'Big three' told to slash fees ahead of 3G services

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'Big three' told to slash fees ahead of 3G services

Published: 23 Oct 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

The three 3G bid winners must slash charges for voice and data services by 15-20% before they can start providing 3G services, the broadcasting and telecom regulator said yesterday.

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) announced the "statement of intention" to help calm public concerns that the auction held last week for the 3G spectrum unfairly rewarded private operators at the expense of consumers and the state.

NBTC chairman Thares Punsri said the regulator would put strict measures in place to protect the public interest before the spectrum is allocated.

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bula
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Discussion 6 : 23 Oct 2012 at 11.346
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Sorry, my posting #4 should begin as "I think NBTC should not dictate... "
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mogy71
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Discussion 5 : 23 Oct 2012 at 09.055
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Oldairman, you are so correct. My kids private school hiked their rates for the next year by 3% a few years ago the day after it was announced on the BP that the cost of living had reduced by 3% for the previous year. Fuel pump prices are another example of all take and no give. All compans are the same here.
However the NBTC says' if the charge is reduced by 15%, the savings for users would amount to 54.8 billion baht a year, or 822.8 billion baht over the 15-year licence period' - at least it'll cover 3-4 years of the rice pledging monster.
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bula
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Discussion 4 : 23 Oct 2012 at 08.494
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I don't think NBTC should not dictate how much telco should charge its potential subscribers. It should have regulations on quality of services and products. Needs and market conditions and forces will make pricing structure competitive for those who can afford. Service providers should not be punished for the mistakes of the regulators.
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swangtal
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Discussion 3 : 23 Oct 2012 at 08.103
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@oldairman
At least I get the benefit from this policy, for once. I don't see how the companies would lose money though. By the time they implement any of the cuts (if they in fact make a cut instead of throwing in useless extra stuff and say "there's your discount"), the "normal price" would've already been raised, and we'd be back to this exact same price, if not higher.

Realistically though, I think our cellphone charges are already quite competitive compared to everywhere else in the world. I wouldn't mind if it stays about the same. The service does leave a bit to be desired, but what else would I use as an excuse if I don't pick up?
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oldairman
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Discussion 2 : 23 Oct 2012 at 07.402
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Of course reducing charges to the customer is a good idea but it also means less revenue to the government too and they will be screaming about that soon.
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Aussie John
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Discussion 1 : 23 Oct 2012 at 04.311
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You really think these companies are going to loose present level profits in order to bring savings to customers. This is Thailand your talking about....
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