Advanced Info Service will talk with its state-concession owner TOT today in an effort to find a way out of their conflict related to third-generation networks, which has led to threats to disconnect subscribers' roaming capacity.
AIS chief executive Wichian Mektrakarn said vice chairman Somprasong Boonyachai would discuss the dispute with TOT chairman Teravuti Boonyasopon.
AIS sent a letter to TOT yesterday saying it would disconnect TOT's 3G subscribers from roaming with its network for voice services in the provinces.
The move came after TOT's board considered an AIS data-roaming request last week and concluded it had to consult the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) before permitting AIS's subscribers to receive data services while roaming on its network, which is subject to a licence granted to TOT by the NTC.
Last Friday, AIS said the disconnections would begin yesterday, but Wichian said the TOT-AIS network roaming agreement had a provision requiring AIS to inform TOT of any disconnection seven days before it came into effect.
AIS has proposed a maximum of 100,000 of its subscribers roam with TOT's 3G network and recently announced the data roaming could begin yesterday.
TOT asked three NTC commissioners yesterday whether it could grant AIS's data-roaming request, and the commissioners agreed the matter would be considered by the NTC board as soon as possible.
The NTC board convenes every two weeks.
TOT chairman Teravuti yesterday said TOT was willing to talk with AIS and TOT's five 3G service-provider partners to seek a win-win solution for all jointly.
He said he believed AIS would not really make the disconnection.
AIS recently said under the existing roaming deal, AIS would allow TOT's 3G subscribers to roam with AIS's network for voice service in the provinces. In return, TOT would allow AIS's subscribers to roam with TOT's 3G network for broadband wireless access.
If TOT must consult the NTC on AIS's data-roaming request, then AIS will also have to wait for the NTC to give its opinion on the matter to TOT before continuing to provide voice roaming to TOT's 3G subscribers, it said.TOT launched its 3G network in the greater Bangkok area last December. It has selected five companies - Samart i-Mobile, Loxley, 365 Communications, IEC and M Consultants - to provide 3G services on its network on a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) basis.
An MVNO is a company that does not have its own network and has leased the network and airtime of another company to provide cellular service.
At present, TOT's 3G network has about 10,000 subscribers. TOT says its 3G network has a data capacity of 400 megabits per second. AIS has requested 375 Mbps.
