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Published on March 20, 2008

Commerce Minister Mingkwan Sangsuwan yesterday met with major cellular operators to discuss his policy to reduce airtime rates for those struggling to cope with the soaring cost of living.

The companies agreed to cooperate by producing 100,000 special SIM cards but want the ministry to handle their distribution to ensure they reach the ministry's target group.

Wichian Mektrakarn, president of Advanced Info Service, said telecoms are concerned that if they gave the cards to their dealers, the cards might not all end up in the hands of low-income people.

The parties would meet again in two weeks to decide which one would be responsible for allocation.

AIS will contribute 40,000 SIM cards, Total Access Communication (DTAC) 30,000, True Move 20,000 and Hutchison-CAT 10,000.

The SIM cards of AIS and DTAC will cost Bt49 apiece and charge 50 satang per minute from 6am to 5.59pm and Bt2 per minute outside of that period.

True Move SIM cards will be priced at Bt39 and charge 50 satang per minute from 5am-4.59pm and Bt1.50 per minute off period.

SIM cards from Hutchison will sell for Bt49 but offer calling all day long at the flat rate of 50 satang a minute.

The Nation