Published on June 24, 2005

Siemens is laying the groundwork to be a big player in the 3G market once the National Telecommuni-cations Commission issues licences for the advanced mobile-phone technology.

“We have experience in rolling out 3G both in Europe and the US. Now, we’re talking to customers about the possible network architecture. Also, we would like to talk to the NTC to contribute our experience to them,” Peter Klimt, the new executive vice president and head of Siemens (Thailand)’s communications group, said yesterday.

Third-generation broadband cellular technology enables 3G phones to receive and transmit powerful multimedia content, such as live video streaming.

Siemens is also looking at WiMax, a technology that enables the delivery of last-mile wireless broadband access as an alternative to cable and DSL.

“We’re preparing for both 3G and WiMax. It’s all up to our customers,” Klimt said.

Klimt came from Siemens in China to replace Christian Onselaere, senior vice president of Siemens Information and Communication Networks, who is taking up a new position in Belgium.

Onselaere said Siemens had positioned itself to make good progress in recent years by covering the infrastructure, enterprise network and mobile-phone businesses.

“We can focus a bit more on infrastructure while the 3G business is in good shape. So, we are preparing for the future,” Onselaere said.

The “next generation network” – or NGN – is another business that he believes has potential to grow.

NGN is a technology that helps seamlessly blend the three existing networks – telephone, cellular and Internet – to create a single multi-service network.

Suchalee Pongprasert

The Nation

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