Nationwide 3G project on course despite flooding
Telecommunication operators say they are confident of meeting their schedules for expanding their 3G wireless broadband networks despite the flood crisis.
A source at True Corp said the flooding was not disrupting the installation of its nationwide network for third-generation HSPA (high-speed packet access) service by BFKT (Thailand), as most of the work currently is inside buildings.
BFKT is a subsidiary of Real Future, a firm wholly owned by True. It is setting up the 3G network for CAT Telecom to wholesale its capacity to interested firms, including True subsidiary Real Move.
A source at Total Access Communication said the flooding had a slight impact on the company’s expansion of its 3G network in some areas. But DTAC is confident of meeting its goal of establishing a total of 1,200 base stations in Bangkok and 20 other provinces by February, of which 800 bases have already been set up.
Advanced Info Service recently finished building an additional 3G base stations in Greater Bangkok and switched them on early last week. Currently it has about 1,300 3G base stations in Bangkok and its suburbs. AIS will expand its 3G network to 3,500 base stations from the present 1,884 in several major provinces. The expansion is expected to be complete by April.
A source at TOT said it too was confident of being able to launch its 3G service in November. The first phase of the roll-out of the new network is proceeding as planned, establishing 3,500 bases in 18 provinces, despite the floods. It is also confident of launching the service nationwide by May as scheduled, with a total of more than 4,700 base stations.
The state agency has reportedly moved slowly with the nationwide 3G project because of the need to coordinate with other parties sharing infrastructure and base-station locations.
