Thailand-based telecom operator CAT Telecom has firmed up a $177 million plan to roll out a new broadband access network based on FTTH and fibre-to-the-building (FTTB).

Thailand-based telecom operator CAT Telecom has firmed up a $177 million plan to roll out a new broadband access network based on FTTH and fibre-to-the-building (FTTB). The project still requires approvals from the National Economic and Social Development Board and Thailand’s cabinet, but the network is expected to start being rolled out next year. CAT is targeting 0.3 million high speed internet and multimedia service subscribers in the first phase. Meanwhile, CAT Telecom’s board of directors has also approved a plan to hire a financial adviser to evaluate the Hutch CDMA2000 mobile network in Bangkok and central provinces operated by Hutchison CAT Wireless Multimedia, a joint venture with Hutchison Telecommunications International Limited (HTIL). The network is owned by BFKT, a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based HTIL, which has indicated that it will sell out to CAT, which aims to integrate the Hutch service with its wholly owned CAT CDMA2000 network that covers all other areas of Thailand.