AIS 'loses face' over TOT debacle

Wichian Mektrakarn made the comments yesterday after he and vice-chairman Somprasong Boonyachai met with TOT executives to discuss their roaming agreements.

AIS had told its subscribers that they could use data roaming on TOT's 3G network from Monday, but the state enterprise did not provide the service.

Mr Wichian said AIS agreed to wait for direction on the matter from the National Telecommunications Commission's board, which will meet today.

AIS also said it would delay cutting voice roaming services with the TOT subsidiary Thai Mobile from Feb 8.

AIS had earlier said it would submit the notification on Monday. Mr Wichian said the threat would still be carried out if no progress was made on data roaming within the next seven days.

The company was still unable to assess the financial cost of data roaming not being launched. But Mr Wichian said AIS's image and credibility had been damaged by the lack of service.