Briefs

The impending spectrum allocations in the second half will intensify telecom rivalries and shape competition in fourth-generation cellular service in Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia, Fitch Ratings says.
These markets are widely expected to announce spectrum details in a few months, as telecom regulators reallocate spectrum to meet fast-growing demand for data services.
Telecom operators are facing increasing challenges of high capital-expenditure investments and spectrum inadequacy, thanks to the proliferation of data services – driven by the availability of low-cost smartphones and the rise of Long-Term Evolution 4G services.
In Thailand, Advanced Info Service’s 1,800- and 900-megahertz spectrum acquisitions in November 2015 and May 2016 respectively have eased regulatory risk for the incumbent, although second-largest mobile operator Total Access Communication (DTAC) still faces spectrum uncertainty with its 2G concession expiring in 2018.

VGI REVENUE GROWS

VGI Global Media posted a 10-per-cent increase in revenue in its first quarter ended June to Bt551 million from Bt500 million in the previous quarter, one month after the acquisition of an interest in Master Ad. Surachet Bamrungsuk, chief executive officer, said yesterday that the company also enjoyed a 49-per-cent quarter-on-quarter surge in net profit to Bt313 million from Bt210 million.