NBTC seeks to relax regulations limiting foreign investment (Thailand)
Thailand’s regulatory authority, National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), is reportedly planning to relax the regulations limiting foreign investment in the telecom segment. According to reports, the commissioner of NBTC has scheduled a hearing on November 30, to consider whether the rules designed to protect the telecom sector from foreign dominance are at odds with Thailand’s free trade principles.
As per sources, the regulations introduced by NTC, the former regulator, were done in an attempt to protect the nation’s businesses and prevent international investors from increasing their holdings beyond the allowed limit of 49 percent.
However, reports reveal that the rules have been facing opposition by international firms as well as the domestic operators who claim that this would discourage investment in the telecom segment.
NTC slashes interconnection charges for text messages (Phillipines)
The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has cut down the interconnection charges for short messaging service (SMS) among telecom operators, in an attempt to provide users with more affordable rates for sending text messages. According to reports, the regulatory authority has ordered that the interconnection charge for SMS between two separate telecommunications networks should not exceed $0.003 (15 centavos) per SMS through its Memorandum Circular No. 02-10-2011. Consequently, the new rates will come down by $0.005 (20 centavos) from $0.008 (35 centavos).
As per sources, Gamaliel Cordoba, NTC Commissioner has said that the enactment of the new SMS interconnection rates was in line was in line with the provisions of the Public Telecommunications Policy Act of the Philippines, which seeks the establishment of fair and reasonable interconnection among public operators and other telecommunications service providers at reasonable and fair cost. He further said that the reduced SMS interconnection rate would translate to lower retail price of text messaging services and make the popular telecommunication services more accessible and affordable to a greater number of people throughout the country. Currently, telecom operators charge a rate of $0.002 (10 centavos) per text message within their network, however the rates for messages sent across different operators increase with the additional cost of the network receiving the text message along with the interconnection charge of $0.008 (35 centavos) per message.
Further, under the same circular, network operators were also ordered to ensure that they have the adequate facilities required to guarantee that 99 percent of the text messages reach their destination within 30 seconds of being sent. In order to achieve this, it is proposed that all networks involved in the interconnection should provide the required links or circuits to effectively handle their SMS traffic.
NTC extends Bayan’s mobile permit till 2013 (Philippines)
The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has extended Bayan Telecommunications permit to operate a cellular mobile telephone system (CMTS) till 2013. However, the Philippine regulatory authority has warned Bayan that it must continue to build out its mobile network over the next two years to avoid ‘stiff’ sanctions.
According to reports, a four-page order signed by the NTC commissioners states that in order to allow Bayan to continue building up its CMTS nationwide, it is recommended that its provisional authority be extended until November 3, 2013; subject further to the condition that should Bayan fail to continue building up its CMTS network within two years from date thereof, the provisional authority shall be deemed cancelled or revoked.
Bayan was granted provisional authority on May 3, 2000 which has been extended twice, up to November 5, 2005 and November 3, 2010. As per sources, Bayan claims they are currently working on a proof of concept with several vendors for LTE in order to utilize its allocated frequencies in the 1800 megahertz band. Bayan reportedly told the NTC on July 28 that it has commenced installing cell sites for CMTS services. To date, it has put up 428 cell sites nationwide and has signed up 178,552 subscribers for the wireless landline service.
According to NTC Director, Edgardo Cabarios, when Bayan was authorized in 2000, Extelcom questioned the authority before the Court of Appeals. During this time, Digitel was authorized to operate a CMTS network and started offering cellular service. Bayan could not offer anything because of a court case.
FAS clears Beeline acquisition of NTC (Russia)
Russian competition regulator FAS has given a clean chit for the acquisition of the regional mobile operator NTC by the mobile operator VimpelCom, working under the Beeline brand.
According to reports, applications from mobile operators MTS and MegaFon on the takeover have been rejected. NTC is controlled by Korea Telecom and it has a mobile market share of 40% in the Primorye region. The application of Beeline was approved by the regulator due to the modest market penetration in the region.
DPC seeks LTE testing permission (Thailand)
Thai mobile operator Advanced Info Service (AIS)’s subsidiary, Digital Phone Company (DPC) has reportedly asked its build-transfer-operate (BTO) concession issuer CAT Telecom for permission to test 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) mobile broadband technology.
According to sources, DPC is planning to test LTE equipment from Huawei, ZTE and Ericsson. Each vendor will require permission from the National Telecommunication Commission (NTC) before carrying out the tests, to be applied for in parallel to DPC’s request to CAT.
It is also reported that DPC will set aside as much as 10MHz bandwidth for the 4G trial, out of its total 12.5MHz of allocated 1800MHz spectrum. The test will be run for 90 days on seven or eight base stations in Bangkok.
MegaFon mulls to acquire NTC (Russia)
Russian mobile operator MegaFon is interested in acquiring the regional mobile operator NTC.
According to reports, the company is cautious about pursuing a deal, due to expected opposition from the national competition regulator FAS.
MegaFon’s market share in the region would exceed 50% if it acquired NTC. NTC operates in the Primorye region, with a subscriber base of 1.5 million. Korea Telecom, the owner of NTC, plans to sell the regional operator.
Philippine networks demand for additional radio spectrum
Philippine mobile networks are pressurising the telecoms regulator, the NTC to release an additional spectrum so that they can maintain mobile broadband network quality.
The call comes after the regulator rejected an earlier proposal to allow the operators to impose a limit on the amount of data a customer could download. It has been estimated that just one percent of their customers absorb 40% of the available broadband capacity.
