TOT to get moving on 3G cellular sites under new chairman
TOT will install 9,500 more third-generation cellular sites on its 2.1-gigahertz network within two years as part of its plan to capture a share of the wireless-service market to replace lost concession revenue.
"I asked TOT to push the project as its first priority. We have to conclude the investment plan soon," Suchart Wongananchai, the new TOT chairman, and director-general of the Corrections Department, said yesterday.
The first phase of 5,320 sites is expected to be completed this year after a long delay from last year. The goal is 15,320 sites within two years.
Advanced Info Services, the largest mobile-phone operator, and Samart Corp are reportedly interested in joining TOT on this new phase of network investment and wholesale service.
Information and Communications Technology Minister Anudith Nakornthap has said he would not allow TOT to seek more loans for the second phase of its 3G network expansion but would support the agency in developing this project with private partners under any business model.
AIS has a data-service roaming contract with TOT, while Samart is the largest wholesaler of TOT’s services under a mobile virtual network operator contract.
TOT counts only 440,000 subscribers after launching 3G services in 2009, while the country is home to some 70 million mobile subscribers.
Other 3G operators will exceed TOT’s planned network coverage. AIS aims for 10,000 3G-2.1GHz sites, Total Access Communications (DTAC) for 5,500 3G-2.1GHz sites and 5,200 3G-850-megahertz sites and True Move H for 2,000 3G-2.1GHz sites and 13,500 3G-850MHz sites.
This is the last year that TOT will receive revenue from concessions, as the Frequency Allocation Law requires it to pass on all concession revenue to the government via the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission starting next month.
TOT reported Bt4.83 billion of revenue including concession revenue in the first nine months of this year. But revenue without the contribution from concessions would be Bt21.74 billion.
It is also facing a drop in concession revenue, especially from AIS. Revenue from AIS has been dropping since August when Advanced Wireless Network (AWN), its subsidiary, launched 3G-2.1Ghz service, which saw AIS’s customers under its concession from TOT migrating to AWN’s network.
