3G operators seek 32 million phone numbers from regulator
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Three 3G-2.1GHz operators have requested 32 million phone numbers to serve high demand for wireless data services, according to a source at the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission.
Advanced Wireless Network (AWN), a subsidiary of Advanced Info Service (AIS), asked for 14 million numbers; dtac TriNet, a subsidiary of Total Access Communication, requested 10 million; and Real Future of True Group asked for 8 million.
The three started out with 26 million numbers on the day they won the 2.1GHz licences last December, with AWN assigned 14 million, dtac TriNet 8 million and Real Future 4 million. Soon, Real Future asked for 6 million more numbers, which it has received.
The numbering plan committee of the NBTC will consider how many new numbers it will grant to them based on their marketing plans and their mobile phone number sales in the past and their network expansion plans.
AWN reported that it would reach 10,000 sites this year, while dtac TriNet will achieve 5,500 sites and Real Future 2,000 sites.
AIS has quickly expanded its 2.1GHz network as it has no other 3G networks, unlike DTAC and True, which run 3G services on their 850MHz legacy networks. DTAC has 5,200 sites and True 13,500 sites.
The NBTC source said Real Future requested 8 million numbers to serve the planned migration of the users of TrueMove to its own network, as TrueMove’s concession expired on September 15.
TrueMove has said it would finish moving all remaining 14.5 million users out of its network within four months by porting them to other networks and then by offering new phone numbers with attractive promotions by Real Future and Real Move to its users.
Real Move, another subsidiary of True, resells a 3G-850MHz service for CAT Telecom.
AWN has reported that it has about 12 million subscribers, while dtac TriNet has 5 million and Real Future 700,000.
But True Group has 7 million 3G users in total. Most are with Real Move.
The NBTC believes that Thailand would be the fastest country to switch off 2G services.
The regulator had expected that would take five to six years but the new 3G services have taken off, with reports that more and more users are upgrading to 3G.
