Telecom firms to compete in network coverage
Competition from the three telecom firms that hold licences for the 2.1-gigahertz spectrum will focus on the rapid expansion of network coverage nationwide in the initial stage and the sale of compatible mobile devices to ensure customers get a satisfacto
But it remains to be seen whether their parents can quickly migrate a great number of customers from their operations under state concessions to the 2.1GHz networks via the mobile-phone-number portability process, because of reluctant support from TOT and CAT Telecom.
Both state agencies have threatened to lodge complaints with the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission that the regulator does not forbid some operators from transferring customers to the 2.1GHz networks via an SMS-based (texting) method, although it seems to contradict some NBTC regulations.
Chief customer officer Chaiyod Chirabowornkul of Total Access Communication (DTAC) said the 2.1GHz operators would focus on giving the best service experience to customers, expanding network coverage, and promoting greater availability of compatible devices to those who want to access the service. Despite the coming of the third-generation cellular era, he said second-generation service was still important.
DTAC will deploy its three spectrum bands – 1,800 megahertz, 850MHz and 2.1GHz – to provide broadband cellular service. It now offers 2G on 1,800MHz and 3G on 850MHz. Its subsidiary DTAC Network holds the 2.1GHz spectrum licence. DTAC is expected to target about 10 million 2.1GHz customers this year.
Advanced Info Service senior vice president for consumer marketing and sales, Titipong Khiewpaisal, said AIS 2.1GHz service would focus on showing to customers that the company cand deliver what it promises.
AIS subsidiary Advanced Wireless Network (AWN), which holds the 2.1GHz licence, has begun the process to upgrade its customers to the 3G-2.1GHz service, aiming to switch between 8 million to 10 million customers from AIS to AWN’s 2.1GHz network within the first year.
Papon Ratanachaikanot, assistant to the president of True Corp, said True would highlight the 4G-2.1GHz service.
True subsidiary Real Future holds the 2.1GHz licence. Its other subsidiary Real Move has partnered with CAT to provide 3G-850MHz service nationwide under the TrueMove H brand.
AWN will officially debut its 3G-2.1GHz service today (Tues), while Real Future will debut 3G and 4G service on the 2.1GHz spectrum tomorrow (Wed). DTAC Network is expected to launch 3G-2.1GHz service officially within this quarter.
The NBTC last week ordered all five telecom operators – AIS, DTAC, True, TOT and CAT – to expand their number-portability capacity to 40,000 per day from the current 20,000. Portability enables mobile-phone users to switch to different networks and keep using their existing phone numbers with the networks they switch to.
CAT and TOT have been reluctant to join with others to expand the combined portability capacity, saying they will gain no benefit from it.
NBTC commissioner Suthiphon Thaveechaiyagarn said the telecom committee might propose to the three private cellular operators that they shoulder costs for CAT and TOT in this joint expansion of portability capacity to encourage both to support it.
CAT last week threatened to complain to the NBTC for failing to forbid some operators from sending text messages to their subscribers to ask for their consent to migrate them from their existing 2G networks to the 2.1GHz networks. CAT said this practice was against the NBTC’s regulations on mobile-phone numbering, requiring subscribers to show up in person and show their identity cards at counters to ask for their numbers to be transferred to a different network.
