Thai state-owned operator TOT has reportedly shortlisted two companies interested in becoming private partners providing mobile services over its infrastructure.
The company has entered talks with AIS as well as Mobile LTE, the company set up to bid for the partnership, the Bangkok Post reported, citing an inside source.
According to the source AIS has presented the most attractive offer and is almost certain to become TOT's private partner.
Under the AIS proposal, the company will rent 80% of TOT's mobile network capacity, leaving the remaining 20% free to be leased to other companies.
On the record TOT has confirmed that the negotiations are down to to potential partners, but declined to name them. A decision on the arrangement could be reached as early as tomorrow.
TOT is seeking private partners to make use of its network infrastructure in order to replace the lost revenue as a result of the Thai telecom sector's transition from a build-operate-transfer concession model to a spectrum licensing model.
Mobile LTE recently withdrew its participation in the upcoming 900-MHz spectrum auction to focus its attention on its proposal to become TOT's partner. If the source is correct that the deal is likely to go to AIS, the future of the nascent company could be in doubt.