CAT Telecom

CAT Telecom Public Company Limited was a Thai state-owned telecommunications operator whose principal role was to operate and develop international communications infrastructure in Thailand. Its activities included international gateways, satellite communications, submarine cable connections, fixed-line and data services, and mobile network operations. The organization carried forward the functions historically associated with the Communications Authority of Thailand, although the corporate meaning of the name CAT changed when the enterprise was reorganized as a public company. CAT Telecom was formally established on 14 August 2003 during the government of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The reorganization converted the former Communications Authority of Thailand government agency into a state-owned public company, with all shares remaining under government ownership. The change was part of a broader effort to corporatize Thailand's state telecommunications enterprises and prepare some state assets for possible public offerings. A proposed initial public offering was not completed. Plans for partial privatization lost momentum after the Thaksin government was removed in the September 2006 coup. For much of its operating history, CAT had a central position in Thailand's international telecommunications system. It controlled or managed international gateways and maintained connectivity through satellite and submarine cable networks. The company also held important roles in international voice services and in mobile services based on CDMA technology. In domestic mobile operations, it partnered with other organizations rather than relying only on a conventional retail carrier model. In cooperation with the Telephone Organization of Thailand, it participated in the Thai Mobile service, while partnerships involving Hutchison supported CDMA2000 1x service in 25 central provinces. CAT also operated CDMA2000 1xEV-DO services in 51 provinces. CAT's business scope extended well beyond voice telephony. Its enterprise and wholesale portfolio included leased lines, Fiber-to-the-Premises, Gigabit Ethernet, xDSL, data communications, live television broadcasting, electronic commerce, electronic auctions, and electronic security services. It also hosted mobile virtual network operators on its 850 MHz network, including Truemove H, a True Corporation subsidiary, and 168, formerly known as 365 3G Communications. Related operations and brands included My by CAT, CAT Internet, and CAT cyfence. The company's position was shaped by Thailand's changing regulatory and political environment. Telecommunications regulation was transferred to the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, while CAT remained a network operator and state enterprise. Changes to the telecom excise-tax and concession framework after the 2006 coup affected the financial relationship between CAT, TOT, private operators, and the Ministry of Finance. CAT also faced operational disruption during political unrest in November 2013, when unidentified protesters entered its Bangkok headquarters and interrupted power to facilities hosting a data center. The resulting outage affected internet, telephone, and ATM availability for customers. CAT Telecom ceased to exist as a separate corporate entity after it merged with TOT Public Company Limited. The merger was agreed in January 2021 under a cabinet resolution of Thailand's Ministry of Digital Economy and Society during the government of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. The combined organization became National Telecom Public Company Limited, commonly known as NT. CAT is therefore a historical telecommunications brand and former state operator rather than an active standalone company.

CAT Telecom developed from the Communications Authority of Thailand, a Thai government agency responsible for important parts of the country's telecommunications system. Before the corporate reorganization, the acronym CAT referred to that authority. On 14 August 2003, the Thai government established CAT Telecom Public Company Limited during the administration of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The conversion made CAT a state-owned public company while leaving the government as the sole shareholder. Although privatization and a possible initial public offering were considered, the planned listing was not completed. The 2006 military coup that removed the Thaksin government changed the direction of Thailand's telecommunications policy. The proposed CAT offering was abandoned, and the new authorities again raised the possibility of merging CAT with TOT, the other major state telecommunications enterprise. General Saprang Kalayanamitr was appointed chairman of both companies' boards. The period also involved changes to the telecom excise-tax and concession system. The previous arrangement allowed private operators to deduct certain excise payments from concession fees owed to CAT and TOT. After the policy was canceled, the state enterprises were positioned to receive full concession payments but were also required to increase dividend transfers to the Ministry of Finance. Operationally, CAT occupied a distinctive position in Thailand's communications market. It operated international gateways and maintained connectivity through satellite and submarine cable systems, giving it a central role in international voice and data traffic. It also provided fixed-line, enterprise, wholesale, and broadband services. Its data portfolio included leased circuits, Fiber-to-the-Premises, Gigabit Ethernet, and xDSL. Additional services covered live television transmission, electronic commerce, electronic auctions, and electronic security. CAT also participated in mobile telecommunications. It partnered with TOT in the Thai Mobile GSM service and worked with Hutchison in CDMA2000 1x service across 25 central provinces. CAT operated CDMA2000 1xEV-DO service in 51 provinces and later used its 850 MHz network to host mobile virtual network operators. My by CAT served as a CAT-associated mobile brand, while CAT Internet and CAT cyfence represented other service areas. MVNO arrangements included Truemove H, a True Corporation subsidiary, and 168, previously known as 365 3G Communications. Political events affected the company's operations. In November 2013, during large protests in Bangkok, unidentified protesters entered CAT's headquarters, where a data center was located, and interrupted electricity. The disruption reportedly affected around 92,000 customers and caused substantial transaction losses, while internet connections, telephone services, and ATM availability were interrupted. The incident illustrated CAT's importance as a provider of underlying communications infrastructure rather than merely a consumer-facing telecom brand. The long-discussed combination with TOT was ultimately implemented in 2021. CAT Telecom agreed to merge with TOT under a cabinet resolution issued through the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society. The successor organization was National Telecom Public Company Limited, generally called NT. CAT Telecom consequently became a defunct standalone company, with its networks, services, and institutional role carried into the new state telecommunications enterprise.

