No of users to reach 19mn in five years: PwC
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A number of consumers using voice and data services provided under the 3G platform is expected to jump 35 per cent from now to 19 million in the next five years, said PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Nattaporn Phan-Udom, partner and leader of PwC's Technology, InfoComm and Entertainment & Media (TICE), said that service fees would remain high initially due to the auction and network investment cost.
"This remains a challenge for the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, to ensure fairness to consumers," she said.
To service operators, she foresees the need to balance investment cost and marketing activities. Moreover, they will need to provide more contents to consumers. Nattaporn foresees increasing convergence of news and information from various business sectors, as well as information on entertainment, education, financial institutions and health to boost the average revenue per user (ARPU).
Yesterday, NBTC hosted the auction of 9 slots under the 2.1GHz spectrum, for a total of Bt41.625 billion. It is now faced with criticisms over the low aggregate prices, against the full value of the licenses of nearly Bt60 billion.
