Thailand’s second-largest mobile operator DTAC says it plans to launch its 3G network in the country in the first-quarter of next year. At a press conference, chief executive Sigve Brekke said that the service would launch initially in Bangkok, the capital, with later launches in cities such as Chiang Mai in the north and Phuket in the south, reports Reuters. However, Brekke said that the network would not generate revenue until 2010. “In the first year of the launch, we don’t expect much revenue. The first year should be for positioning as technology leader in the market,” he said. The report adds that the operator will select a 3G equipment vendor in the next four to five weeks. Nokia Siemens Networks, Ericsson and Huawei Technologies are reportedly in the running for the contract, which Brekke said would be worth around THB1.1-1.2 billion (US$32-35 million) in the first phase. DTAC plans to spend THB5 billion upgrading to 3G services on its existing 850MHz frequency.

DTAC’s 3G launch could be the first of many in Thailand next year. The Thai government has approved in principal a proposal by state-owned enterprise, TOT, to launch 3G services in the country via its recently-acquired Thai Mobile subsidiary. TOT plans to invest THB29 billion (US$865 million) in building-out the network using 1900MHz spectrum with the aim of launching commercial operations next year. Thai market-leader AIS and third-placed True Move also reportedly plan to launch 3G services soon. Currently, AIS is the only operator to have launched 3G HSPA services in the country, offering a limited service in Chiang Mai.