ICT Minister Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom has asked TOT, CAT Telecom and Thailand Post to examine their projects to see if there are any companies that have failed to complete work according to contract deadlines and their failures have affected the state agencies' revenue and business opportunities.

If they are blacklisted, the companies will be banned from bidding for new projects until they complete their delayed work.

"This measure is to urge such companies to finish the projects," he said.

His order is a response to delays by Siemens and Ericsson in completing the expansion 565,000 fixed-line telephone numbers around the country for TOT. The deadline for completion was last August.

Despite the delay, TOT plans to seek approval to pay an additional Bt750 million to both network suppliers as a result of requested changes to the installation.

TOT is yet to consider imposing penalties on the two companies for failing to meet their contract deadline.

Telecom Reporters

The Nation