Some 2m TrueMove users unlikely to have migrated to other networks by Sept: NBTC

[webfact]

Some 2m TrueMove users unlikely to have migrated to other networks by Sept: NBTC
USANEE MONGKOLPORN
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE NATIONAL Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission expects that around 2 million inactive subscribers of TrueMove will be affected once the cellular operator switches off its service on September 15, as they are unlikely to have migrated to other networks in time.

NBTC secretary-general Takorn Tantasith said yesterday that the watchdog could not grant TrueMove's request to port all its remaining 7.1 million customers at once to the cellular network of Real Future in an attempt to quickly migrate all customers before September 15.

This is because TrueMove has yet to obtain the consent of all these customers to migrate them to other networks, he said.

Cellular operators need customers' consent to migrate them to any other network, according to NBTC regulations.

TrueMove and Real Future are subsidiaries of True Corp. Of the 7.1 million subscribers in TrueMove's network, 2 million are inactive users.

Takorn said TrueMove had tried to reach all customers to urge them to migrate to other networks. However, a large number of them have not yet responded.

The cellular concessions of TrueMove and Digital Phone Co (DPC) expired last September, but the NBTC permitted them to continue serving customers for one more year, during which they have to completely migrate customers to other networks in order to prevent service disruption to their customers.

DPC still has about 16,000 customers on its network, out of a total of 74,000 last September.

The NBTC will inform both DPC and TrueMove in May to transfer 30 per cent of their revenue during the past year to the watchdog, which will then forward the amount to the state coffers.

TrueMove informed the agency in February that it had suffered losses of Bt463 million this past year, while DPC had made a loss of Bt29 million, said the NBTC.

The NBTC will reallocate the 1,800MHz bandwidth of TrueMove and DPC via an auction, which is scheduled to take place in August.


-- The Nation 2014-04-24

[chooka]

If they are switching off their service in Sept, why are they still door knocking (Yesterday) trying to sell packages?

[Lammbock]

So does hat mean TrueMove will stop their service and I have to move to AIS or what ever??? I don't really understand the situation. Can someone please explain?

Thank you.

[lomatopo]

TrueMove (not TrueMove H) have a GSM 1800 concession which will end on Sep. 15, 2014.

Assuming you have TrueMove now, we really need to know what type of phone you have (make/model). And if you want to keep your current number.

You could switch or MNP (port out) to DTAC, their GSM 1800 concession runs until Sep. 2018, or to AIS, their GSM 900 concession runs until 2015.

If your phone supports 850 MHz 3G and (/or) 2100 MHz 3G then you could port out to TrueMove H.

Of course actual service coverage adds another layer of complexity to the decision/recommendation.

The problem here is that these 7.1 million customers (or 5.1 million) have handsets which are GSM900/1800 capable only so they cannot be switched to TrueMove H, unless they buy a new phone.

[chooka]

So does hat mean TrueMove will stop their service and I have to move to AIS or what ever??? I don't really understand the situation. Can someone please explain?

Thank you.

My understanding is that they are switching off their service so yes you will have to move to AIS

[lomatopo]

Well, service was supposed to end on Sep. 15, 2013 (last year) but we all know how that worked.

If the 1800 MHz auction goes forward, and no one knows for sure if it can or will, in August then the Sep. 15, 2014 shut-down may occur.

Each customers situation may be unique: current phone, desire to buy a new phone, location(s)/coverage, ability to port, desire to keep number will determine the relative courses of action.

Do not that if you do switch to AIS, and your phone does not support 3 G/2100 MHz, you will face the same situation in Sep. 2015 when AIS'es GSM 900 MHz concession expires.

For current TrueMove GSM 1800 customers, who do not want to buy a new phone, DTAC may represent the best option as their GSM 1800 concession runs until 2018. This assume you have DTAC GSM 1800 coverage in your locations.

[Lammbock]

I have a IPhone 5 with True Move H 3G and Wifi, postpaid. Since 2012.

Do I need to worry?

[lomatopo]

Do I need to worry?

