'TOT3G' next-generation system due in November
The TOT3G next-generation wireless system will be ready for launch in 17 provinces by November and nationwide next year, says TOT Corporation.
The state telecom enterprise plans to launch a marketing campaign for the TOT3G brand tomorrow to help raise public awareness of the project.
The new system, based on the 1900- megahertz frequency and informally known as 3.9G, offers speeds as fast as 42 Mbps or an order of magnitude faster than the commonly used, pre-3G Edge network offered now by the major cellular providers.
This will be the second public launch of a 3G wireless system by TOT.
In December 2009 under then-ICT minister Ranongruk Suwunchwee, TOT announced 3G services using some 500 base stations in Bangkok as a pilot project.
End-user services were marketed by five companies acting as mobile virtual network operators using the TOT network.
A new network is being built for TOT under a 15.99-billion-baht contract awarded last month to SL Consortium, a partnership between Loxley and Samart Telcoms.The network will be the first in the country and only the 14th in the world to use the HSPA+ (High Speed Packet Access Plus) system.
TOT president Arnon Tubtiang said the new system would offer transmission speeds up to six times faster than the current 3G network.
Demand for high-speed wireless networks has jumped sharply with the popularity of the internet, multimedia applications and the use of smartphones and tablet PCs.
But the advent of next-generation networks in Thailand has been delayed for years due to political infighting, legal challenges to the legitimacy of existing regulators and policy reversals.
All three major cellular operators - AIS, DTAC and True - are currently offering limited 3G access under trials restricted under existing concession agreements with state telecom enterprises.
Mr Arnon said TOT planned to open its 3G system in 17 provinces by November.
Plans call for 1,772 base stations to be installed in Bangkok, Samut Prakan, Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani, with another 1,686 in Chon Buri, Rayong, Songkhla, Surat Thani, Phuket, Nakhon Ratchasima, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, Nong Khai, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phitsanulok and Lampang.
Another 1,314 stations will be installed in the remaining 59 provinces nationwide by the end of next year.
"TOT3G already has some 200,000 customers. We hope to boost this to 1.3 million this year and by an additional 7 million by 2015," said Mr Arnon.
Besides wireless internet, applications for the new network include videoconferencing, high-definition television transmission and online gaming.
Mr Arnon said the TOT board tomorrow would also consider a restructuring aimed at helping the company compete better in the future.
The changes will reduce the number of business groups to nine from 12. The mobile service business group, once one of the most important in TOT, will be merged with the wireless-USO (universal service obligation) group into a new wireless business group.
Bangkok Post
