AIS subsidiary invests in VOIP

Bangkok Post (13 November 2007)

Super Broadband Network, an affiliate of mobile leader Advanced Info Service, planned to invest US$60 million to provide voice-over-internet-protocol (VOIP) service on its Wi-Fi wireless internet access network, targeting university and business communities. AIS chief executive Vikrom Sriprataks said SBN, which was licensed by the National Telecommunications Commission to provide internet access service and applications on the internet, had joined University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) to test its VOIP service, called AIS Net Call.

Commercial operations will be launched next year.

With the aim of providing integrated telecom services through technological convergence, AIS hopes the service will be an answer to all solutions for all groups of customers.

The UTCC has invested in a Wi-Fi network, with coverage now almost 100%, indicating its determination to be a leader in wireless high-speed internet access technology, Mr Vikrom said.
Students who join the test of the new VOIP service on the Wi-Fi network would be allowed to make calls from their GSM/Wi-Fi dual-mode phones to all numbers on the AIS network free of charge until the end of the year.

The rates for the new service will be determined before the commercial launch, he said.