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Ji-NET to sell cheapest DSL package
ICT urged to help cut operating costs
Komsan Tortermvasana
Jasmine Internet (Ji-NET) yesterday introduced a broadband Internet package that it claimed to be the cheapest so far in the market.
The ADSL-Compax is priced at 1,390 baht for the speed of 128/64 kilobits per seconds. Each user will be given unlimited usage hours with free 50 MB space for email.
The price do not include a DSL(direct subscriber line) modem and a one-time installation fee of between 2,000 and 3,000 baht.
The service, compatible only with TelecomAsia Plc's land lines, wiil be available next month.
With such pricing ,the Internet service provider of SET-listed Jasmine Internation Plc,expects to expand its broadband customer base to 5,000 from slightly over 1,000 next year, targeting small offices and households.
Ji-Net general manager paisan Kaweyanun said the packaeges were being offered in response to the Information and Communications Technology Ministry's plan to offer cheap brodband Internet next year.
But he said Ji-Net could not afford to affer anything cheapear since"the prices we charge are already near the margin". If the ministry wanted to see something cheaper, it had to subsidise the operating costs, he said.
ICT Minister Surpong suebwonglee earlier suggested a price of 750-800baht a month for the high-speed Internet service.
Prior to this, Ji-Net had offered broadband Internet packages on a trial basis at 3,500 to 6,000baht a month.
The trial helped the company learn more about customers' needs and devis more choices to perpare for competition next year.
Mr Paisan said that next year would be a golden year for broadband,as the number of high-speed line customers was expected to increase several-fold from just over 10,000 currently.
Besides, the prices of DSL equipment are now going down,making the service more affordable than ever.
DSL now is available in the market at 2,000 to 3,000 baht a month plus a few hundred baht for installation. But DSL modems can cost 4,000 to 5,000 baht.
TelecomAsisa chief executive Supachai Chearavanont said TA supported the ministry's cheap broadband access service as it would give the people speedy, convenient access to global Knowledge.
But he would like the ministry to rethink gateway or international link costs which made it hard for the private sector to respond to its policy.
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