April, april - snart blir kommer 3G om bara regeringen vill!
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TOT: 3G by April 2011
Published: 30/09/2010 at 04:57 PM
Online news: Telecommunications
State-run TOT Plc plans to provide 3G broadband services by April next year, TOT managing director Warut Suwakorn said on Thursday.
"TOT is now procuring the network equipment and the setup is expected to be complete within three months," Mr Warut said.
He said the service should be launched within six months, as set by the Information and Communication Technology Ministry.
Krung Thai Bank had initially offered to provide financial consulting services to TOT, while Kasikornbank had offered to provide loans to the state telecom enterprise.
TOT was also considering obtaining foreign loans from Standard Charter, Barclay and Ericson State banks.
"A positive thing about getting foreigns loans is that they are low interest and the payment period is seven years. However, the baht's value is always changing," Mr Warut said.
The managing director said his company would welcome an alliance with Advance Info Service (AIS) in the 3G project and take part in the marketing strategy as a virtual network operator (VNO).
ICT Minister Juti Krairiksh said TOT's 3G project had immense benefits and the procurement needed to be examined thoroughly while the auction must be open to all bidders.
"The first 3G base station must be operational before April next year," Mr Juti said.
He said the ministry wanted TOT to allow foreign firms that do not have offices in Thailand to take part in the auction, so foreign investors can bring in their money to the country immediately.
On CAT Telecom Plc's 7.5 billion baht plan for Hutchison CAT Wireless Multimedia Ltd, Mr Juti said he had instructed CAT Telecom chief executive officer Jirayuth Rungsrithong to hold talks with Hutchison and submit a proposal to the cabinet within one month.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/telecom/199021/tot-3g-by-april-2010