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Published on March 25, 2008

According to CAT, it posted a net profit of Bt7.69 billion last year after taking into account concession revenue and revenue from Hutch, which provided the Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) 20001-x cellular service in 25 provinces under CAT's marketing contract.

Hutch, a 25:65 venture by CAT and Hong Kong telecom giant Hutchison Telecom, has about one million subscribers.

CAT recorded total revenues of Bt47.418 billion last year, up from Bt31.28 billion in 2006.

Excluding the concession income, its revenue would be Bt21.121 billion last year, compared to Bt20.56 billion in 2006.

Excluding the concession revenue and revenue from Hutch, CAT would record only Bt19.222 billion in revenue last year.

CAT's chief financial officer, Jirayuth Rungsrithong, said CAT had to cover extra expenses of Bt1.9 billion last year, most of which was incurred in implementing an early-retirement plan.

Both TOT and CAT Telecom have been viewed by the telecom industry as relying too much on concession fees from private concessionaires and had failed to adjust to the intense competition during a time of market liberalisation.

CAT recorded concession revenues of Bt26.297 billion last year, up 145 per cent from 2006, while its overseas call revenue stood at Bt9.402 billion, down by 5 per cent from 2006.

Hutch generated revenues of Bt2.163 billion from CAT last year, up 4 per cent from 2006.

The state agency posted data revenue of Bt8.241 billion last year, up from Bt7.419 billion in 2006.

This year CAT projects net profit of Bt9.075 billion, total revenue of Bt47.977 billion and total expenses of Bt35.014 billion, Jirayuth added.

CAT president Phisal Jorpochaudom said the company would focus more on developing data services, which have signalled a trend of revenue growth.

Last week CAT provided wireless broadband data services, including the long-distance conference and the Internet calling via the WiMax mobile broadband technology in Chiang Mai by using equipment from ZTE and Motorola.

The testing cost is around Bt2 million.

CAT intended to roll out the WiMax network only in some major provinces, which is expected to cost the agency Bt500 million for equipment.

The National Telecommunications Commission has permitted around 13 companies to conduct WiMax trials for three months.

Usanee Mongkolporn

The Nation

Mae Hong Son