The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) plans to announce its draft quality standards governing data telecom services for mobile networks in March.
The draft is aimed at enhancing consumer protection.
The NBTC is also on the verge of setting up a tariff ceiling for mobile data service to promote fair consumer practice.
The move is expected to pave the way for new 3G wireless broadband service on the 2.1-GHz frequency. A 3G licence auction is scheduled for mid-year with commercial service expected by 2013.
"After a public hearing, the NBTC will seek approval from the telecom committee within a month, before making an announcement in the Royal Gazette for the draft to become effective," said NBTC commissioner Pravit Leestapornvongsa.
The draft covers the parameter indicators of general services from mobile broadband internet access and applications to SMS, MMS and video streaming.
"If a mobile operator fails to comply with the minimum requirements, the NBTC under the Telecom Act can fine the operator based on damages incurred by customers," Dr Pravit said.
He added operators could face licence revocation or suspension if they fail to solve the problem.
Chaodit Aswakul, in charge of writing the draft and an assistant professor at Chulalongkorn University, said it was in compliance with the European standard under the principle of technological neutrality.
The new standard required mobile operators to start providing mobile data access to prepaid customers within three hours after they request for it, and eight hours for postpaid users. Some 90% of requested services still need to be accomplished.
Operators must have less than 1% of voice billing complaints for both prepaid and postpaid systems. Any complaints must be resolved within 30 days, Dr Chaodit said.
Delay of data signal for 2G service must not exceed one second, and for 3G it cannot exceed a half-second. The success rate for download service must be at least 80% and uploads 70%.
The minimum download speed for 2G service must be at least 54 Kbps, while 3G is 384 Kbps. The minimum upload speed for 2G will be 20 Kbps and 192 Kbps for 3G.
Dr Pravit said the draft was not related to DTAC's recent network collapse, but the incident did highlight a need.
He added the NBTC will enforce a penalty on mobile operators who fail to comply with the law, which requires them to lift their expiry dates for prepaid services.