TOT should maximise use of its 2.3GHz spectrum bandwidth to provide wireless broadband services as one option for survival in the industry, Takorn Tantasith, secretary-general of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), said yesterday.
He said the state agency should not hold on to its 900MHz spectrum, licences for which the watchdog will put up for auction in December, but should instead focus on making the most out of its 64MHz of bandwidth in the 2.3GHz spectrum.
TOT granted the 900MHz concession to Advanced Info Service, but the concession expires at the end of this month.
However, the term of the 2.3GHz spectrum does not expire until 2025.
The state agency should rush to seek the NBTC's permission to upgrade the use of 2.3GHz to provide wireless broadband service with potential partners, said Takorn.
TOT currently uses the spectrum to provide a signal transmission link for the provision of telecom services.
The NBTC's board will approve the auction rules for two 900MHz licences today, with the auction scheduled to be held on December 15.
It expects to have the rules published in the Royal Gazette by the end of this month.
TOT, however, has been considering whether to take legal action against the rules.
Takorn said that if the 900MHz auction were to hit a stumbling block, it would not be the NBTC that would be be affected, but the country, as all proceeds from the licence auction are to be transferred to the state coffers.
TOT should also seek additional strong partners to help expand its existing 3G-2.1GHz service, he added.
TOT was the first operator in Thailand to launch a 3G wireless broadband service, on the 2.1GHz spectrum in 2009, and it has provided this service with five mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) partners.
However, TOT and its MVNO partners only have about 600,000 3G subscribers, of which 250,000 are with TOT.
Deputy Prime Minister Prajin Juntong said this week that he would make it clear on Friday whether TOT could keep its bandwidth on the 900MHz spectrum or would have to hand it over for auction.
Prajin, who is in charge of information and communications technology policy, discussed the issue with TOT yesterday and will do so again on Friday.
The decision reached will then be submitted for consideration by the government.