dtac launches 3G in Thailand

The new service upgrade enhances user experience on dtac’s Internet network with faster and smoother data transmission

Towards becoming the best data network

Entailing continuous service improvement and network coverage expansion, the dtac 3G marks a major step for the company in reaching the goal of becoming the country’s best data network operator.

“The dtac 3G services is part of our ongoing commitment to provide customers with innovative solutions and services that will benefit their daily lives. It is a service enhancement that is offered at no additional charge to all our existing customers in the Bangkok area who have already subscribed to data services packages. We strongly believe that the 3G services on 850 MHz will benefit not only the Thai consumers, but also the Thai telecom industry and the country as a whole,” said dtac’s CEO Jon Eddy Abdullah.

Network to cover 40 provinces next year

“The launch of dtac 3G services reinforces the commitment of our continuous service improvement and network coverage expansion,” said Pakorn Pannachet, Senior Vice President – Products Division.

dtac has committed an investment plan to upgrade its network to 3G in 1,220 base stations and planned to increase the number of 3G base stations to 2,000, covering 40 provinces in 2012.

dtac subscribers who own a handset or device that supports 3G on 850 MHz band are entitled to the dtac 3G services and can use it in service areas currently covering Bangkok. Existing data service customers can enjoy the dtac 3G service with no additional charge.

“The dtac 3G comes out on top in terms of speed thanks to the ample 10 MHz bandwidth,” added Pakorn. “This means the network can accommodate higher concurrent users and provides speeds of up to 42 Mbps (mega bit per second) downlink-ranged. With thorough quality test conducted by both our staff and external specialist team, we are confident on the full readiness in serving customers, and yet we continue to adopt the latest technology with a view to improve the service quality to the level beyond customer expectations,” he said.

3G license on 2.1 GHz still needed

Although the 3G HSPA upgrade on the 850MHz band marks the beginning of exciting times for the Thai telecom industry, dtac still looks forward to the licensing of 2.1 GHz spectrum for 3G services, as a long-term solution.

” We believe the establishment of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) and the licensing of 2.1 GHz spectrum will take the industry to an even higher level and we look forward to working with the Minister of the Information and Communication Technology Minister and the NBTC in making this a reality” said Jon.

dtac and other key players were prepared to take part in the 3G license auction on 2.1 GHz last October, seeing it as a major step towards a level playing field. The plan, however, was cancelled after a state-owned operator challenged the acting regulator’s authority to conduct the auction. The forming of the NBTC, a new regulatory body, is expected to be completed soon.