(Bangkok Post via NewsEdge) Thailand's AIS will focus on mobile data services next year as it believes the market is ready for a full commercial take-up.
But the country's largest cellular operator said it would not focus on Wi-Fi services until the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) issues WiMAX licenses.
AIS has an extensive Wi-Fi infrastructure in many major commercial buildings in Bangkok but has tended not to promote the service as heavily as rival True Corp.
'The move [toward mobile data] is part of our new wireless business roadmap for 2007,' said Somchai Lertsutiwong, VP for the wireless service arm of AIS.
AIS recently appointed Sanchai Thiewprasertkul as chief marketing officer to oversee the wireless business under the umbrella of AIS, effective from December 1.
The establishment of the new independent position is aimed at creating wireless business synergy among the mobile application services of AIS.
They include Buddy Broadband operated by Advanced Datanetwork Communications, a joint venture with TOT Plc; wireless payment services offered by M-Pay, and the international Internet gateway services of Advanced International Network.
However, AIS has yet to get the licenses to offer the wireless broadband services.
© Bangkok Post
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