DTAC ensures a clear line to future trends
Mobile-phone operator sets up unit to study new technologies and sniff out acquisition targets

In a bid to keep up with technology trends, Total Access Communications (DTAC) has set up "Next DTAC", a business unit which will act as a scrutiniser of new technologies.

Set up in September, the Next DTAC division will focus on new technology and business areas with the objective of developing and acquiring them.

Amarit Sukhavanij, DTAC's senior vice president and head of Next DTAC, said the division would research the potential in such technologies and generate reports for the company's executives.

Next DTAC will study trends from a potential technology aspect as well as a business opportunity aspect.

Within potential technologies, the division is now looking at three technologies: fixed broadband, high-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) and WiMAX.

It is in the process of conducting a strength, weakness, opportunity and threat analysis of each technology as well as its suitability for business applications.

"The trend in the global market is for a mobile-phone operator to expand beyond providing mobile services. The market as well as the way of conducting business is undergoing a change that is driven by technology. DTAC has to be ready and that is why we have to set up this division," Amarit said.

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