission to DTAC.

Not likely to happen anytime soon.

Strange there is no mention of the legal issues in this article.

[ricku]

CAT will still need to give 3G permission to DTAC.

Not likely to happen anytime soon.

Strange there is no mention of the legal issues in this article.

Maybe dtac finaly got tired of the greed and the bullshit system, and decided to just head out with guns blazing.

[dddave]

The article reads like a press release by D-Tac; which it undoubtedly was.

[Digitalbanana]

I've had a DTAC account for years and a 3G capable phone for five yrs now... I am not holding my breath... besides the phone only does 900Mhz HSPA for which every other neighboring country in the region offers.

[webfact]

DTAC Expresses No Concern Over Probe

The CEO of DTAC has expressed no concern over the probe into their company's case after having been alleged of being illegally owned by foreigners.

Total Access Communication or DTAC CEO Jon Addy Abdullah has expressed no concern over the Commerce Ministry's action of submitting a file with the Central Investigation Bureau to further investigate the foreign shareholdings of DTAC.

He said DTAC has nothing to worry about as it is innocent, and the company is ready to cooperate with police in the investigation.

Abdullah said that the shareholders of the company will be the ones to clarify the case.

Meanwhile, the CEO said DTAC's large shareholding company, Telenor Asia Pte, is still confident in DTAC and will continue to invest in the company, as it is still able to generate significant revenue.

He said DTAC's total sales for the second quarter of this year stood at 19.7 billion baht, a growth of 13 percent compared to last year.

He added that the revenue was generated from providing additional services and selling smartphones.

DTAC has also experienced a rise in the number of customers by 400,000 and now has a total of 22.7 million customers.

Moreover, DTAC confirmed that it will launch its 3G network services, frequency 850 MHz, in September of this year.

He said DTAC will be using 1.2 billion baht to develop its 3G services covering 2,000 stations, while expanding with 780 additional stations covering 40 provinces next year.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-22

[CrustyJuggler66]

I can't wait to ditch Thailand's True service for some good old foreign reliability, and a possible phone signal (let alone 3g) outside of this city. True's 3G is barely faster than DTAC's Edge service, it's awful.

[thaicbr]

Dtac have stated that the NTC gave them permission so they do not need Cat's approval as they will continue to pay the concession as usual. They are going 850mh'z because thats what the NTC gave them..

But reading between the lines they are just forcing the point and are really waiting for the 2100mhz auctions to come about. It is their preferred frequency.

They have to do this or get left behind...

[LuukKoeyKorat]

About time...3G has been working nicely here in lowly Laos for some time now. Welcome to the 21st century, LOS.

[Chivas]

So cutting through the spiel we can expect to be picking up 2-3 meg via dongles in next couple of months ??

[MYKTHEMIN]

So cutting through the spiel we can expect to be picking up 2-3 meg via dongles in next couple of months ??

I suggest you don't hold your breath!!! I would be happy just for the normal to work 24/7, not just sometimes, really crap service. 2 years maybe once all the brown envelopes are distributed.

[MikeBangna]

Why is WiFi and GSM / 3G still a magic thing here ?

You see, wire telegraph is a kind of a very, very long CAT. You pull his tail in Roi Et and his head is meowing in Bangkok. And wireless operates exactly the same way: You send signals here, they receive them there. The only difference is that there is no CAT ....

[woodyleonhard]

CAT will still need to give 3G permission to DTAC.

Not likely to happen anytime soon.

Strange there is no mention of the legal issues in this article.

That's exactly what I was thinking. If it's 850 MHz HSPA, it has to be CAT.

CAT and True seem to be doing a lot together. I have no idea how DTAC would fit into the picture.

[uncleRoy]

Yep some news!!! When do they, the invisible ones, give permission for 4G. How far this country is behind many others shows and they claim not to be third world.

[Satcommlee]

For many, you need check your handset covers 850 MHz 3G before you get too excited, My Galaxy Tab doesn't and doesn't work with TRUE in Pattaya.

[rotary]

Until I see the 3G logo on my phone display in Nakorn Nowhere I do not believe.

[jfchandler]

Maybe DTAC will finally be able to launch some 3G service, but I'm not holding my breath over it...

Not only are they nowhere good in the licensing race, but they also face the hassle of the ownership investigation....and who knows what will come from that... The preliminary finding, for whatever it was worth, already was that they had violated the law thru proxy shareholding....

And then, they're going to invest a bunch of cash in upgrading base stations to 3G on the 850 Mhz band, only later to potentially want to compete for the national 2100 Mhz license... Sounds like a mess....

BTW, the original post in this thread most certainly was a DTAC press release... No byline from The Nation, and not even The Nation's own staff write self serving rubbish like that... at least... well.... OK... forget that final thought...

Edited July 22, 2011 by jfchandler

[MrChangers]

Riot gear or drugs gear? We are geared up? The man is a flake,

[MrChangers]

, and not even The Nation's own staff write self serving rubbish like that... at least... well.... OK... forget that final thought...

They are the original 100 monkeys with typewriters producing crap

[Digitalbanana]

CAT and True seem to be doing a lot together. I have no idea how DTAC would fit into the picture.

They won't. CAT puts brakes on DTAC 3G launch

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2011/07/23/business/CAT-puts-brakes-on-DTAC-3G-launch-30160997.html

Did someone mention conflict of interest?

[KKK]

Yeah go stick it to them DTAC. Show True, AIS and all the other w**ker networks just how it should be done.

Only trouble is it is 850MHZ where my phone (Samsung) is 900. But it's getting old now (3 years +) so probably time for an upgrade.

But why Thailand chooses 850MHZ when most of the world is on 900 beats me. Are they hoping to create some new standard? So far the only standards they conform to are incompetancy and idiocy. And what happens when I travel..I'll need either 2 phones or one that does both systems.

[KKK]

CAT and True seem to be doing a lot together. I have no idea how DTAC would fit into the picture.

They won't. CAT puts brakes on DTAC 3G launch

http://www.nationmul...h-30160997.html

Did someone mention conflict of interest?

Delays..delays..delays...DTAC have been waiting over 2 years for CAT to make up their mind...Just WHAT are CAT up to? And if DTAC has been waiting 2 years so has its customers....CAT should be put in a bag and drowned.

[bdw]

by the time LOS get their sheeit straight the rest of the World will be on 4G

[oMega69]

There is 3.5G for some time now in Cambodia :]

[Crushdepth]

Yeah go stick it to them DTAC. Show True, AIS and all the other w**ker networks just how it should be done.

Only trouble is it is 850MHZ where my phone (Samsung) is 900. But it's getting old now (3 years +) so probably time for an upgrade.

But why Thailand chooses 850MHZ when most of the world is on 900 beats me. Are they hoping to create some new standard? So far the only standards they conform to are incompetancy and idiocy. And what happens when I travel..I'll need either 2 phones or one that does both systems.

They're doing this because they can't get access to 2100, because the regulatory body with authority to issues licenses STILL hasn't been set up, and vested interests have managed to block 2100 spectrum auctions by court action.

Foot dragging is immensely profitable, so things aren't going to change for a few years yet.

[Kilgore Trout]

For many, you need check your handset covers 850 MHz 3G before you get too excited, My Galaxy Tab doesn't and doesn't work with TRUE in Pattaya.

Upon checking my galaxy phone doesn't run on 850 either; for 3g it runs on 900 or 2100; looks like I will be going to ais.

[skippybangkok]

with the prospects of handing over all your assets to CAT at the end of the concession, any 3G claims by DTAC are pure market positioning. It would be financial suicide to do a full roll out