Wireless Federation

European firms eye TOT for MVNO services (Thailand, Europe)

On 01.30.12, In Mobile, By Editor

State-owned telecommunications company TOT is reportedly in talks with two European mobile operators to provide 3G wireless services as Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO). As reported by BP, Panthep Chamrasromran, Chairman, TOT has said that they have held discussions with the operators regarding their business plan and strategy, and are likely to arrive at a decision next month.

He added that the operators are looking to tie-up with TOT if the Thai operator continues with its nationwide 3G network coverage plan. Further, while the names of the two operators have not yet been disclosed, Chamrasromran has revealed that one operator is from Norway.

The Thai operator is currently involved in regrouping its MVNOs into three categories: strategic partners, conventional MVNOs and resellers.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: 3G • Europe • Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO) • Panthep Chamrasromran • Thailand • TOT

CAT Telecom plans to launch 3G services in January 2012 (Thailand)

On 11.29.11, In Mobile, By Editor

CAT Telecom, the state owned telecommunications firm in Thailand, is reportedly planning to launch its 3G services under the brand name ‘My’ by January next year. According to reports, the operator is also planning to present a proposal to its board members, allowing concessionaires to buy back their mobile network before the expiration of the contract.

As per sources, the ministry of Information Communications Technology (ICT) has permitted CAT to draft its network sales plan. Reports reveal that TrueMove, DigitalPhone and DTAC are operating services based on concessions from the state owned operator. TrueMove had reportedly made an offer of US$ 318.4 million for its mobile network, which was considered to be less by CAT.

The concession contracts for TrueMove and DigitalPhone are expected to end in 2013 whereas DTAC’s concession contract expires in 2018, after which they will have to transfer their networks to CAT Telecom as per the build-operate-transfer agreement.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: 3G • CAT Telecom • DigitalPhone • DTAC • Thailand • TrueMove

NBTC seeks to relax regulations limiting foreign investment (Thailand)

On 11.21.11, In Mobile, By Editor

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.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: foreign investment regulations • NBTC • NTC • telecom segment • Thailand

Telenor combines with Google to enhance Android adoption (Asia, Europe)

On 11.16.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Telecommunications giant, Telenor has entered into an agreement with Google in an attempt to increase Android adoption. According to reports, Telenor’s Android users will be able to access an updated range of apps on the front page of Android Market, pay for them apps via their mobile operator. This will also benefit local developers by increasing the accessibility of their apps while helping them increase their revenues.

As per sources, the deal is expected to be launched initially in Thailand, Sweden, Hungary, Malaysia and Denmark, early next year, and subsequently cover all of Telenor’s international markets. The deal comes as a result of the ever-increasing demand for mobile content across the European and the Asian economies.

Reports suggest that Jon Fredrik Baksaas, President & CEO, Telenor Group has said that this deal between Google and Telenor is designed to inject even more energy into the Android ecosystem. Most importantly, it means that millions of Telenor customers will experience easier access to more and richer mobile content, as well as flexible payment solutions.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Denmark • Android • Apps • Google • Hungary • Malaysia • Sweden • Telenor • Thailand

SingTel to raise stake in AIS to 23.32 percent (Singapore, Thailand)

On 11.07.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Singapore Telecommunications Ltd. (SingTel) may be planning to raise its stake in Thailand’s Advanced Info Service (AIS) to 23.32 percent from 21.27 percent for about US$ 260 million. According to reports, SingTel has said that that Shin Corp PCL will sell 61 million shares in AIS. As per sources, Shin Corp owns a 42.6% stake in Advanced Info Services.

Further, reports suggest telecom giant SingTel has said it continues to look out for investment opportunities in Asia and other emerging markets, and that it will focus on strengthening the operating and financial performance of its associates. SingTel also has a stake in other foreign mobile operators such as Bhart Airtel (India), Telkomsel (Indonesia), Pacific Bangladesh telecom, Globe Telecom (Philippines) and Warid Telecom (Pakistan).

As per industry reports, SingTel has over 400 million mobile customers across 25 countries.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: AIS • Bangladesh • India • Indonesia • Pakistan • Philippines • Singapore • SingTel • Thailand

China Mobile launches new daily data roaming package (Asia)

On 11.03.11, In Mobile, By Editor

China Mobile, the world’s leading mobile phone operator, has reportedly launched a new daily data roaming tariff package for its users. The company had earlier introduced a package offering reduced international roaming tariffs for voice, text messages and mobile data across 23 countries and regions.

According to reports, currently, the new tariff plan has been launched in Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Korea and Thailand, and is largely aimed at international travelers using their mobile handset to surf the internet. As per sources, customers subscribing to the daily data tariff package can access unlimited roaming data in specific operator networks for a daily fixed charge while roaming in any of the aforesaid places. Further, reports suggest that the per day charge for the service will be around $14 in Hong Kong as compared to $15.3 payable at the other places.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: China • China Mobile • Data • Hong Kong • Malaysia • Roaming • Singapore • Taiwan • Thailand

AIS to offer its customers 3G roaming this month (Thailand)

On 10.25.11, In Mobile Operators, By Editor

According to reports, Wichian Mektrakarn, CEO, Advanced Info Service (AIS) expects to offer their customers 3G roaming services on state-owned TOT company’s 3G network by the end of this month. He said that the number of AIS subscribers who would be able to roam on TOT’s network would be based on TOT’s 3G network capacity. Reports suggest that AIS initially expects to offer roaming to 500,000 customers on TOT’s network, with a maximum capacity of 2 million customers as compared to the previously agreed 60,000 initial customers with a maximum capacity of 1 million.

