Hutch sets CDMA 1X launch
Surapong to outline marketing policy by end of February
Komsan Tortermvasana
Hutch, the mobile phone service of Hutchison CAT Wireless Multimedia, has earmarked Feb 27 as the launch date for its CDMA 1X handsets which target middle- to high-income users.
The handsets would be supplied by Samsung and Sanyo, said Prajin Khaecharanant, senior executive vice-president of the Communications Authority of Thailand (CAT).
He said the Hutch service would be available in 25 central provinces.
Hutchison CAT Wireless Multimedia is a joint venture between Hong Kong-based Hutchison Whampoa and CAT.
CDMA 1X can be upgraded to third-generation mobile services, with speeds of one megabit per second.
He said the fifth mobile phone operator to enter the local market would differentiate itself from other operators by its data applications.
The handsets will feature colour screens on all models with functions now available in the high-end market which included multi-media services. Hutch will launch handsets with video-streaming capabilities next year.
Mr Prajin stressed that Hutch would not embark on a heavy promotional campaign like TA Orange but would be taking a slower, step-by-step campaign.
Hutch aimed to slowly ``infiltrate'' the market, he said. ``I have talked with friends of my age and so far have learned that there were about 200 bookings for the handsets for their relatives to use.''
Mr Prajin said the marketing of the CDMA service depended on a more comprehensive policy direction from the Information and Communications Technology Minister, Surapong Suebwonglee, who earlier said he would give a clearer policy on the CDMA project by the end of this month.
Nationwide, CDMA expansion will be launched by CAT alone, Nortel Network/Real Time placed the winning bid for the 32.7-billion-baht contract to build and lease the network outside of the initial 25 provinces to CAT.
The winning consortium obtains 27.5% of the airtime charge, provided it signs up 150,000 subscribers in the first year, 900,000 in the fourth year and retains the customer base throughout the 12-year lease contract. Nortel builds wireless networks and Real Time markets them.
In view of the high bid price, Dr Surapong delayed a final decision on whether to give CAT approval to lease the network pending other options: CAT operates by itself or through joint ventures.
Dr Surapong has said he needs further consultations with CAT executives before giving the go-ahead for leasing the network.
Mr Prajin said the cost of the project had not exceeded the earlier estimated price, but considering its 12-year leasing period and the interest of the minimum lending rate plus 2.25%, it appeared high.
A Hutchison CAT Wireless Multimedia official said the company did not place itself to compete in the low-end market because of the technology it employed. He added the handsets would not be cheap.
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