Thailand’s 3G auction delayed until 2012
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Thailand will have to wait for its 3G auction, scheduled to take place in the second quarter, for another two years. According to Wichien Mektrakarn, CEO of the country’s leading cellular operator AIS, country’s 3G auction may not take place until 2012 since the ratification of NTC board is still unclear.
AIS has already rolled out 3G services using its existing 900 MHz spectrum in Chiang Mai, Chon Buri and Hua Hin and intends to further the rollout of its 3G service in partnership with the TOT.
The delay is caused due to the failure of Royal Household in appointing the four new directors to the NTC.
Nepal Telecom refuses to return 2.4MHz frequency
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Nepal Telecom has refused to return 2.4Mhz of frequency as requested by the Nepal Telecommunication Authority. According to NT spokesperson Surendra Thike, the company is not in a position to return the frequency as they are necessary for NT’s quality service.
NT was recently requested by NTA to return 4.2MHz of spectrum within three months and other temporary frequencies within a year. After not getting any response, the regulator decided to stop it using 2.4MHz of frequency altogether. According to NTA, NT needs only around 28.8MHz of frequency and it is holding double the frequency than it actually needs.
Currently, 45MHz temporary and permanent frequencies in total are used by NT.
New bonds issued by Virgin media to settle debt
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: In a bid to refinance its main bank debt, €689 million worth of secured bonds will be issued by Virgin Media. Placement which has an eight-year maturity will be handled by JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs.
£3.1 billion (€3.44b) debt piling by 2012 has been anticipated by the UK cable carrier, as part of its net debt, totaling more than £4 billion. Heavy investment by Virgin Media in its broadband network in a bid to compete with British Sky Broadcasting and BT lead to the accumulation of such a huge debt.
Multi million pound tranches of bonds has been gradually issued by the carrier, the latest in November for the equivalent of £715m.
Motorola, Nokia sued by South Korean Agency
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Nokia, Motorola and several other mobile makers have been sued by the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI), South Korea’s state-run telecommunications research institute, over patent violations.
Patent complaints were filed by ETRI against a total of 22 cell phone makers last year. One additional suit was filed with a California court in August. Complaints have been made against violation of seven patents covering WCDMA technologies.
US$270 million is expected to be gained by the South Korean Agency in royalties if it wins the lawsuits.
TOT launches 3G network in Thailand
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: The launch of 3G network by Thailand’s state-controlled mobile network TOT got a cold response from the subscribers. However, initially the network will be available only in Bangkok and the areas surrounding it. Expansion of the network in the near future relies on the auction of the 3G license.
National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) will offer four licenses- three of 10 Mhz and a fourth with 15Mhz of radio spectrum while the reserve price will range between US$100-US$200 million. The process will not take place until next year as there is a lack of executives to form a quorum.
Small trials of 3G networks are already run by the current operators over their existing GSM radio spectrum, while CAT Telecom which is a CDMA operator, is seeking an overseas investor to assist in 3G rollout plans
Loxley partners MPG for wireless broadband service on TOT (Thailand)
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: In order to enhance the operation of its mobile virtual network, Loxley announced its partnership with UK-based Mobile Partners Group (MPG). MPG will provide 3G-2.1GHz wireless broadband service on TOT’s network in greater Bangkok.
Established in 2006, MPG’s purpose was to simplify mobile-service set-ups with selected partners. At present, it also enables brand names or companies that want to enter the mobile business as either an SP (service provider) or MVNO (mobile virtual network operator).
Loxley, 365 Communication, Samart I-Mobile (SIM), IEC and M Consultant were selected by TOT to provide 3G-service on an MVNO basis for its Bangkok network.
Loxley is investing Bt40 million on related systems and will run the service under i-KooL 3G brand. The company aims to lure about 30,000 customers as well as break even within 18 months.
According to executive vice president of Loxley, Suroj Lamsam, Loxley’s 3G services would enhance its close-circuit TV system management, existing IT solutions on fleet management, as well as electricity including water-meter management. All these services are offered to state and private enterprises.
