TOT trying to kickstart stalled 3G plan

       TOT may withdraw its revised 29-billionbaht 3G project from the cabinet and use the previous draft because the project appears to be stalled.
       Board spokesman Ratian Srimongkol said the state telecom enterprise submitted the revised 3G project to the cabinet several months ago but so far there was no sign it would be tabled for approval.
       The revised project calls for general bidding for the third-generation mobile service and local financing for flexibility.
       He said that as further delays in the 3G launch scheduled for Dec 5 could disrupt its business opportunities and marketing strategies, it would be better to use the original plan approved earlier by the previous government.
       The original plan allows TOT to seek international financing in the form of export credits and to call international bidding.
       TOT intends to upgrade 533 base stations of its subsidiary Thai Mobile so that it can start offering services by Dec 5, covering areas along the Airport Link route.
       He said TOT earlier feared international bidding could pose problems in documentation, as requests need to be in English and sent to the foreign embassies of all bidders.
       The process takes time to translate the documents. But the spokesman said such problems have been resolved and TOT was ready for such documents to be sent.
       If the revised project is withdrawn,TOT could use the original plan to call international bidding and seek foreign funds to launch its 3G project immediately.