1. 2021CAT Telecom merges into National Telecom

   CAT Telecom and TOT combined to form National Telecom Public Company Limited, ending CAT's existence as a separate company.

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2. 2013Bangkok headquarters disruption

   An electricity interruption at CAT's headquarters during mass protests disrupted telecommunications, internet access, ATM services, and customer transactions.

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3. 2006Privatization and listing plans are halted

   Plans to offer part of CAT Telecom through the Stock Exchange of Thailand were not completed after the September 2006 coup and the change of government.

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4. 2006CAT-TOT merger proposal re-emerges

   The post-coup government announced plans to merge CAT with TOT, beginning a long-running effort to consolidate the two state telecommunications enterprises.

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5. 2003CAT Telecom is established as a public company

   The Thai government established CAT Telecom Public Company Limited on 14 August 2003, converting the former Communications Authority of Thailand into a wholly state-owned public company.

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A government-owned national and international telecommunications infrastructure operator serving Thai consumers, enterprises, wholesale carriers, and mobile virtual network operators.

• International gateways and connectivityInternational telecommunications infrastructure

  CAT operated Thailand's international telecommunications infrastructure, including international gateways and connections through satellite and submarine cable networks. These facilities supported international voice and data traffic and made CAT a key wholesale and national infrastructure provider.

• My by CATMobile telecommunications

  My by CAT was CAT's mobile service brand. It operated within CAT's wider mobile business, which included CDMA-based services and later network arrangements involving mobile virtual network operators. The brand was associated with CAT's effort to serve mobile customers alongside its infrastructure and enterprise businesses.

• CAT InternetInternet access and data communications

  CAT Internet represented CAT's internet connectivity and related data communications activities. These services complemented the company's international gateways, fixed access infrastructure, leased lines, and broadband offerings for residential, business, and institutional users.

• CAT cyfenceElectronic security

  CAT cyfence was a CAT-associated electronic security service line. It formed part of the company's broader portfolio of application and enterprise technology services, which also included electronic commerce, electronic auctions, and data communications.

• CDMA2000 mobile servicesMobile telecommunications

  CAT provided CDMA2000 1x mobile service through a partnership with Hutchison in 25 central Thai provinces and operated CDMA2000 1xEV-DO service in 51 provinces. These services were a major part of CAT's mobile network strategy before later market and technology changes.

• 2021Merge CAT Telecom with TOTM&A

  Thailand had repeatedly considered consolidating its two major state telecommunications enterprises to streamline state-owned network operations.

  What changed. CAT Telecom and TOT were merged under a cabinet resolution of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society to create National Telecom Public Company Limited.

  Aftermath. CAT Telecom ceased operating as a separate corporate entity, and its business activities became part of National Telecom.

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• 2006Abandon the proposed public offeringStrategy

  CAT had considered offering part of the state enterprise through the Stock Exchange of Thailand, but the political change following the September 2006 coup disrupted the plan.

  What changed. The proposed privatization and initial public offering did not proceed.

  Aftermath. CAT remained wholly government-owned and continued operating as a state telecommunications enterprise.

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• 2003Convert the Communications Authority of Thailand into CAT TelecomStrategy

  Thailand sought to corporatize major state telecommunications organizations while retaining government ownership.

  What changed. The government established CAT Telecom Public Company Limited as a wholly state-owned public company on 14 August 2003.

  Aftermath. CAT continued operating as a state enterprise, while telecommunications regulation was later handled by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission.

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• 2021CAT Telecom agrees to merge with TOT

  CAT Telecom and TOT agreed to combine under a cabinet resolution issued through Thailand's Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, creating National Telecom Public Company Limited.

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• 2013Protesters disrupt CAT Telecom headquarters facilities

  During mass protests in Bangkok, unidentified protesters entered CAT's headquarters and cut electricity to facilities hosting a data center. The interruption affected internet and telephone access, ATMs, and customer transactions.

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• 2006Proposed CAT Telecom initial public offering abandoned

  Plans to privatize part of CAT Telecom through an offering on the Stock Exchange of Thailand were not completed after the Thaksin government was overthrown in September 2006.

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• 2006Post-coup plans proposed merger of CAT Telecom and TOT

  Following the 2006 coup, the government announced plans to combine CAT Telecom with the rival state telecommunications enterprise TOT.

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1. CAT Telecom