DTAC Invests 100 Million Baht for 3G Trial in Bangkok

The trial will give 2,000 selected customers free 3G mobile broadband though DTAC air-cards for notebook computers with the limitation of data volume to five gigabytes per month. The first phase of the trial features 18 base stations covering Chulalongkorn University, Pantip Plaza, MBK, Siam Square, Sam Yan and Chamchuri Square. DTAC has upgraded the analogue 850 MHz to high-speed access (HSPA) technology to provide data service at the initial stage. Moreover, DTAC 3G has a theoretical top speed of 7.2 Mbps, but would, actually, average 5-6 Mbps.

DTAC CEO, Tore Johnsen, said that DTAC is currently focusing on wireless internet over notebook computers to capitalize on demand for data usage. DTAC saw a 25% increase in data revenue the first half of this year, compared with the same period last year.

Tore said, "We believe the real value coming with 3G is its ability to offer consumers a wider and better high-speed internet access, now being limited to fixed-line solutions or Wi-Fi hotspots. We intend to build 3G networks on both the analogue 850 MHz and 2100 MHz bandwidths.”

Johnsen continued that DTAC was very confident of achieving a target of 12 billion baht this year, following an internal restructuring and cost controls; although revenue growth is not necessarily important in light of current economic circumstances. The only expectation was for the mobile industry to only edge up in the fourth quarter and the industry to have only 3-4 million new subscribers this year, compared with 9 million last year.

Moreover, very importantly, Johnsen denied the rumors that Vodafone aims to take over DTAC and explained that DTAC has only signed a co-operation agreement with the British operator on international roaming and business solutions.

Mr. Roar Vic Andressen, Senior Executive for Strategic Management revealed that DTAC was Thailand’s first 3G through notebook computers provider, in which internet users can use the 3G service anywhere in all aspects of commercial and personal applications.