True revamps management

True Corp has restructured its management with a view to further expansion of the group's businesses, chief executive Supachai Chearavanont said last week.

He said True Move was also requesting an additional 5MHz of bandwidth in the 800MHz spectrum from its concession-owner CAT Telecom, on top of the 5MHz the state agency granted the firm in June. The move is part of True Move's plan to develop 3G mobile broadband service.

True implemented the new management structure last week, which sees Supachai becoming managing director of True Move, besides being its chief executive.

Thiti Nantapatsiri has been promoted to the post of managing director of pay-TV operator TrueVisions. He was previously True's managing director for Home/Consumer Solution & High-speed Access.

Adhiruth Thothaveesansuk, who was True Corp's managing director for Office/SME Solution & Wireless Access, is promoted to managing director in charge of promoting the group's convergence strategy. He will still oversee the SME and wireless-access solution business.

Vichaow Rakphongphairoj is promoted to managing director of True Online business and chief operating officer in charge of the group's backbone network and engineering works. Earlier he served as True group managing director.

Songtham Phianpattanawit has been promoted as chief operating officer focusing on the group's IT network and call-centre business. Earlier he was managing director for corporate solutions, an area that he still oversees in his new post.

Papon Ratanachaikanont has been promoted to deputy chief commercial officer for retail, including the True Coffee restaurant business. Earlier he was CEO-assistant, focusing mainly on the True Coffee chain.

Supachai said he had taken the helm at True Move as it was at the centre of the group's convergence strategy. Besides, True Move might seek a strategic partnership in the future.

True Move last week announced the signing of an agreement with Apple to bring the much-hyped 3G iPhone mobile devices to Thailand in the coming months. Supachai said the 3G iPhone was a convergent device for which there was a high demand in the local market.

He believes True's recapitalisation programme will be successful.

The group recently announced a plan to raise Bt19.5 billion via a rights-offering. Part of the funds will be used to reduce debt and finance 3G-network investment.

He also expressed confidence in the Thai economy, given its strong fundamentals.