The information and communication technology (ICT) minister is urging state telecoms and their concessionaires to end all decade-long disputes over mobile network transfers by September in a bid to pave the way for network sharing initiative.
Mobile companies may be banned from using the disputed networks to provide mobile service if state enterprises TOT Plc and CAT Telecom lodge their cases with the Civil Court, ICT Minister Pornchai Rujiprapa warned yesterday.
"If the disputed cases ever reach court, it could cause temporary disruptions in mobile service," he said.
The idea of sharing telecommunications infrastructure has been revived by the present government to facilitate the development of a digital economy.
TOT and CAT are on the verge of revising their business focus to comply with directives from the State Enterprises Policy Commission or superboard.
The superboard wants to form two new companies — National Infrastructure Co and Neutral Tower Co.
Creation of the two entities would be aimed at reducing redundancies in telecommunications network investment, which could result in lower service fees.
Mr Pornchai also said his ministry expected to select a financial adviser next month for the establishment of the two companies.
The adviser will study details relating to valuation of telecom network assets and business models for the two.
TOT and CAT have a combined 150,000 kilometres of fibre-optic networks nationwide and more than 30,000 cellular base stations under second-generation (2G) concession agreements, Mr Pornchai said.
CAT and TOT remain locked in arbitration with their concessionaires Total Access Communication (DTAC) and True Move.
There are 15 disputed cases between CAT and DTAC and seven between CAT and True Move.
Mr Pornchai said private operators had no intention of prolonging the disputes but wanted to ensure they could use network assets after the concession regime ended.
In another development, the CAT board on Monday released last year's operating results.
The state telecom posted a net profit of 1.99 billion baht on consolidated revenue of 57.7 billion.
Of the revenue, 24 billion baht came from the wireless business, 7 billion from data communications services, 3.6 billion from international direct dialling, 650 million from IT services and 15 billion from concession-related revenue.