Moving True, DPC subscribers will take 9-12 months: panel
THE NATIONAL BROADCASTING and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC)'s telecom committee expects that it will take from nine months to one year to port all 17 million users of TrueMove and Digital Phone Co to other networks after their 1,800MHz concessions
Suthiphon Thaveechaiyagarn, a member of the NBTC, confirmed yesterday that the interim plan to take care of these customers would last for one year only. After that, if some users still have not migrated to a new network, all of their services will be shut down.
The telecom committee also approved a Bt63-million budget for the preparation of the 1,800MHz auction in September of next year. This includes the consulting fee for the International Telecommunications Union, which is the auction plan adviser.
The committee plans to allow TrueMove and DPC to cooperate with CAT Telecom, which granted them their concessions, to continue serving their combined 17 million users during the one-year transition after the concessions expire.
The final draft of the interim plan, which is expected to be approved by the telecom committee tomorrow, indicates that the concession holders and state enterprises would collaborate to provide cellular services to customers during the switch to 3G.
The NBTC will soon assign the parties to operate the interim service. The plan requires the parties to propose measures for consumer protection to the NBTC within 15 days after the plan takes effect.
The NBTC is due to approve the interim plan on August 14 and publish it in the Royal Gazette on August 21.
