CAT union asks board to approve 3G-service funding
CAT Telecom's labour union has urged the state agency's board to approve a Bt7.83-billion budget for the state agency to continue its My brand third-generation cellular broadband service, which is expected to be CAT's main source of revenue in future.
The union made the request to the board yesterday.
Information and Communica-tions Technology Minister Anudith Nakornthap will meet with CAT’s board of directors today to discuss problems related to the agency’s 3G business.
CAT has pinned its hopes on My becoming its main revenue stream. The state agency submitted to the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) a budget request of Bt12 billion to invest in related infrastructure and marketing activities. Of the total budget, CAT plans to spend Bt7.83 billion on further developing the My service.
However, the NESDB declined to approve the budget, recommending that CAT submit the budget request to the Cabinet first.
The union believes that the board has the authority to approve the Bt7.83-billion budget, and should do so to prevent damage |to CAT.
According to the union, the lack of a budget for the My service would cause damage to the state agency by, among other things, leaving it unable to procure SIM cards and 3G mobile phones to woo new customers, making it impossible for it to meet its revenue target.
The My service has about 50,000 customers.
