DTAC in Bt1-bn broadband foray

Total Access Communi-cation (DTAC) plans to spend more than Bt1 billion to develop mobile and fixed-line broadband services.

New subsidiary Wide Broadband alone will spend more than Bt1 billion on a fixed-line network to offer broadband services to corporate and household customers across the country, DTAC chief executive Sigve Brekke said yesterday.

Wide Broadband is waiting for a business licence from the National Telecom-munications Commission (NTC), after which its service will be up and running within a year. Its fixed-line operation will be backed by DTAC's upcoming mobile broadband network.

DTAC believes there is a high demand for broadband access.

The company's pitch for a share of the broadband market pits it against dominant players True and TT&T.

DTAC is also acquiring shares in content and Internet-service providers, to support its move into the broadband arena. It recently bought 75 per cent of Thai online-payment service provider PaySbuy for Bt39 million and plans to increase its stake to 98 per cent soon.

DTAC is also in talks with mobile solutions provider Createch on a similar deal.

"We'll acquire shares in three more small firms this year, one each in the music, Internet and Wi-Fi businesses," Brekke added.

DTAC has also recruited information-technology experts from Telenor of Norway, its telecom strategic partner, to back its IT operation.

Brekke said DTAC had enough cash flow for the new business investment.

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