No.

We are talking about TrueMove.

As you have TrueMove H you are fine. They have a 15 year agreement with CAT (3G/850 MHz and a 15 year auction (3G/2100 MHz).

[bino]

Do I need to worry?

No.

We are talking about TrueMove.

As you have TrueMove H you are fine. They have a 15 year agreement with CAT (3G/850 MHz and a 15 year auction (3G/2100 MHz).

Just to clarify a little more for everyone,

Truemove and Truemove H are completely different, even though they share the similar name. Truemove will die, but Truemove H will live on.

I had the migration forced on me a few months ago. It all happened automatically. They somehow even managed to reprogram and reconfigure my existing SIM card with Truemove H remotely.

I can't help but wonder why they aren't doing this for everyone... why will 2 million customers be affected?

[lomatopo]

I can't help but wonder why they aren't doing this for everyone... why will 2 million customers be affected?

As the article clearly highlights:

a.) 2 million customers are currently inactive - typically this means their SIM has not registered on the network for some extended period of time; a few of these could of course be outside the country

b.) they have tried to port out - notified customers of the issue and option - between 5.1 and 7.1 million customers, but those customers have not agreed to the port - maybe because they do not understand the issue(s), more likely their handset would not work on TrueMove H.

[infinity11]

I get text from true every week or so about this. In thai only of course though i have requested English ages ago.

How do i know if my (cheapy) phone is compatible with TM-H?

I had so many bad experiences with true cust service i fear they might lose all my contacts stored on my simm.

(they need me to go to a true shop and change simms even though my network says TM-H when connected)

They are notoriously incompetent in regards to my years of service with them, yet i want to keep my number etc...

Are the other major carriers better or just as bad with mobile cust service?

Can any of them beat 1 baht a minute pre-pay and around 2 baht per sms? (it's actually a bit more now due to vat or something)

[build6]

Can any of them beat 1 baht a minute pre-pay and around 2 baht per sms? (it's actually a bit more now due to vat or something)

This seems to be 1 baht/minute for calls and per domestic SMS:

http://www.dtac.co.th/en/prepaid/products/newsimkongkapan.html

compatibility - google the specific model number and look at the frequency ranges.

contacts stored on SIM - you don't have to rely on True to copy them off, I'd think almost anyone in, say, MBK can do it for you? Copy it off the SIM memory and store it in the phone memory? (your phone can't be THAT old that it can't store the contacts?)

[lomatopo]

How do i know if my (cheapy) phone is compatible with TM-H?

What is the exact make and model of your phone?

Not sure why you'd stay with a company which provides notoriously incompetent service for years?

Assuming your phone supports 850 MHz 3G you could port out (transfer and keep your current number) to TrueMove H, or you could port out to AIS or DTAC, also keeping your same number.

Yes, the default calling and SMS rate is pretty much 1 baht/min or 1 baht/SMS, with some better deals (buffet, time of day, on-net, special number) available.

Most operators will transfer numbers from one SIM to another, but agree it is probably best to copy these over to the phone, and/or back them up using a PC.

Edited April 27, 2014 by lomatopo

[infinity11]

Thanks folks!

Cheapy phone nokia 105.

I dont chage networks for my convience and i am not yet convinced service is better eslewhere.

[Thai at Heart]

I can't help but wonder why they aren't doing this for everyone... why will 2 million customers be affected?

As the article clearly highlights:

a.) 2 million customers are currently inactive - typically this means their SIM has not registered on the network for some extended period of time; a few of these could of course be outside the country

b.) they have tried to port out - notified customers of the issue and option - between 5.1 and 7.1 million customers, but those customers have not agreed to the port - maybe because they do not understand the issue(s), more likely their handset would not work on TrueMove H.

I wonder how many users they report to the SET.

[lomatopo]

I wonder how many users they report to the SET.

This slide is from the Q42013 presentation (think this came out in February?) so it is 3 months out of date. I think they'll release their Q1/2014 financials on 15 May, and have an Analyst's presentation on 20 May.