TOT Delays 3G Expansion in Thailand

TOT, the Thailand-based mobile service provider, has delayed plans for an expansion of its third generation network, because of funding concerns.

TOT’s 3G network includes 4800 base stations. The proposed THB30 billion network expansion would have added 15,000 more base stations.

But the Thai government, whose approval is required, wants TOT to spend THB38 billion. 

TOT also has announced plans to expand its Wi-Fi network to 150,000 hotspots by the end of 2014, as part of the ICT ministry-backed Smart Thailand program.

TOT already has deployed 10,000 Wi-Fi hotspots while a total of 120,000 hotspots have been deployed by other agencies as part of the initiative. 

Some 20,000 TOT hotspots are planned for Bangkok, with another 130,000 to be deployed nationwide.