Thailand's AIS Launches 3G Network in 900Mhz Spectrum

Thailand's Advanced Info Service (AIS) has commercially launched its 3G network in Chiang Mai - and said that it plans to expand the service to Bangkok in mid-June. The company has however only been allowed by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to install 30 base stations for its 3G network. The company has already set aside US$600 million for the first phase of 3G mobile phone services.

A further expansion to Hua Hin, Chon Buri and Phuket is also proposed - but only if customer interest supports it. Late last year, AIS said that it plans to shift its focus in 2008 to maintaining its revenue share rather than increasing subscribers.

The new network is also HSDPA compatible - and runs on AIS's existing 900Mhz spectrum - not the more usual 2.1Ghz spectrum.

AIS and rival operators are waiting for the regulator to award conventional 3G licenses in the 2.1Ghz bands during the first half of this year. However, as 3G phones support viable video streaming, there have been disputes as to whether the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), which overseas TV services should be involved in the process. The argument seems spurious as it has been "technically" possible for even analogue phones to stream video services, albeit at very slow refresh rates.

Figures from the Mobile World report that AIS ended last year with just over 24.1 million subscribers - representing a dominating market share of 45.5%. AIS Chief executive Vikrom Sriprataks has previously said that the country's population penetration level is expected to reach 100% during 2008 with 64 million subscribers, up from 52.3 million by the end of last year.

Posted to the site on 10th May 2008