3G finally comes to Thailand: Overview of latest developments
Approaching the end of January is not traditionally the time to look at back at New Year’s predictions, but in the case of Thailand and 3G, convention and sense tend to go out the window.
In my predictions for 2011 in Thailand I optimistically wrote that I hoped for “progress” with the process of getting 3G rolled out in the country… well progress has certainly been made after a hectic couple of days saw two 3G deals inked in quick succession. There’s probably a line there about waiting for buses, but rather than going there here’s a look back at events from last week.
What’s important to note is the overall auction did not take place last week, instead state owned operations CAT and TOT made agreements (albeit one used an auction, ironically) to upgrade their 2G networks to 3G and lease out the newly formed network to existing Thai operators as MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators), which are mobile companies using rented ‘space’ (aka network).
