DTAC in iPhone Thai marketing deal

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DTAC in iPhone Thai marketing deal 
The Nation: 16 Feb 2010
DTAC in iPhone marketing deal

Total Access Communication (DTAC) is expected to launch aggressive promotions for iPhones after clinching a deal with Apple to market the trendy smartphones here.

DTAC said in a release yesterday that it had already reached a distribution agreement with Apple.

While DTAC executives declined to comment, it has been speculated that DTAC would offer the iPhone 3G and 3GS models next month.

A telecom industry source said DTAC wants to enhance its brand image and would bundle the gear and related campaigns in a competitive package to quickly bring in customers.

True Move was the first local cellular operator authorised by Apple to bring in the iPhone.

It has deployed its group telecom services from cellular to wireless Internet and digital content, including its 3G wireless broadband network, to support iPhone sales.

Papon Ratanachaikanont, assistant to the president and CEO of True Move, said the company is not worried about the upcoming competition.

It has been aware since early this year that Apple would soon authorise other cellular firms to handle iPhones as part of its policy to tap the mass market.

There would be competition in offering the iPhones but it would not be fierce, he said.

True Move targets sales of 120,000 iPhone 3G and 3GS models this year, up from about 100,000 last year.

Early this month it kicked off a promotional campaign for the iPhones. For example, the 16-gigabyte iPhone 3GS model can be had for Bt22,900, down from the list price of Bt24,500, when included with an airtime package at Bt599 a month.

Next month True Move would unveil a smartphone based on the new Android operating system.

The cellular operators have focused intently on promoting smartphones from BlackBerry's to iPhones to cash in on their booming popularity.

Pratthana Leelapanang, assistant vice president for value-added services at Advanced Info Service, declined to comment on whether AIS was in talks with Apple to sell iPhones in Thailand.