Sources claim that TOT plans to set up 3,500 base stations in 18 provinces, including Greater Bangkok by next month. Further, TOT reportedly expects the numbers of 3G users on its network to go up from the 200,000 to 1.2 million users by this year, and upto 7 million by 2015.

Filed under:Mobile Operators Tagged with: 3G roaming • AIS • Thailand • TOT • Wichian Mektrakarn

Thailand’s 3G plans may be delayed due to political reasons (Thailand)

On 10.14.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Thailand’s plans to sell 3G licenses for wireless services may be delayed due to politics, as reportedly said by Wichian Mektrakarn, CEO, Advanced Info Service Pcl (AIS), the nation’s largest mobile operator. AIS along with Total Access Communication Pcl and True Corp. Pcl, had started offering limited 3G services earlier in the year.

However, as per reports, Mr. Mektrakarn has said that they would not like to invest more of their resources in the 3G network until the government auctions licenses and sets rules for operating the service. He further stated that he believes there is still some kind of conspiracy or movement to try to stop or delay 3G. He claims that there are still a lot of obstacles and anything can happen in Thailand at this moment. Wichian has reportedly said that the three private operators are counting on mobile internet to spur revenue from users of smartphones such as Apple Inc.’s iPhone and Research In Motion Ltd.’s Blackberry. Data revenue accounts for about 19 percent of Advanced Info’s total turnover.

The share price of all these operators witnessed a decline. While AIS share price fell down by 2.3 percent to US$ 4, Total Access went down 2.7 percent to US$2.29 and True Corp. slid 5.1 percent to US$ 0.09.

As per reports, True Corp., Thailand’s third largest operator plans to build a 3G network by 2013 in a venture with CAT Telecom, the state-owned company that runs Thailand’s international telecommunications infrastructure.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: 3G • AIS • CAT Telecom • Thailand • True Corp • Wichian Mektrakarn

TrueMove H launches 3G services in Bangkok

On 08.31.11, In Mobile Operators, By Editor

TrueMove H, Thailand’s third largest mobile operator launched 3G wireless broadband services in Bangkok and 16 other provinces. The company launched the service under the slogan ‘Free You’ and plans to introduce five phases at a combined cost of $831.7 million. The spectrum using the high speed packet access (HSPA) technology, will offer the company WiFi internet speed capability of 8Mbps.

As per reports, CEO of Thailand’s True Corp, Supachai Chearavanont says that True will spend $6.6 million on an initial marketing campaign for TrueMove H, expected to be launched next month. The aim is to acquire 1 million users by year end as compared to the current customer base of 1 Lac. In its aim to be the market leader in 3G services, TrueMove H faces tough competition from Advanced Info Service (AIS) and Digital Total Access Communication (DTAC).

Filed under:Mobile Operators Tagged with: 3G • AIS • Bangkok • DTAC • HSPA • Supachai Chearavanont • Thailand • TrueMove H

Surprising drop in profits for SingTel, bogged down by regional units (Singapore)

On 08.11.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Southeast Asia’s largest phone company, Singapore Telecommunications Ltd. posted a decline in profits for the first quarter, attributed to lower earnings from regional businesses such as Bharti Airtel in India. The reports of drop in profits were rather unexpected.

The company’s net income slump 2.9 percent to $750 million from $776.42 million in the three months ended June; whereas market observers had predicted a rise in profits to $815.77 million.

In the wake of Bharti Airtel’s lower earnings for six consecutive quarters, in addition to the appreciation in the Singapore dollar against eight major Asian currencies this year, SingTel’s revenues from international markets have greatly slowed down. On the other hand, the Optus unit in Australia has positive news for the company. The Australian unit’s earnings saw an increase buoyed by currency gains and customers won from rivals.

The combined earnings from the company’s international partners that include Bharti in India and Africa, Telkomsel in Indonesia, Advanced Info Service Pcl in Thailand and Globe in the Philippines are worth $388.54, down by 10 percent as compared to last year.

While Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization from Singapore operations slumped by 4 percent to $466.74 million, in the wake of costs for the company’s mioTV service despite revenues increasing by 2 percent.

In contrast, Sydney-based Optus saw 1 percent increase in earnings to reach $568 million; attributed to new mobile customers joining the network.

Apparently, Vodafone Hutchison’s loss is Optus and Telstra Corp’s gain. The former had reported losing 375,000 customers in the six months ended June.

While Telstra, the biggest telephone company in Australia posted earnings for the second half that market observers’ forecasts on the back of new customer net additions in the mobile segment and also, cost cutting.

According to a statement released by SingTel, the company owns minority stakes in six operators with businesses across 25 countries, and has 416 million mobile phone customers

The company does own whole units in Australia and Singapore while minority stakes in operators across India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia.

India’ Bharti Airtel, of which SingTel owns a stake, posted a drop in quarterly profit by 27 percent; attributed to higher borrowing costs and the start of new services.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Australia • Bangladesh • India • Indonesia • operator • Pakistan • Philippines • Singapore • Thailand