TOT seeks AIS for Joint 3G/4G development on 2.1GHz
Companies hold adjacent bands of 15 megahertz of the spectrum
TOT is keen to talk with its concession holder Advanced Info Service (AIS) on possible joint development of third- and fourth-generation cellular service on their adjacent bands of the 2.1-gigahertz spectrum, TOT president Yongyuth Wattanasin said.
The band of AIS subsidiary Advanced Wireless Network (AWN) is adjacent to that of TOT. Each holds 15 megahertz of the 2.1GHz spectrum. TOT began providing 3G service on the spectrum many years ago, while AWN is expected to launch its 3G service in April.
Yongyuth said talks on the possible collaboration should begin soon.
TOT, a state agency, has already joined with the SL consortium of Loxley-Samart Corp to set up a 4G network in 100 spots in Bangkok on a trial basis, and the service will debut in 40 spots this Friday.
The 4G trial service is being facilitated by Nokia Siemens Networks. The SL consortium won the bid in 2011 to procure the facilities for expansion of TOT’s existing 3G network.
TOT also has earmarked many billions of baht to expand its telecom services and networks as part of its 2013-16 business plan.
It will spend Bt500 million on converting its copper-wire telecom network to fibre optics nationwide. It is asking permission from the State Railway of Thailand to install a 3,000-kilometre fibre-optic network along the railways.
It will seek companies to do the installation and then rent the network back to TOT.
It will also spend Bt5 billion to take part in the SEA-ME-WE 5 (South East Asia-Middle East and Western Europe 5) undersea-cable project as ab alternative route to the South-East Asia Japan Cable System (SJC) that links eight Asian countries.
The state agency also aims to increase the number of subscribers to its broadband Internet service to 1.65 million this year from 1.4 million nationwide.
Yongyuth added that TOT could become a telecommunication hub of the Asean Economic Community if it can achieve all its goals.
The state agency has to improve its operations and seek new revenue sources.
From next year onwards, TOT and the other state agency CAT Telecom have to transfer all concession revenue to the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, which will pass the money to the state, as required by the Frequency Allocation Law.
