Organization: Central Michigan University
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.seasia-l
Date:         Sun, 27 Dec 1992 11:23:44 EST
From:         Elliott Parker <3ZLUFUR@CMUVM.CSV.CMICH.EDU>
Subject:      TH: Phone project on schedule

=======================  Forwarded  Message  ===========================
Date: Thu, 24 Dec 92 00:28:23+0700
From: Kamol Hengkietisak <kamol@ipied.tu.ac.th>

TELECOMASIA Corp, a subsidiary of the Charoen Pokphand Group, is set
to complete its two-million-line telephone network ahead of the
five-year deadline contracted by the Telephone Organisation of
Thailand, according to CP chairman Dhanin Chearavanont.

The company is also expanding its telecommunications network to
Indochina.

Mr Dhanin said TelecomAsia intends to complete the network ahead of
schedule. The project will be completed in phases and, so far, the
first phase has been finished on time.

The corporation and its partner, NYNEX, are using the latest
telecommunications technology, he said.

Chaleo Souwannakitti, who is responsible for the CP Group's
telecommunications business, said the group has started a mobile
telephone service in Cambodia, mainly for United Nations officials,
after signing a contract with the government in October. The group
aims to serve about 10,000 customers in the first year.

Because the radio frequency in Cambodia is not jammed, there is
unlimited capacity for a mobile telephone service.

"If the demand is enough, we will be able to provide up to 100,000
lines," he said.

Telephone links with Cambodia are now very convenient.

"In the past, the Telephone Organisation of Thailand and the
Communications Authority of Thailand could not agree which agency
would be responsible for the service between Thailand and Cambodia.

"Calls from Cambodia to Thailand had to go through Australia, but now
people can call directly from Cambodia to Thailand," Mr Chaleo said.

Mr Dhanin said TelecomAsia this week decided to increase its
registered capital to 21,800 million baht in preparation for listing
on the Securities Exchange of Thailand.

The decision was made at a meeting chaired by Mr Dhanin and attended
by Fredric Salerno, vice chairman of NYNEX Corp and president of the
Worldwide Services Group, and Joseph Farina, president of NYNEX
Network Systems Co.

The meeting agreed to change the company's name to TelecomAsia Corp
Public Co Ltd and appointed 15 members to its board of directors.

It appointed two prominent figures as external directors: ACM Siddhi
Savetsila and Dr Kosol Petchsuwan.

TelecomAsia was set up in November 1990 to invest in the planning,
construction and installation of two million telephone lines in
Bangkok and its suburbs, with(sdrvices being maintained for 25 years.

TelecomAsia chose NYNEX Network System as its strategic partner. It
has 15% equity in TelecomAsia and is helping in the installation of
the telephone network, including operations and maintenance, research
and development.

NYNEX is providing technical experts for staff training.

With approval from the Telephone Organisation of Thailand, the company
has chosen Siemens AG to install 350,000 lines in Phra Khanong, Bang
Na and the eastern suburbs of Bangkok in an initial phase.

TelecomAsia chief executive officer Tongchat Hongladaromp said the
change of status to a public company makes the public aware of the
company's growth.
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