According to Globe Telecom, they need additional frequencies for them to deliver an improved broadband service. They have been asking this from the NTC.
The regulator though states that it has nearly run out of available spectrum in the 2.3Ghz and 2.5Ghz bands, and all the available spectrum in the common 3G band, 2100Mhz has already been allocated. The companies also added that the spectrum blocks are fragmented which limits their use for mobile broadband services.
The regulator is currently considering proposals to release some of the 700 MHz spectrum for mobile broadband services.
Thai telecom regulator plans to auction 3G licenses by year-end
Acting National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commissioner Natee Sokonrat has stated that NTC is planning to conduct an auction by the end of this year for licenses to operate the frequency spectrum used for 3G mobile phone services.
According to Natee, NBTC is in the process of drafting master plans for the telecommunications industry and frequency allocation, which are expected to be completed by May, to pave way for the frequency licensing. The drafting of the master plan is an effort by acting commissioners to shorten the work process for a new set of commissioners, currently under selection.
A new law that will help establish the NBTC, an independent body to supervise Thailand’s telecommunications and broadcasting sectors, was enacted in December last year. While the NBTC has yet to be formed, the law stated that the existing National Telecommunication Commission (NTC) assumes the responsibility of NBTC.
Telecom New Zealand delivers Netcomm’s MyZone and the telecom turbo wireless router to the NZ market
NetComm Limited (NTC) and Telecom New Zealand Limited (TEL) announce the release of both the NetComm MyZoneâ„¢, a portable 3G WiFi router and the Telecom Turbo Wireless Router one of the fastest 21Mbps/HSPA+ mobile broadband router to connect to Telecom’s XT Mobile Network. These devices are set to deliver unparalleled access, superfast mobile Internet speeds and flexibility to New Zealand homes and businesses nationwide.
Telecom is the first New Zealand telecommunications carrier to supply a 21Mbps WiFi Router to the market. Both the MyZone and Telecom Turbo Wireless Router were developed in response to the trend towards mobile broadband connectivity.
Telecom Turbo Wireless Router will allow Telecom’s consumer and business customers to establish a wireless local area network for up to 16 WiFi, four wired and two USB 2.0 devices to connect and share multiple: notebooks, desktop PCs, USB printers and mass storage units.
The sleek credit card sized MyZonegives users the capability to simultaneously connect up to six wireless devices including: notebooks, tablets, cameras and gaming consoles to a single mobile broadband account from anywhere on the XT network nationwide. The device combines a 3G modem router, WiFi access point and long-life integrated lithium-lion battery into a single pocket sized unit.
“The launch of these products will transform the way the Internet is accessed in New Zealand by delivering widespread mobility and superfast mobile Internet speeds via the XT Network. This further secures Telecom‘s place at the forefront of 3G technological advancement and reflects NetComm’s continued development of solid alliances with leading international providers of mobile broadband technologies,” says NetComm’s General Manager, Danny Morrison.
“The launch of the Telecom Turbo Wireless Router is a significant milestone. We are proud to have introduced the first device of this kind to the New Zealand market in conjunction with the MyZone which combines the exceptional benefits of the XT Network with the latest in technological innovation. The release of these products reflects our ongoing commitment to providing customers with the most progressive 3G technologies,†says Telecom’s Business Device Manager, Matt Hampel.
The Telecom Turbo Wireless Router is an all-in-one modem router that contains four internal antennas (two WiFi and two 3G antennas) and connects to an external 3G antenna in rural areas. The user friendly MyZone weighs only 75g and connects to the XT Network that supports maximum data through put of 7.2 Mbps in downlink and 5.76 Mbps in uplink. Actual speeds vary and also depend on the number of connections to the routers. Both devices are equipped with advanced network security features.
Telecom Turbo Wireless Router
Available from Telecom stores and dealers – Business customers should contact their Gen-i client manager.
From $199 including GST on selected plans or $499 including GST for the device only.
NetComm MyZone
Available from selected retailers, Telecom stores and dealers – Business customers should contact their Gen-i client manager.
MyZone is $299 including GST by itself or free on selected plans.
Media enquiries to:
Stephanie Stewart, NetComm Communications Manager
Phone: +61 2 9424 2045 or email: stephanies@netcomm.com.au
Visit: www.netcomm.com.au
Emma-Kate Greer, Corporate Communications Manager Retail
Phone: +64 27 655 44 99 or email: emma-kate.greer@telecom.nz
Visit: www.telecom.co.nz
About NetComm Limited NetComm Limited (ASX: NTC) is a leading developer and manufacturer of broadband technology. With 27 years experience, NetComm develop a wide range of broadband products to facilitate worldwide networks. Its products are uniquely customized for each carrier requirement and designed to deliver reliable communications for consumer, business and industrial applications. With particular expertise in 3G/HSPA technologies, NetComm engineer world first 3G products that support evolving networks and deliver quality data communication products.
Thai Operators to Launch MNP in December
Thailand’s mobile network operators have confirmed that they will launch the delayed mobile number portability (MNP) service before the end of the year, but only in the capital city, Bangkok.
According to Suranan Wongvithayakamjorn, a commissioner of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), the service will be available only in some service centres of the telecom operators. Therefore, during the initial phase, those in the provinces who want to keep their mobile-phone numbers when they switch networks will have to travel to Bangkok to ask for the service.
He added that the telecom operators would gradually expand the MNP service nationwide soon. They will announce the full details of the service next week.
The country’s five operators are currently appealing against fines of US$5,500 per day for missing the already delayed August deadline.
