The telecom regulator will consider on Monday if TOT can permit its concession holder Advanced Info Service (AIS) to roam for data service on the state enterprise's 3G network in Greater Bangkok.
The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) will call in both parties to give more information on Friday, acting NTC secretary-general Takorn Tantasit said yesterday.
AIS CEO Wichian Mektrakarn said AIS would see what develops on Friday before deciding on sending a formal letter of intent to TOT, informing TOT that it will disconnect TOT's 3G subscribers from roaming on AIS' network for voice service while travelling in the provinces.
AIS made the threat last week after TOT's board declined to grant its request to let its subscribers roam on TOT's 3G network for data service. The TOT board said the NTC TOT need to be consulted on the AIS request first before it could make a decision.
Takorn said one of many issues the NTC would examine is if AIS' data-roaming request amounted to an amendment to its concession from TOT.
AIS has sent many letters to TOT requesting data roaming. It sent a letter to TOT on December 22 of last year saying that it wants to test data roaming on TOT's 3G network. The letter was in response to TOT's letter to AIS sent on November 30 asking if AIS was interested in roaming on its network.
On January 20, AIS sent another letter to TOT again saying that it wants to roam on TOT's 3G network and it will collect the service charge from its customers for using the data service on TOT's 3G network on behalf of TOT.
It would also discuss with TOT the fee AIS would receive from TOT for collecting such revenue for TOT.
On January 22, AIS next sent a letter to TOT saying that it wants to roam on TOT's 3G network on a non-commercial trial basis. The trial roaming in the initial stage will cover its 50,000 subscribers.
On January 20, AIS sent a letter to consult the NTC if it would be excluded from bidding for 3G spectrum licences from the NTC in case it roams with TOT's 3G network to provide the service to its customers.
