After decades of delay, 3G service on the international standard 2.1-gigahertz frequency has finally come to Bangkok, Phuket, and 18 other major provinces, on AIS’s 3G network of 5,000 base stations.
A spokesperson for AIS confirmed to The Phuket News on Wednesday (May 8) that the service was now operating in Phuket.
Other provinces where people can access the new network include Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathumthani, Samutprakan, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Prachuab Kiri Khan, Ayutthaya, Petchburi, Songkla, Surat Thani, Nakorn Sri Thammarat, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, Chonburi, Rayong and Pitsanulok.
All 3G supporting mobile phones in the market can use the new 2.1-gigahertz 3G immediately, but must first sign up by contacting their service provider.
Third-ranked operator True Move rolled out its full commercial 3G service on the 2.1-GHz frequency on Wednesday while number two DTAC was due to announce its plans on Thursday (May 9).
The moves mark a significant turning point in Thailand’s telecommunications history, bringing an end to the decades-old concession regime and highlighting what looks to be a permanent shift in the country’s mobile landscape.
The country’s existing 82 million 2G mobile users with 3G-enabled handsets can now sign up for 3G services on the 2.1-gigahertz band, using the same mobile number.
3G technology allows fast data transfer at a maximum speed of 42 Mbps, about 300 times faster than the 2G system.
The biggest benefits of 3G are high-definition voice clarity and high-speed internet data transmission.
AIS chief executive Wichian Mektrakarn said the company, through its subsidiary Advanced Wireless Network, spent four months installing 5,000 3G base stations in 20 provinces, giving the network the capacity to handle 10 million users.
Network coverage will rise to 70 per cent of the population by year-end, and 90 per cent by mid-2014 under AIS’s B70 billion 3G network expansion project – two years ahead of the regulatory deadline.
AIS has set up three carrier frequencies – 900-, 1800- and 2100-MHz – to serve densely populated areas.
“Up to 800,000 of our existing 2G customers have already shifted to 2.1-GHz 3G service,” said Mr Wichian, as the service was launched four months ago when the licence was awarded, but was launched commercially yesterday.
“We aim to have 15 million customers using our 3G this year.”
AIS now has 36 million customers using 2G services on the concession-based frequency.
Mr Wichian acknowledged that not all current tariffs of AIS are in compliance with regulatory requirements, with subscribers offered a choice of a 15 per cent increase in capacity instead of a 15 per cent discount on the tariff as set out by the guidelines for the three largest 3G operators.
Current 2G subscribers on the AIS network are not required to change their mobile number if they wish to upgrade to 3G coverage.
Those who plan to subscribe to 3G on the 2100-MHz frequency will have tariff packages starting at B299, the most economical AIS option now available.
It is not known when Thailand will be able to introduce the next generation of communications – 4G – which has been up and running in several countries in the region for a number of years.
– The Bangkok Post/The Phuket News