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Thailand’s National Telecom (NT) is in talks with operators AIS and True Corporation over the sale of its both its mobile and fixed broadband customer bases, the Bangkok Post has reported
Sources close to the matter say NT has been in discussions with AIS for over a year, with the mobile giant recently submitting a proposal to acquire NT’s retail broadband and mobile subscribers.
The prospective deal would see NT transfer ownership of all its customers to AIS, with the latter renting access to NT’s networks to maintain services.
True is also expected to make a formal approach under similar terms.
NT would subsequently continue to serve customers on a wholesale basis.
Such an operational shift is attractive for NT, which is under mounting pressure to reduce costs and restructure. According to the article, its mobile and broadband units are reportedly losing billions of baht each year because of high operating costs and intense competition in both markets.
NT’s president Colonel Sanphachai Havanandana told the Bangkok Post that “the partnership must be based on a fair basis”. Any deal would need approval from the telecoms regulator, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission of Thailand (NBTC). The regulator has previously raised concerns about NT exiting core service areas, warning it could harm market competition.
NT’s spectrum licences for the 850MHz, 2100MHz, and 2300MHz bands are also due to expire this August. This is increasing pressure on NT to change its business model before being forced to renew these licences.
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