Bangkok Broadband deployment delayed..........................
nikkeibp.com
Chris Burslem, Bangkok
BKK Broadband Network Hitting Financial Snags
TelecomAsia Corp Plc's (TA), a subsidiary of the Chareon Pokphand Group, grand scheme to build a cutting edge multimedia network in Bangkok appears likely to be delayed as the company struggles to raise the necessary capital amid an economic downturn in Thailand.
Publicly, TA officials say they are confident work on the Bt20 billion scheme will begin early in 1998 but privately they concede finding the credit in a tight market is proving difficult.
The network, to be based on hybrid fiber coaxial technology, will allow service providers to offer cable TV, broadband internet services, video conferencing, teleshopping, tele-medicine, video-on-demand and a host of other multimedia services.
Vallobh Vimolvanich, a TA director said Asia Multimedia Co, as the company that operates the network will be known, will provide services that will benefit both business and society, such as long distance learning and telebanking.
Technically, the network is a mixture of hybrid fiber optic coaxial lines that can operate radio signals in the range of 5MHz to 750MHz, and which are capable of handling both analog and digital transmissions.
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Connecting 2M Homes, Firms
Once up and running, the network will connect two million households and businesses in Bangkok. Nearly all of the lines will be installed by TA, the largest fixed-line telephone concession operator in Thailand.
The director said the company was courting operators of other types of infrastructure including satellite, microwave and wireless networks as shareholders and strategic partners.
"Our partners may be from unrelated businesses but have synergy or be involved in other types of telecommunications infrastructure," he said.
According to Asia Multimedia company's mandate, however, operators of telecoms infrastructure must come to an agreement on network mergers with the firm. |
