State-owned CAT is refusing to enable DTAC’s 3G commercial roll-out unless the company agrees not to seek compensation amid the concession amendment dispute, according to the Bangkok Post.
In February, it was reported that, after three years, CAT had…
State-owned CAT is refusing to enable DTAC’s 3G commercial roll-out unless the company agrees not to seek compensation amid the concession amendment dispute, according to the Bangkok Post.
In February, it was reported that, after three years, CAT had finally given approval to the country’s second largest mobile operator, DTAC, to offer commercial 3G wireless broadband services. This followed a decision in December 2010 by CAT to allow DTAC to upgrade its 850MHz spectrum to HSPA for 1,200 base stations to provide non-commercial 3G services. Newspapers reported that the decision has been seen as an attempt to defuse criticism of CAT for its agreement with True Move to market 3G services.
But for several months now, CAT and DTAC have also been entangled in a concession dispute that dates back to 2007. Since late last year, both CAT and the other state-owned telco TOT have been searching for compensation from several local cellcos because of their alleged failure to pay the agreed price for mobile concessions.
If the companies fail to reach an agreement, some mobile operators might see their concession being withdrawn, the Bangkok Post explained. Hence CAT’s attempt to prevent DTAC from seeking compensation in case the latter loses its concession.
