According to a local media report, Thai cellco DTAC is preparing to launch commercial 3G mobile broadband services in Bangkok in the first quarter of next year. $36million first phase will cover the capital in the first quarter of 2009 with a network spanning 700 to 800 base stations using the 850MHz frequency band and focus on wireless broadband services available on laptops. A second phase would cover Greater Bangkok as well as the populous provinces of Chon Buri and Phuket, followed by a third phase expanding coverage nationwide. DTAC’s CEO Sigve Brekke said that he did not expect 2100MHz UMTS frequencies to be allocated until late 2009, given Thailand’s delays in establishing a new broadcasting and telecoms regulator. AIS leader of the mobile market is already operating G mobile services over a small-scale W-CDMA network using the 900MHz band.

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