ICT Minister Sitthichai Pokaiyaudom yesterday said the telecommunications network would soon be obsolete and needed upgrading to keep pace with the private sector, which was investing in new technologies.

The government will spend Bt20 billion developing the mobile network, and another Bt15 billion improving CAT's CDMA communications link, which allows different forms of data to be sent via one connection.

Sitthichai said it would encourage Thailand to progress technically by making fast 3G technology available to the masses. "Even the planned improvements are not as good as a full 3G network but it will still be an up-to-date network," he said.

He said the ministry hoped that in five years, Thais would be able to carry only a small computer or mobile phone to access many services. "We believe people will not be charged for their phone calls but instead just pay one charge for using a data and voice provider," he said.

This, he said, would inspire the private sector to invest more heavily, paying the government to use the network.

He said the ministry planned to increase broadband subscribers from 700,000 to 1.4 million next year and 5.6 million in 2009. Charges should fall to Bt300 per month.

Asina Pornwasin

The Nation