3G connection fee to be 0.45 baht

The telecom committee of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission is expected next week to select a network-interconnection rate of 45 satang per minute per call for the 3G-2.1GHz cellular service, said an NBTC source.

The interconnection fee is charged by telecom operators when a subscriber calls from one network to another. If approved, the 45-satang rate for the three companies licensed to provide 3G service on the 2.1-gigahertz spectrum will be in place for one year. The committee will submit the rate for NBTC board approval soon and it is expected to become effective in March. - The Nation

Insurers eyed

Tune Ins Holdings, which is awaiting approval for its initial public offering scheduled for this year, is hopeful of acquiring some insurance companies in Indonesia and Thailand before penetrating other Asean countries in its bid to expand into the region.

CEO Peter Miller said the company was in discussions with certain insurers there, but nothing had been firmed up. - The Star/ANN



Samart sets target

Samart Corporation targets revenue of Bt30 billion and net-profit growth of 50 per cent this year.

President Watcha Wilailuk said yesterday that half or B15 billion of the revenue would come from ICT solutions, Bt11 billion from mobile multimedia, Bt2.4 billion from related business and Bt1.65 billion from utility services. - The Nation

Toshiba prices up

Toshiba Thailand Co has raised its prices by 3-5 per cent since the middle of last year to cover rising labour and material costs.

"We cannot say if we will increase prices this year, after the minimum daily wage has gone to Bt300 nationwide," vice president Natpong Areekul said at a press |conference yesterday. |- The Nation



CPF budget

Charoen Pokphand Foods set a budget of Bt12 billion for investment abroad this year and a revenue target of Bt700 billion in five years.

CPF is aiming for sustainable growth of 15-20 per cent per year. Its international operations account for 55 per cent of its consolidated revenue.

The company aims to boost sales by 15-20 per cent to Bt400 billion, Adirek Sripratak, president and CEO, said yesterday. - The Nation



'No M'sia impact'

The takeover of Fraser & Neave Holdings' Singapore-based parent, Fraser & Neave, does not have any immediate impact on its operations in Malaysia, CEO Ng Jui Sia said. - The Star/ANN