3G finally here, but too slow
Some 3G packages even slower than old 2G. Flood of complaints on slow 3G speed. NBTC consumer protection panel to push for action.
Some 3G packages even slower than old 2G. Flood of complaints on slow 3G speed. NBTC consumer protection panel to push for action.
These are not the speeds we were promised, says the consumer protection panel at the NBTC.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
NBTC slams slow 3G speed
21 May 2013
Komsan Tortermvasana
Senior Business Reporter
A consumer protection panel of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) is slamming mobile operators for failing to deliver their claimed service promises on third-generation broadband speed.
Under the licence requirement, operators are obliged to deliver 3G services at a minimum download speed of 345 kilobits per second and 153 Kbps for uploads.
The criticism came after the panel received a deluge of consumer complaints about poor service after operators launched 3G commercial services this month.
Saree Ong-somwang, chairwoman of the NBTC's consumer protection panel, said the panel will raise the issue to the NBTC's board
She said customer complaints about poor 3G speed are heavy even as operators committed to lower their 3G service packages by 15-20% from existing 2G service rates as of last Dec 7 to comply with the NBTC's requirements.
Some complaints pointed out certain 3G promotional packages offered lower speeds of data downloading than 2G.
"We suggest consumers file complaints with us. This could press operators to further reduce their service charges," Ms Saree said
Duanden Nikomborirak, a panel member, said 3G operators should not rush to expand their customer base if they cannot even deliver minimum speed service as required.
These are not the speeds we were promised, says the consumer protection board at the NBTC.
Wichian Mektrakarn, chief executive of Advanced Info Service, said it is still too early to conclude that speeds of 3G services are far below the regulatory requirements.
Operators are gearing up to expand their 3G networks with the aim of nationwide coverage within two years.
"We just rolled out our network in Bangkok and other major cities after announcing commercial service early this month - four months after we won the licences," Mr Wichian said, acknowledging that many service areas are still in the 3G migrating process.
(Source: Bangkok Post, TELECOMMUNICATIONS, NBTC slams slow 3G speed, 21 May 2013, Komsan Tortermvasana, Senior Business Reporter, link)
Telecommunications Vocabulary
telecommunications - dealing with telephones การโทรคมนาคม หมายถึง การสื่อสารทางไกลโดยใช้โทรศัพท์ เคเบิล โทรทัศน์ วิทยุและโทรเลข
3G - the new phone technology in Thailand that allows connections to internet (See Wikipedia)
3G speed
services - บริการต่างๆ
3G services
generation - 1. a level of technology that exists and is used during a period of time; 2. a group of people in society who are born and live around the same time รุ่น (คนรุ่นต่างๆ)
third-generation - 3G
broadband - high-speed data transmission used for high-speed Internet access, fast enough to support applications such as streaming video (See Wikipedia)
third-generation broadband speed
2G - the old mobile phone technology in Thailand that is being replaced by 3G (See Wikipedia)
2G speed
2G service
2G service rates
National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) - the government agency that oversees and regulates telecommunications companies in Thailand
complaint - when people say there is something wrong and they want it changed ข้อที่ไม่พอใจ
file complaints with NBTC
slam - criticize strongly (talk about things that are wrong with something)
NBTC slams slow 3G speed
mobile operators - companies like DTAC, True and AIS that provide mobile phone service
failing to deliver promise - did not do what they promised to do
failing to deliver on promise
consumer - someone who buys and uses goods and services ผู้บริโภค
consumer protection
panel - a group of experts discussing a problem or trying to solve a problem; a group of people brought together to discuss, investigate, and give advice on a subject
consumer protection panel
operators - companies that offer mobile phone service (for example: AIS, DTAC, Orange)
slamming mobile operators for failing to deliver on their promises
claimed - what you say is true or what you say you will do (may not actually be true)
claimed service promises
A consumer protection panel of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) is slamming mobile operators for failing to deliver their claimed service promises on third-generation broadband speed.
licence - official permission from government to do a business or some activity ใบอนุญาต
licence requirement
obliged - required to do something ต้องทำ ต้องทำตามคำร้อง
obliged to deliver 3G services at a minimum speed
Under the licence requirement, operators are obliged to deliver 3G services at a minimum download speed of 345 kilobits per second and 153 Kbps for uploads.
launched - started เริ่มต้นดำเนินการ began เริ่ม
commercial - for business purposes
The criticism came after the panel received a deluge of consumer complaints about poor service after operators this month launched 3G commercial services.
issue - a problem that needs to be considered; a subject that people discuss or argue about ประเด็น
raise the issue
board - the group of people who make high-level policy for an organization
NBTC's board
Saree Ong-somwang, chairwoman of the NBTC's consumer protection panel, said the panel will raise the issue to the NBTC's board
complaints
customer complaints
committed - promised
operators committed to lower their 3G service packages by 15-20%
comply - follow rules, do not break rules ปฏิบัติตามกฎระเบียบ
comply with requirements.
She said customer complaints about poor 3G speed is heavy even as operators committed to lower their 3G service packages by 15-20% from existing 2G service rates as of last Dec 7 to comply with the NBTC's requirements.
promotional - sold at a special low price (so people can buy it, use it and learn about it for the first time)
package - a set of things that are sold together for one price
3G promotional packages
data - facts or information used for making calculations or decisions ข้อมูล
data download - things such as webpages, photos, video moved across the internet to a computer, tablet or mobile phone
speed of data downloading
pointed out - to show or tell somebody something new
Some complaints pointed out certain 3G promotional packages offered lower speeds of data downloading than 2G.
consumers - people who buy things (individuals and families)
file - to take official action, in this case, to make an official complaint ยื่นคำร้อง
consumers file complaints
charges - a payment that has to be made for something เงินที่เรียกเก็บ
service charges
press - force or make someone do something (that they do not want to do)
press operators to reduce service charges
"We suggest consumers file complaints with us. This could press operators to further reduce their service charges," Ms Saree said
base - a group of people on which someone's power depends ฐานที่มั่น
customer base
expand - to make or become larger ขายตัวออกไป
expand their customer base
rush - to move or do something very quickly รีบเร่ง, วิ่ง
rush to expand customer base
Duanden Nikomborirak, a panel member, said 3G operators should not rush to expand their customer base if they cannot even deliver minimum speed service as required.
regulatory
requirements
regulatory requirements
conclude - to decide that something is true after looking at all the facts you have สรุป
it is still too early to conclude that
it is still too early to conclude that speeds of 3G services are far below the regulatory requirements
nationwide - throughout a whole country ทั่วทั้งประเทศ ทั่วประเทศ
coverage - the number of people in the programme, the number of participants
nationwide coverage
aim - purpose; goal เป้าหมาย จุดมุ่งหมาย
the aim of nationwide coverage
gearing up - preparing to to do something
Operators are gearing up to expand their 3G networks with the aim of nationwide coverage within two years
rolled out - introduce and start selling new service for the first time
network - a large system of connected parts, organisations, people, etc. เครือข่าย
We just rolled out our network in Bangkok and other major cities
process - a series of actions that you take in order to achieve a result แนวทางปฏิบัติ, กระบวน, วิธีการ
migrating - moving from one place or thing to another
the 3G migrating process - changing from some technology (2G) to 3G technology
acknowledge - accept that some facts are true การรับรู้ การยอมรับ การตระหนักรู้
the company official acknowledged that many service areas are still in the 3G migrating process.