A new broadband-dedicated website - www.maxnetsquare.com - jointly promoted by TT&T and a local media firm, has vowed to make those moments a little more frequent.

TT&T, the provider of fixed telephone lines and Internet in 72 provinces, yesterday signed an agreement for a joint investment with Mono Technology in a website project which it hopes will build online communities for broadband Internet users and assist in its goal to increase the number of broadband subscribers from 120,000 to 300,000 by the end of the year.

Dr Soraj Asavaprapa, CEO of Mono Technology, said TT&T would provide a direct connection between its network and the maxnetsquare website, the results of which would be a much-improved streaming experience for broadband viewers when they watch rich media content on the Web. Mono group, meanwhile, would lend its expertise and content network to provide a unqiue "paparazzi-style" content.

"Our target is to have what you can't find elsewhere. It will be the 'paparazzi-style' content such as photos and video clips," he said.

The firm, Soraj said, is contacting student and indie groups to produce low-budget games, films and series which will have an exclusive showcase on the new site. There will be six content categories: movies and television, music, news, cute (fashion, education, photo postings), games, and horoscopes.

"Users will be able to watch video clips of our fortune teller who is working at our office," he said.

"Now everything we give is for free, except ringtone downloads. In the future we may be able to charge for some unique video news clips or some MP3 music once the copyright and legal issues are settled."

TT&T will provide marketing support with its 1.5 million base of fixed-line customers upcountry. Payment for services on the Web will also be convenient for customers as it can be bundled in their monthly phone bills.

Pichaya Changsorn

The Nation