Orange offers Wi-Fi/GPRS package in Thailand
November 24, 2004
True Corp and its cellular subsidiary TA Orange are to offer non-voice wireless services using a combination of Wi-Fi and GPRS technologies - the first solution of its kind in Thailand.
Customers signing up for Orange's mobile phone service pay 1,500 baht ($38) per month for the first six months and get a data SIM card for their mobile phone, computer or PDA to enable unlimited access to a combination of local Wi-Fi hotspots and countrywide GPRS connectivity.
"The service, to accommodate the growing demand for wireless connectivity among Bangkok residents, is aimed at our existing 250,000 GPRS users, the roughly one million laptop owners and some 200,000 PDA users," said TA Orange corporate marketing director Suphakit Vuntanadit.
The move is also aimed at boosting Orange's non-voice revenue, particularly for the company's Wi-Fi business, which has grown 1,000-fold this year.
The number of Internet users in Thailand is expected to reach eight million by the end of 2004 and 10 million next year.
TA Orange has 250,000 users for its existing GPRS network, while True is expected to have 200,000 broadband subscribers by 2005 - more than double its initial target of 75,000.
TA Orange plans to roll out a nationwide GPRS network within the second quarter of next year. It currently has 300 Wi-Fi hotspots in Bangkok, while True's broadband network covers more than 90% of the capital.
True earlier announced plans to invest 12 billion baht ($300 million) to expand TA Orange's network coverage capacity in 2005, enabling it to accommodate up to five million subscribers and cover 90% of the country.
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