Mobile phone operators compete in introducing 3G, 4G services in Thailand

BANGKOK, May 9 (TNA) - After Advanced Info Service Public Company Limited (AIS) has already provided its 3G service to mobile phone users on the 2100 megahertz band, TrueMove has launched the first 4G service in Thailand as of May 8. Supachai Chearavanont, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of True Corporation (True), told a press conference on Wednesday that True's 4G LTE system is also operated on the 2100 megahertz band, after it has already operated its 3G service on the 800 megahertz band under a concession of CAT Telecom Public Company Limited. Supachai acknowledged that True has obtained a licence from the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) to use the 2100 megahertz band and has installed its 4G system at over 2,000 base stations. According to the True CEO, the newly-introduced 4G service increases upload and download speeds of mobile phones by 3-5 times and will cover major business areas in Bangkok and other provinces by the end of this year, when the 4G system will then be installed at 5,000 more base stations to expand the coverage. TrueMove has already operated its 3G service via 13,000 base stations in Bangkok and all other Thai provinces nationwide. (TNA)