DTAC To Go Ahead With 3G Launch This Week

[webfact]

DTAC

DTAC to go ahead wIth 3G launch thIs week

By Usanee Mongkolporn,

Sirivish Toomgum

The Nation

Total Access Communication (DTAC) will press ahead with the launch of its third-generation wireless broadband service in Bangkok this week as planned, despite a possible legal threat from its concession owner CAT Telecom.

DTAC has about a million subscribers with 3G-850-megahertz mobile phones, of whom about 400,000 are in Bangkok. It believes it has to debut the service now or it might lose premium subscribers to competitors Real Move and Advanced Info Service, which launched full 3G services last month.

CAT has warned DTAC that it should wait for a ruling by the Office of the Attorney-General on whether the launch of a commercial 3G service is appropriate under its CAT concession. The office recently warned DTAC that launching the service before its ruling could put the telecom at risk of legal action.

DTAC believes it can launch the service under a permit it secured from the National Telecommunica-tions Commission to install and use a 3G network. It argues that this is not in fact the launch of |a new commercial service but |simply an upgrade of network data-transmission speeds for its customers.

A telecom-industry source said CAT had asked DTAC to withdraw its complaint at the Central Administrative Court against the state agency and its board in connection with the CAT-True Group deals on collaboration in 3G business first, and then CAT would urge the Office of the Attorney-General to expedite its ruling.

The source added that DTAC might want to wait to see how the new minister of information and communications technology handles the CAT-True deals. If the minister declines to look into the matter, DTAC might consider withdrawing its court complaint.

DTAC has said many times that its complaint against the deals and its 3G service launch are two separate issues.

CAT and True's subsidiaries Real Move and Real Future signed deals in January to develop jointly a nationwide 3G-850MHz service. In April, DTAC filed the court complaint against the legitimacy of the deals and against the CAT board for allowing the state agency to sign them with True group.

DTAC had its staff try the new 3G service last month. It will install 2,000 3G base stations by next year to cover 40 provinces, of which 400 are already available in Bangkok.

-- The Nation 2011-08-15

[rwhoov]

No matter what, the whole 3G story a disgrace. It speaks volumes to how business is done here in Thailand.

[woodyleonhard]

Fascinating.

CAT owns the towers. How can DTAC put their HSPA equipment on them??? Is CAT providing the backhaul - the bandwidth that runs from the towers to the main Internet links? If so, won't they just cut DTAC off at the knees?

Presumably the DTAC HSPA service will run at 850 MHz.

In Phuket, True HSPA "3G" (running on CAT towers) has gone from fast to quite mediocre. Most likely a backhaul problem. I'm sure True wouldn't appreciate sharing backhaul bandwidth with DTAC.

[LJW]

What is 3G service good for?

[jpinx]

It's similar to the situation in UK where private operators have to use BT cabling.

All academic anyway as they will saturate the service with users and it'll slow down to the point where their customer services are almost swamped. That is the yardstick in the reality of the commercial world.

Edited August 15, 2011 by jpinx

[timberboy]

Too bad DTAC cant just launch 4G service!!!

Its already been released in USA.. The problem is the infrastructure. If CAT owns the lines and they are only 3G ,then 4G will take a long time to get to Thailand.

In USA the phone companys own the lines. And due to the breakup of that monopoly, the phone company has to "lease" phone numbers to smaller competitive telephone services.

Maybe that is what is called for in Thailand too. It will make more competition in that industry resulting in better pricing for customers. The phone company still wins, because they get paid the fees for leasing the available numbers to the other companies.

[arrowsdawdle]

No matter what, the whole 3G story a disgrace. It speaks volumes to how business is done here in Thailand.

By comparison, Vietnam launched 4G a year ago.

[bhakta]

I was in India in July and found the #G service working nearly everywhere I went, even in smaller towns and villages, and it was nearly free of cost. Thailand is backwards.

[thailandshasse]

I agree with Bhakta.

When will Thailand be little more up to date with gsm networks and licences ?

Thailand are still one of the MOST EXPENSIVE PARTS OF THE WORLD TO MAKE A PHONE CALL FROM, same with normal phone or gsm networks.

Don,t even mention the HIGH COST,to down load matter what,on any THAI gsm networks!

It,s a shame !

[KKK]

DTAC should ask its 1 million subscribers to sign a petition or ask them to initiate a class action suit. CAT must be brought to their knees over their 3G dilly-dallying.

[ricku]

Great news. I'll be the first to dump True Move and swich over to DTAC. Bye bye half assed True Move and hello DTAC with reliable foreign high quality service!

