AIS abandons plan to rent TrueMove’s 2G network
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Thailand’s AIS and TrueMove have abandoned plans to enter a mobile network rental agreement after being unable to accept mutually agreed upon terms.
AIS no longer intends to rent TrueMove’s 900-MHz network to allow it to continue serving its 900-MHz 2G customers in the wake of the expiration of its 900-MHz license, telecoms regulator NBTC’s secretary-general told.
The two operators had been negotiating a network rental agreement since mid-April, concentrating on network roaming on the 900-MHz spectrum and customer migration between AIS’s and TrueMove’s networks.
The government had been encouraging AIS to rent True Move’s existing network to allow it to retain some of its existing 2G customers in order to end a dispute over an extension of AIS’s use of its 900-MHz network.
AIS is reportedly also facing government pressure to hand over 8 million 2G customers to TrueMove to free up the 900-MHz spectrum due to be re-auctioned on May 27.
But AIS intends to participate in the auction, and may therefore be able to secure the spectrum needed to ensure service continuity.
Questions & Answers
Q.Why did AIS and TrueMove abandon their network rental agreement?
Why did AIS and TrueMove abandon their network rental agreement?
The two companies were unable to accept mutually agreed-upon terms for the network rental. Negotiations had been ongoing since mid-April, focusing on 900-MHz spectrum roaming and customer migration.
Q.What was the purpose of AIS renting TrueMove’s network?
What was the purpose of AIS renting TrueMove’s network?
AIS intended to rent TrueMove's 900-MHz network to continue serving its 2G customers after its own 900-MHz license expired. This was also encouraged by the government to resolve a dispute.
Q.What is the government's stance on AIS's 2G customers?
What is the government's stance on AIS's 2G customers?
The government encouraged AIS to rent TrueMove's network to retain 2G customers and is reportedly pressuring AIS to transfer 8 million 2G customers to TrueMove to free up the 900-MHz spectrum.
Q.How does AIS plan to secure the 900-MHz spectrum after this failed agreement?
How does AIS plan to secure the 900-MHz spectrum after this failed agreement?
AIS intends to participate in the re-auction of the 900-MHz spectrum, which is scheduled for May 27. This could allow them to secure the necessary spectrum for service continuity.