• 
• 

Published on July 18, 2007

"If we adopt the interconnection charge, we'll have a huge burden, since our network's outgoing call traffic exceeds incoming traffic," Asia Wireless Communication general manager Saharat Khanongsilp said yesterday.

But since TOT has yet to adopt interconnection regulations, PCT does not need to pay interconnection charges to anyone. Asia Wireless Communication runs PCT for True, which received the PCT concession from TOT.

Users pay only Bt400 a month for unlimited calls and air time to telephone or mobile phones.

The interconnection regulations of the National Telecommunications Commission require all telecoms to share voice and data revenues on a proportionate basis from call involving their networks. Most operators have agreed on rates .

PCT made a splash in 1999 by offering lower call rates than did mobile-phone services. But its popularity has declined following the heavy price war among cellular operators, which also have nationwide networks. PCT covers only Greater Bangkok.

PCT has 290,000 subscribers, down from 320,000 at the end of last year and 440,000 early last year. About 60 per cent are teenagers, while SME customers are on the rise. It has reported average monthly revenues per subscriber of Bt240, up from Bt200 last year.

Usanee Mongkolporn

The Nation