But yeah, reliable 3G in thailand is ridiciously overdue. 4G should have been here a long time ago. Even poor Vietnam and Cambodia has 4G.

Edited August 15, 2011 by ricku

[bombis]

Great news. I'll be the first to dump True Move and swich over to DTAC. Bye bye half assed True Move and hello DTAC with reliable foreign high quality service!

But yeah, reliable 3G in thailand is ridiciously overdue. 4G should have been here a long time ago. Even poor Vietnam and Cambodia has 4G.

DTAC service is quite good. But if you think all your 3G problems will be solved by moving to DTAC, then you are dreaming. They are just starting out with this service and you can rest assured they will face the same slow down problems over time than any other operator. Besides, DTAC has more subscribers than TRUE, so that won;t help the case. AIS the same thing. Although I also heard lot of positive comments, some of my friends who have AIS 3G service think its really bad so far with 3G constantly cutting off even within Bangkok and speeds already below average.

[tragickingdom]

The worthless Thai politicians connected to the old money should be ashamed of themselves. Directors of state companies suing the government without being sacked. Thailand is starting to talk about 3G, while the rest of the world including Cambodia are ready for 4G

[Para]

As rwhoov said this whole subject is past being a joke. I would assume its easier to state the countries that don't have 3G than the ones that do.

IMO DTAC would of won by going to 4G and leaving CAT holding a redundant 3G baby but if DTAC are forced to piggyback CAT infrastructure then there is no way it will ever happen.

I just can't believe as of August 2011 Thailand is still fighting over the 3G network. I hate to think what the rest of the world thinks the shame. Guess they, like us are wondering why its taking to long for the backhanders to be paid out.

[englishinsiam]

Thats what it boils down to. Backhanders and sleaze no more no less.

TIT in big capital letters.

[billd766]

The biggest problem with 3G or any G for that matter is the monopoly called CAT.

This government should completely break up the CAT just like the UK broke the stranglehold of British Telecom.

I read somewhere recently that CAT has more than 4 times the staff of AIS and DTAC combined and around 5% of the combined customer base.

[webfact]

PRESS RELEASE

dtac sets August 16 as 'dtac 3G' launch date

Published on August 15, 2011

Existing customers receive upgrade at no additional charge dtac announced the launch of the dtac 3G service on 850 MHz band

The new service upgrade enhances user experience on dtac's Internet network with faster and smoother data transmission. Entailing continuous service improvement and network coverage expansion, the dtac 3G marks a major step for the company in reaching the goal to become the country's best data network operator. The flagship service also encompasses a strong collaboration among all dtac employees and boasts the company's biggest campaign of the year.

Jon Eddy Abdullah, Chief Executive Officer, Total Access Communication PLC. (dtac) said "the dtac 3G service is part of our ongoing commitment to provide customers with innovative solutions and services that will benefit their daily lives. It is a service enhancement that is offered at no additional charge to all our existing customers in the Bangkok area who have already subscribed to data service packages. We strongly believe that the 3G HSPA service on 850 MHz will benefit not only the Thai consumers, but also the Thai telecom industry and the country as a whole. Since the 3G HSPA service on 850 MHz is provided under a concession agreement, it will also benefit our partner, CAT Telecom."

"The HSPA upgrade on the 850 MHz band marks the beginning of exciting times for the telecom industry in Thailand. We believe the establishment of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission and the licensing of 2.1 GHz spectrum for 3G services will take the industry to an even higher level and we look forward to working with the new Minister of the Information and Communication Technology Minister and NBTC in making this a reality" said Abdullah.

According to Pakorn Pannachet, Senior Vice President - Products Division, dtac, "the launch of dtac 3G service on August 16 reinforces the commitment of our continuous service improvement and network coverage expansion. Existing dtac subscribers who own a handset or device that supports 3G on 850 MHz band are entitled for the dtac 3G service and can use it in service areas currently covering Bangkok. Our existing data service customers can simply enjoy the dtac 3G service, but with noticeably higher speed and better signal quality, all with no additional charge."

"The dtac 3G comes out on top in terms of speed thanks to the ample 10 MHz bandwidth," added Pakorn. "This means the network can accommodate higher concurrent users and provides speeds of up to 42 Mbps downlink and at speed rate of mega bit per second ranged uplink. With thorough quality test conducted by both our staff and external specialist team, we are confident on the full readiness in serving customers, and yet we continue to adopt the latest technology with a view to improve the service quality to the level beyond customer expectations."

