Thai telecom executives sought out the latest technology and the hottest industry trends at the 3GSM World Congress in Barcelona last week as part of their plan to provide faster connections and new services to consumers.

Among the local captains of industry attending the event were Somprasong Boonyachai, chief executive of the Kingdom's largest cellular operator Advanced Info Service (AIS), and Sigve Brekke, chief executive of the No-2 operator Total Access Communication (DTAC).

The fair attracted about 60,000 visitors, with 1,300 companies showcasing new telecom and multimedia technologies such as 3G (third generation) and WiMax (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) wireless broadband cellular systems, as well as mobile TV.

Somprasong said that though Thailand had yet to issue 3G licences, the fair presented a good opportunity to get in tune with the latest trends and meet executives from the world's major telecom operators and network suppliers.

"It makes it easier for us to make decisions on which technologies we'll select or move toward," Somprasong said.

AIS will spend about US$500 million (Bt17.8 billion) this year on network expansion

DTAC will invest Bt30 billion over the next three years on expanding and upgrading its network.

True Move, meanwhile, has set aside up to Bt12 billion for network roll-out this year.

The three major cellular operators are waiting for the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to issue 3G licences

The NTC itself is waiting to act, as the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has not yet been established.

The frequency-allocation law mandates both bodies to jointly manage telecom and broadcasting frequencies and prescribe their uses.

However, in November 2005, the Central Administrative Court nullified the selection of 14 candidates for NBC seats.

The court cited the unconstitutionality of the selection process.

Piroon Paireepairit, True Move's executive in charge of multimedia service, said his company was interested in mobile-TV service but such an operation required a 3G network to deliver it at fast speeds.

He said it was still unclear whether the company should apply to the NTC or the NBC for permission to launch a mobile-TV service, which is a convergence between telecom operation and broadcasting service.

AIS currently has three main network-suppliers - Nokia, Ericsson and Huawei Technologies - while DTAC has Nokia as its sole supplier.

Alcatel is True Move's main network-supplier.

Brekke said DTAC was considering adding Ericsson as a further network supplier.

It is mulling whether to pick the Swedish maker's network equipment for the planned expansion of its conventional network or its investment in a 3G network.

Usanee Mongkolporn

The Nation

barcelona, Spain