Thai AIS plans $1.5 bln network investment

BANGKOK, Nov 6 (Reuters) - Thailand's top mobile phone operator, Advanced Info Service PCL (AIS) ADVA.BK, said on Friday it planned to invest 50 billion baht ($1.5 billion) in total in its 2G and future 3G network over the next three years.

AIS, 21.4 percent owned by Singapore Telecommunications Ltd (STEL.SI), said 10 percent of the 50 billion baht budget would be on its existing 2G network.

AIS expected an auction of 3G licences to take place in the first quarter of 2010.

It expected a compound annual growth rate of 3 percent in service revenue over the next three years, it said in guidance published on its website. ($1=33.38 Baht) (Reporting by Khettiya Jittapong; Editing by Alan Raybould)