Thailand’s six largest telcos have signed an MoU to support the national broadband policy, according to local reports citing an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Ministry statement.
The six companies include state-owned operators TOT and CAT…
Thailand’s six largest telcos have signed an MoU to support the national broadband policy, according to local reports citing an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Ministry statement.
The six companies include state-owned operators TOT and CAT Telecom, as well as Advanced Info Services, Total Access Communication, Digital Phone and True Move.
The pact means that companies will look to encourage infrastructure and network sharing as well as fair network management and network usage fees, the reports wrote.
Earlier this month, the government approved the national broadband expansion plan drafted by the ICT ministry.
The plan aims to provide broadband coverage to 80% of the country’s population by 2015 and to 95% by 2020 with an internet access speed of 100 megabits per second.
This budget earmarks Bt 20bn (US$670m) for TOT and CAT, which will play a key role in the project.
Following the announcement, ICT minister Chuti Krairiksh told the two telcos to put their network investment plans on hold.
The operators, he said, must first provide a map of the planned networks in order to prevent duplication and to promote infrastructure sharing among private and state-owned companies.
