Thailand Closer to Awarding 3G Licenses

Thailand's telecoms regulator says that it expects to award formal 3G licenses within the next couple of months - although several operators have already launched 3G services in the country.

Settaporn Kusripitak, one of the seven members of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) told the Reuters news agency that operators would be expected to launch 3G services in the conventional 2.1Ghz bands within a year.

"On Feb. 5, we will decide whether there will be an auction. For frequency allocation, the NTC should be able to issue new licences by the third quarter," he said.

AIS already operates a 3G network - but by reusing its GSM900 spectrum - in the capital city, Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Another operator, DTAC recently placed an order with Nokia Siemens Networks and Huawei for the supply of 3G infrastruture.

Rival state controlled operator, TOT is proceeding with its own 3G network rollout and expects to have some 350,000 subscribers by the end of this year, and four million by 2013.

Last October, Qualcomm's Thailand country manager, Kaneungjit Suriyathumrongkul warned that Thailand will need at least three 3G networks to ensure sufficient competition in the market. Ms Suriyathumrongkul also noted at the time that MVNOs were an option for the country, but only if the underlying network is good and expressed concerns with the idea of a shared national network.

On the web: Reuters

Posted to the site on 28th January 2009