True Launches Fastest Thai Broadband

True Online launched Thailand's fastest broadband internet service yesterday. The 8-megabit connection costs 1,199 baht per month. The True Corporation subsidiary will expand its high speed broadband presence in Chiang Mai, Phuket and Chon Buri this year.

It also plans to spend between 1.5 billion and 3 billion baht within two years to increase its Bangkok broadband capacity to 800,000 users. An additional 420 million baht is slated to increase international bandwidth from twelve to seventeen gigabits next month.

Vichaow Rakphongphairoj, True's Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer, said the company was determined to keep its top position in the local high-speed broadband market, despite the poor economic and investment climate.

''We want to expand the industry and stimulate the local content market, which is seen as the key factor in spurring broadband growth,'' he said.

''It will also pave the way for third-generation mobile broadband service.''

True's new-generation broadband service is a response to Jasmine International's new three megabit offering that costs customers 590 baht a month.

Customers wanting to sign up for the eight megabit package need to register a True Move mobile-phone number, or a TrueVisions pay-TV service account. The company will charge customers 1,199 baht a month for unlimited eight  megabit service which comes with a  two megabit wireless broadband component from True Move.

The company is also introducing a value three megabit service for 450 baht a month.

Mr Vichaow said True Online expected to attract about 10,000 customers for the  eight megabit service, targeting professional and heavy users.

True had 650,000 broadband subscribers as of December 2008, up 16% from the previous year. The average revenue per broadband user is 700 Baht per month.

''With the poor economy, we will be happy to see our broadband customer base increase to 700,000 by the end of this year,'' Mr Vichaow said. ''We target double-digit revenue growth this year.''

True Online, which operates fixed-line telephone, broadband internet, international internet gateway and personal cordless telephone services, reported a consolidated revenue of 25.99 billion baht last year.

True shares closed yesterday on the SET at 1.36 baht, down two satang, in trade worth 9.88 million baht

Source - The Bangkok Post