4G service providers must offer cheaper service charges than 3G charges

BANGKOK: -- Bidders of 4G spectrum will be required to offer service charges lower than those charged by 3G spectrum operators and to offer special packages for low income-earners and the disabled, said Mr Thakorn Tanthasathit, secretary-general of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission.

The license requirement for cheaper service charges and special packages for low income-earners and the disabled is an additional condition to be imposed on the bidders and they must submit the details to the NBTC within September 30.

Mr Thakorn said that the service charge for 4G spectrum should be lower than the 3G current charge at 0.82 baht per second for voice service and 0.28 baht per one MB for data service because 4G spectrum is supplementary service of 3G spectrum.

He went on saying that the NBTC has been coordinating with the Interior Ministry to identify the low income-earners and disabled people to be eligible to the special packages.

So far, 100,000 disabled people have been registered. Low income-earners are those who earn not more than 10,000 baht a month.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/4g-service-providers-must-offer-cheaper-service-charges-than-3g-charges

-- Thai PBS 2015-08-05

How about a free iPhone 6 for each of the people registered as "low income earners"? That ought to level the playing field.

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The look on his face says it all. He knows the operators will struggle to make a profit. New equipment to offer 4G service isn't free. Not to mention the amount they spent to buy the rights to the spectrum!