AIS needs time-out ahead of 2009 plan

Executive vice president Somchai Lertsutiwong said yesterday that AIS had finished drawing up the business plan, but it needs to review the economic situation, which is still hard to predict after the recent one-week seizure of the country's main airports.

He added that AIS also needed to see the policy direction of the new government.

Meanwhile, the company yesterday announced plans to spend Bt30 million on organising a concert in Siam Square area on December 27 to celebrate the festive season.

AIS has more than 26.8 million subscribers, while Total Access Communication (DTAC) has over 18 million and True Move around 12 million.

Telecom analysts forecast that the sector will post slight revenue growth next year in line with the flagging economy. However, it will still perform better than many other sectors, given that telecom service is a basic need.

AIS's share price yesterday closed at Bt75, up by Bt1 from Friday, while DTAC closed at Bt29.25, down from Bt29.50. Shares of True Corp, the parent of True Move, closed at Bt1.39, up from Bt1.32.