Within the next two years, Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (egat), Bangkok, Thailand,

Within the next two years, Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (egat), Bangkok, Thailand, plans to install fiber-optic lines to all provinces within the country. egat plans to open bidding for what is estimated to be a Bt1 billion project to companies such as the Communications Authority of Thailand, the Telephone Organization of Thailand, and private communications providers. The company that receives the bid has to pay the total investment in return for renting antennas to egat for the length of the contract--estimated to be 20 to 25 years. The winning company will also have to set up 24 fiber-optic cables at existing egat electricity distribution antennas without interrupting electricity distribution. The project will start in the Central Provinces and expand outward to other areas. egat plans to become a communications provider within the next three years after communications liberalization occurs in Thailand.