All mobile phone service providers will offer new promotional packages by March which will see callers charged on a per-second basis in a step which could overhaul the entire system in the future.
Mobile phone users will soon enjoy cheaper phone calls after mobile operators agree to new promotional packages by March 1. (Photo by Thanarak Khunton)
The agreement was reached in a meeting between the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) and Advanced Info Service (AIS), Total Access Communication (DTAC), True Move, TOT Plc and CAT Telecom Plc.
The meeting followed criticism of the NBTC on Tuesday by the National Reform Council for turning a blind eye to excessive charges by phone companies.
NBTC secretary-general Takorn Tantasith said after the talks the phone firms will come up with new campaigns by March 1 that will charge callers by the second instead of the minute. The new promotion will be a choice for phone users, he added.
"Phone users who want to switch to the new second-based promotion package can do it without charge," Mr Takorn said. "The NBTC has assigned all firms to look for ways for users with a one-year promotion package to switch to the new one."
The NBTC and phone firms will evaluate reactions from callers after the new promotion is launched, he said. But switching the entire system to the per second-basis charge would take from six months to one year, he added.