Thai AIS to spend $48 mln on WiMax first phase

Thai AIS to spend $48 mln on WiMax first phase

Advanced Info Service ADVA.BK, Thailand's top mobile operator, said on Wednesday it would spend 1.5 billion baht ($48 million) on implementing the first phase of the new super high speed WiMax wireless technology.

AIS planned to launch WiMax, which allows users to surf Internet and download data, songs and movies at distances as much as tens of kilometres (miles), within 3 months after getting a licence, chief executive Vikrom Sripataks told reporters.

The budget would be used to install 350-450 base stations in suburban areas and major cities and main coverage would be areas where there was no fixed line network, chief marketing officer Sanchai Thiewprasertkul said.

AIS is among 12 companies which received WiMax trial licences from regulators with Motorola and China's Huawei Techenologies Co Ltd [HWT.UL] supplying the equipment. ($1 = 31.40 Baht)