(Bangkok Post via NewsEdge) Thailand's telecommunications industry is expecting sluggish growth in 2008 with companies adopting a wait-and-see attitude, major mobile phone operators said.
The sector is also in transition, with major operators looking for clear government policies on long-delayed 3G mobile services from the regulator, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).
At an industry forum, heads of the three major mobile operators -- AIS, DTAC and True Move, agreed that regulators would be the number-one factor for sector growth.
Athueck Asvanund, vice-chairman of True Corporation, said the local telecom industry is locked in a waiting period, pinning hopes on issuing 3G licences.
He said regulators need to comply with the frequency allocation master plan, stating that 3G licences can be given out under the consideration of both the NTC and the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), which has not yet been formed.
Thana Thienachariya, chief commercial officer of DTAC, said the delay of 3G licences was likely to have a strong impact on the industry in 2008.
The mobile industry is expected to reach saturation next year, meaning that operators need to focus on 3G-based data communications services, he said.
He added that 3G licences would be granted by the end of next year at the earliest, with commercial operations starting in late 2009.
Thana supported the new telecom law that separates the industry policy guidelines to be overseen by the government from existing regulators.
Wichian Mektrakarn, the president of AIS was optimistic that the company would obtain a 3G license early next year.
Investment on 3G would begin in the middle of next year, the operators further said.
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