"The dtac 3G is our annual flagship campaign and encompasses comprehensive collaboration among all dtac teams and employees with the aim to create and develop the best service quality for our customers," added Pakorn.

Currently dtac has committed an investment plan to upgrade its network to 3G in 1,220 base stations and planned to increase the number of 3G base stations to 2,000, covering 40 provinces in 2012.

For more information on coverage areas, models of compatible handsets and devices and advice on device setting, go to www.dtac.co.th/3G. Current dtac customers who subscribed for unlimited mobile internet package will receive automatic upgrade which entitles them to the dtac 3G service. For current dtac customers who subscribe for other packages, simply dial *3000# and press call (toll free) to enable the dtac 3G service. There is currently no additional charge for the dtac 3G service.

To celebrate the launch of the dtac 3G, the company created a television commercial entitling "Care" that reflects positive aspects of telecom technology to human life under the tagline - "Beyond the best technology is its ability to connect all emotions smoothly". Special campaign including consumer event and several fun activities are also planned to be launched very soon.

-- The Nation 2011-08-15

[PusadeeHarvey]

What a load of Bullshit!

It's pure discrimination against a company with part foreign ownership. DTAC is also right in its assertion that the 3G product is just an upgrade from the 2G product using the same infrastructure.

[rmacdon61]

"The dtac 3G comes out on top in terms of speed thanks to the ample 10 MHz bandwidth," added Pakorn. "This means the network can accommodate higher concurrent users and provides speeds of up to 42 Mbps downlink and at speed rate of mega bit per second ranged uplink."

Like to see them actually hit a 42 Mbps!!!! Rules state that if a company can offer 2G at consistant speed near top 2G, they are allowed to sell it as 3G. Even in North America, 4G is just 3G running at a speed that is an acceptable 3G rate. Get to charge more for a service they are finally supplying (3G now called 4G). Bandwidth will always dictate just how fast, maybe 3G at 3am in the morning?

Edited August 15, 2011 by rmacdon61

[cowslip]

I don't understand the technicalities, but are the proposed frequencies actually OK?

I understood that they would not be suitable for many 3G phones in Thailand.

[Jimjim]

They should just skip 3G in Thailand and go straight to 4G. Much better technology.

[Cappella]

Hi,

Here is my first experience with DTAC 3G:

I'm working on Silom, this morning I got the 3G signal (full bars) on my phone (Samsung Galaxy S2), and I got an internet unlimited package.

Signal has been pretty unstable since the morning, switching between 3G and 2G, even some period with no signal at all...

I was unable to get any 3G Data connection until 11:45am (It would switch between E / 3G / H / H+ and even sometimes going to G (gprs!!!)), only Edge was working.

Calls were problematic this morning : unable to call, able to call but extremely bad quality or calls being dropped, and unable to send sms. For the last half hour however, I've been able to make and receive calls with very good quality... hope the problem is fixed.

Since now I'm able to get the H+ data connection working, here are some speed tests (I only put test results where the data connection was H+ all the way around, got a few test where it would switch to Edge in the middle):

Latency (ms) / Download (Kbps) / Upload (Kbps)

546 / 105 / 459

178 / 78 / Fail

70 / 297 / 2341

72 / 905 / 2024

76 / 615 / 768

227 / 597 / 876

579 / 809 / 265

426 / 107 / 437

Results are not really consistent, I hope they work on improving this since it's their first day. However I could see some nice upload speeds (2M+), but a bit disappointed by download, while I'm getting between 700 & 1500Kbps with True, I didn't see anything higher than 600Kbps with DTAC.

Also, DTAC advertises HSPA+ up to 42Mbps, my phone supports up to 21Mbps, during the tests, the connection to the antenna was only 7.2Mbps (dial *#0011# on the SGS2 and "HSPA+ used: 1")

But well, can't complain too much on launch day ;-) specially considering how bad the Edge service has been here recently

David.

Edited August 16, 2011 by Cappella

[webfact]

TELECOM

CAT blocks Dtac's 3G launch

[random]

forgive my lack of technical knowledge here.

this morning I turned on edge on my ipad and turned on 3g (I have dtac unlimited internet sim in there), I had the full bars and the 3g logo, so I guess it works, but my question is what exactly is 3g? what does it do for me? does it just make my internet quicker when going through the sim card? what are the advantages?

[sungod]

Yes, in layman's terms 3g will give you much faster data speeds, it should be a huge improvement.

[random]

Yes, in layman's terms 3g will give you much faster data speeds, it should be a huge improvement.

:jap:

[webfact]

please continue:

CAT Blocks Dtac's 3G Launch

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