Local banks expect successful auction for 3G licenses in Thailand to lead to investment boom among mobile operators. Apisak Tantivorawong, chairman of Krung Thai Bank (KTB), said the 3G auction "is the focus of attention of all banks." KTB, Thailand's second largest bank by assets, expects local operators to knock on the door of the credit system to obtain the necessary funds to finance investments in the network.
KTB believes loans will grow by more than 100 billion baht or 10% for the full year. Arthid Nanthawithaya, vice-president of Siam Commercial Bank, agrees. According to recent estimates, the market leader Advanced Info Service, Total Access Communication and True could spend 15-30 billion baht on their third generation network. In total, investments of 120 billion baht are expected in infrastructure over the next three years.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/telecom/317330/banks-lick-their-lips-over-projected-3g-network-outlays
