(Bangkok Post via NewsEdge) Thailand's CAT Telecom approved deep cuts in its earlier proposed interconnection rate by 35% to 85% in an attempt to encourage more telecom operators to use its international networks for connections.
The new rates will be submitted to the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) this week.
Earlier, CAT Telecom had proposed an interconnection rate of rate of 1.07 baht ($0.029) per minute for origination, termination and transit rates.
The new rates are 0.69 baht ($0.019) per minute for both origination and termination, a 35% drop, and 0.16 baht for the transit rate, or 85% lower than the earlier rate.
CAT president Phisal Jorpoocha-udom said that increased competition forced the company to lower rates.
He was confident that the new rates would encourage more operators, both old and new, to use its network for overseas connections. If more calls pass through CAT's network, then people will benefit in terms of lower service prices, he said.
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