Thailand’s Advanced Info Service (AIS) is planning to partner with state-owned operator TOT to launch 2100 MHz 3G services in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chonburi and Hua Hin in early 2010.

Thailand’s Advanced Info Service (AIS) is planning to partner with state-owned operator TOT to launch 2100 MHz 3G services in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chonburi and Hua Hin in early 2010. The decision comes in the wake of ongoing delays in the country’s 3G licensing process. TOT operates Thailand’s only 2100 MHz WCDMA/HSPA network, having launched services in December 2009 in the Bangkok area via third-party mobile virtual network operators while AIS operates a limited capacity W-CDMA/HSPA service using UMTS 900 MHz technology in Chiang Mai, central Bangkok and Chon Buri. In July 2009, AIS allowed TOT to use some of its 12,000 GSM base station sites to speed up the state operator’s 3G expansion plans. It is therefore willing to cooperate with TOT as it is already operating under a build-operate-transfer concession with the state operator.