Now, Thaksin is out of Shinawatra just when competition is getting tough. The government's new Telecom Master Plan aims to add 6 million lines to the national phone network by 1998. It may allow fixed-line phone companies and mobile services to tread on each other's turf. Bangkok is expected to open bidding for a fixed-line franchise next month and license a third private cellular firm later. But deregulation could also threaten AIS's position in mobile phones.
Subscribers also complain about poor reception in some areas.
Traffic congestion on the network threatens to become a problem as cellular demand rises. With success, say industry watchers. Reception is better and there are fewer complaints from people unable to dial through. The destruction of Apstar during its failed launch in January 1995 put the conflict with Thaicom on pause, but it will likely resume once both birds are off the ground. Analysts warn that their proximity in orbit would create interference.