TOT proposes share deal with AIS for network operator
TOT plans to allow its concession holder Advanced Info Service (AIS) to acquire shares in its wholly owned network-operator subsidiary ACT Mobile as part of the state agency's plan to have ACT Mobile rent out all its network assets to generate new revenu
TOT chairman Udom Puasakul said yesterday that the agency was in talks with AIS on the matter. They are discussing such details as TOT continuing to own a majority stake in ACT Mobile and whether this partnership will be subject to the Public-Private Joint Venture Act.
ACT Mobile, which was founded on August 7, 2000, on capital of Bt1.2 billion, installed the mobile network for TOT.
Udom said that according to the proposals being discussed, AIS would transfer its entire network of telecom towers under the concession to the state agency in advance of the concession’s expiry in 2015. AIS will get first priority on the right to lease this network from ACT Mobile to provide service and AIS will not have to pay to lease the network until the concession ends. But AIS would continue to pay an annual concession fee to TOT as usual. Currently AIS has about 13,000 telecom towers, while TOT has about 5,000.
However, TOT needs to submit this partnership plan to the Smart Thailand Committee of Information and Communication Technology, given that the plan is part of the Smart Thailand project.
The TOT board yesterday also ordered the agency to review the plan to launch “quad play” services and resubmit it within three months. The proposed quad play service combines fixed lines, broadband, mobile and multimedia services, aimed at becoming its new source of revenue in the near future.
