TOT, CAT could become 3G wholesalers - report

A Thai government committee has proposed that state-owned communications firms become national 3G network operators and end their retail roles so as not to compete with private operators. TOT and CAT Telecom could establish new subsidiaries to operate wholesale businesses, the Bangkok Post reports citing a source in the committee. The committee has thirty days to recommend a strategy for 3G mobile broadband services and finalise details on the finance ministry's proposal to change the concession scheme to a licensing scheme. A national 3G operator could provide competitive prices to operators and would cut duplicate investments, share fibre-optic infrastructure, cell sites, and switching equipment, according to the proposal. TOT and CAT would receive rental fees which would offset their current concession revenue fees.