CAT To Install Broadband Cellular Network

CAT given go-ahead

After being postponed for months, the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Ministry yesterday said it has authorised CAT Telecom Co to invest Bt400 million to install a broadband cellular network in three cities.

ICT minister Surapong Suebwonglee said yesterday that CAT Telecom could set up Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) 2000 1x mobile phone networks in Chiang Mai, Khon Khaen and Phuket, which have been designated for development by the government as “IT cities”.

Last year CAT Telecom planned to set up a CDMA network in several provinces, which was to be connected with the existing network of its mobile phone joint venture HutchisonCAT. It was to cover 25 provinces in central Thailand, and allow HutchisonCAT to provide a countrywide service.

Last year, major network supplier Nortel Networks won a CAT bid to set up the CDMA 2000 1x network in the remaining provinces, before the project was suspended by Surapong, who said the required investment of Bt32 billion was excessive.

“I want CAT Telecom to invest, but only in three cities to gauge the demand of Hutch’s services in those areas first,” Surapong said.

--The Nation 2004-01-24