Hutch offers free calls o retain clients

The joint venture between Hutchison and CAT Telecom hopes its number of subscribers will grow in 2010 if the economy improves. “We will be satisfied if we can keep our existing customer base at 1 million subscribers this year, given the worsening economic environment,” said the firm’s Vice president for prepay marketing and Corporate Sales Supavas Prohmvitak.”Our parent company in Hong Kong is happy and satisfied with our operating performance,” he said.

Hutch, in co-operation with three local mobile handset manufacturers, yesterday introduced a 1,500-Baht free-call promotional campaign. Customers, who purchase a G-net phone from Wireless Advance System, an I-Mobile from Samarth, or a Wellcom from Newell Corporation, will receive 250 Baht worth of free calls every month for six months.

“The campaign is expected to boost the local CDMA [an alternative mobile phone technology to the dominant GSM] market, targeting value-for-money customers,” said Mr. Prohmvitak.”Our, adding that the company planned to introduce strong marketing campaigns in every quarter this year.

Hutch markets CDMA services in 25 central provinces, including Bangkok, while CAT Telecom runs the CDMA network nationwide.

Mr. Prohmvitak.”Our said the limited network coverage is now Hutch’s sole obstacle in competing with GSM mobile operators, as more CDMA handset models are now available in Thailand.

Thailand’s mobile value added market worth is expected to decline this year on the back of shrinking domestic consumption.

However, Hutch still expects to maintain its revenues at last year’s level, with an average monthly spend per prepaid user of 300 Baht per month. Prepaid customers account for 60% of the firms total subscription base.