Five telecom operators have submitted second-round proposals for a business partnership with Thai operator TOT. The bidders include Advanced Info Service (AIS), True, Loxley, Samart and Mobile LTE. More than one strategic partner may be selected, since TOT has six core businesses, The Nation reports, citing TOT spokesman Nattawut Amornvivat.
These business areas are telecom infrastructure, telecom towers, international gateways and submarine cables, mobile-phone service, fixed-line telephone and broadband internet service, and information technology services.
In December 2013, state-owned operators TOT and CAT Telecom, started passing all of their concession revenue, which had been their main source of income, to the state, as mandated by the Frequency Allocation Act. TOT forecasts a loss of nearly THB 1 billion this year after posting a profit of THB 1.95 billion in 2014.
AIS is interested in a partnership with TOT that would cover five businesses areas, namely mobile, towers, other infrastructure, international gateways and landline broadband. True's proposal covers six areas, including internet data service. Mobile LTE’s offer includes provision of 3G mobile broadband services on the 2.1-gigahertz spectrum under as MVNO. Targets 12 to 15 million subscribers, Mobile LTE would be willing to invest in a 4G network for TOT and would allow TOT to hold 25 percent of the company.
