Telecom Lead Asia: AIS has selected Nokia Siemens Networks to deploy 3G network in Thailand.
The rollout of 3G services in 2100 MHz band is expected to meet the growing demand.
AIS, Thailand’s top mobile phone operator, reported a surge in quarterly net profit in Q4 2012, boosted by strong voice and data services and higher handset sales after the launch of Apple’s iPhone 5. 3G will further boost its mobile broadband revenue.
The telecom operator raised its three-year investment budget by 40 percent to 70 billion baht ($2.35 billion) to speed up 3G network installation as it aims to tap strong domestic demand in the fast-growing country.
Reuters recently said AIS is aiming for 2013 service revenue growth of 6-8 percent after rising 11 percent in 2012. AIS, 21 percent owned by Singapore Telecommunications, posted net profit of 8.5 billion baht ($284 million) for October-December, up 131 percent from a year earlier when it booked 3.2 billion baht in expenses for network impairment.
As per the 3G deal, Nokia Siemens will provide its Flexi Multiradio Base Station, packet core solution. mobile turnkey solution and care services and Operating Support System (OSS) solutions to ensure the quality of AIS’ 3G network.
Saran Phaloprakarn, vice president of Network Strategic Planning, AIS, said: “Implementing a 3G network is very crucial for us.”
Nokia Siemens will deploy the 3G network using its Flexi Multiradio Base Station enabling AIS to achieve a fast rollout and manage rapidly increasing traffic growth by providing more coverage and capacity simultaneously.
AIS will also be in a position to ensure a smooth migration to LTE / 4G.
In addition, Nokia Siemens will provide its packet core for the operator. To serve high data traffic most efficiently, its Flexi NG 3.0 (Network Gateway) will provide multi-dimensional intelligence to AIS’s mobile broadband solution, and its Flexi NS 3.0 (Network Server) will provide mobility and easy access to packet data services.
