Thailand-based service provider CAT Telecom expects to finalise a marketing deal with Hong Kong-based Hutchison Telecom International Limited (HTIL) for CDMA mobile phone services.

According to the proposed marketing plan, HTIL will transfer its CDMA2000 1x network, owned by its subsidiary BFKT, to CAT.

BFKT will absorb all the accumulated debt of Hutchison CAT Wireless Multimedia, a company in which HTIL currently has 74 per cent stake and CAT 26 per cent. CAT's holding in the company will increase to 51 per cent at no extra cost. HTIL will market the CDMA services throughout Thailand, including the 51 provinces in which CAT has built its own 1xEV-DO network.

According to sources, both CAT and HTIL are keen to conclude the deal under the regime of the current government as they are not sure whether the next government will approve it.