InTouch set for Bt500m investment
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InTouch, formerly known as Shin Corp, plans to spend at least Bt500 million this year on developing its terrestrial digital-television business and creating a venture-capital arm to invest in promising media, telecoms, IT and content businesses, in a move
InTouch’s chairman of media and new business, Suphajee Suthumpun, said this week that it was essential for the company to create new businesses.
The telecom holding giant has set aside at least Bt300 million, which could be expanded to Bt1 billion in the future, for development of its terrestrial digital-TV broadcasting business, she said.
The company will apply for three types of licences to run this business once they become available from the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC).
It might also seek partners to help develop the business, she added.
Last month, the NBTC approved the draft rules defining four types of radio and TV broadcasting businesses, and the required licences for running them.
The first licence class is for providers of networks, such as transmission systems, while the second is for providers of facilities such as broadcasting towers.
The third class is for providers of services such as radio and TV broadcasts, and the fourth is for providers of application services such as content and pay-per-view.
The rules will be finalised and put into effect this year to allow the watchdog to grant licences for operations ranging from conventional broadcasting and digital TV to satellite TV and pay-TV.
InTouch has also set aside a budget of between Bt220 million and Bt250 million to create a venture-capital arm to invest in potential telecom, IT, media and content businesses this year.Shin Corp had established a venture-capital business many years ago, but it did not prove successful and faded away.
Currently, almost all of InTouch’s revenue is contributed by its cellular flagship company, Advanced Info Service (AIS).
Suphajee said InTouch had also considered incorporating Thaicom’s overseas telecom businesses, Lao Telecommunications (LTC), and Cambodia-based telecom operator Mfone, into the AIS group. However, this is a matter for the far future as AIS is now focused on its planned bid for a 3G spectrum licence from the NBTC, she added.
The Lao government owns 51-per-cent of LTC, while Shenington Investments holds 49 per cent. Thaicom owns 51 per cent in Shenington.
