Page 87 - SAMENA Trends - January 2020

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Thai Regulator Ups 5G Auction Expectations

Thailand’s regulator raised its forecast respective blocks, with no competitive bids conducting a feasibility study of the criteria
for a pending spectrum auction to submitted. However, so far dtac is the only and procedures for the license, which will
THB64 billion ($2.1 billion), after the private operator to pick up bid documents be reviewed by its board before a decision
government approved participation by for the 5G auction. The company said it is is made.
the country’s state-owned operators,
Bloomberg reported. In addition to private
operators AIS, True Move and dtac, state
players TOT and CAT Telecom can also
now take part in the sale. The National
Broadcasting and Telecommunications
Commission (NBTC) previously expected
the auction to raise about $1.8 billion.
The auction is scheduled to take place
next month, under plans announced in
late 2019. Licenses in the 2600MHz and
26GHz bands will come first, with 700MHz
and 1800MHz to be auctioned at a later
date. Network rollouts are expected to
begin in March. NBTC Secretary General
Takorn Tantasith told Bloomberg if three
or four operators participate, he expects
half of the 56 licenses to be acquired.
He added the 2600MHz band will be the
most competitive, while acknowledging
operators may not bid for 1800MHz. Only
two of nine blocks of 10MHz available in
the 1800MHz band were sold in a long-
delayed 4G auction. Market leader AIS
and dtac each bid THB12.5 billion for their

NBTC Declares Neutrality in 5G Gear

The telecom regulator has vowed to remain neutral concerning helped provide information and took part in events aimed at
bids from telecom vendors involved in the nation’s 5G roll-out. educating and promoting innovation development in the country,
The 5G spectrum license auction is scheduled for Feb 16 and the Mr. Takorn said. The NBTC will auction off four spectrum ranges
network roll-out could commence in May, according to the National on Feb 16, consisting of 700MHz, 1800MHz, 2600MHz and 26GHz.
Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC). The regulator expects about 54 billion baht to be generated from
The door is open for telecom operators to choose technologies the auction. 5G adoption this year could contribute 177 billion
from various vendors for their networks, which could create baht to the economy, or 1.02% of GDP, the NBTC said. The intake
better balance and security management, said NBTC secretary- could rise to 332 billion baht in 2021 and 476 billion baht in 2022.
general Takorn Tantasith. “We will ask prospective bidders for The 2600MHz range is coveted in the auction because it is being
cooperation regarding this,” Mr. Takorn said. Previously, the used for commercial 5G service in China, which is the world’s
regulator attracted both Chinese tech giant Huawei and some biggest market for mobile subscriptions, Mr. Takorn said. He said
US-based vendors to help develop telecom infrastructure and the NBTC will urge the auction’s bidders to consider the 5G roll-
5G testbed centers in collaboration with major mobile operators. out at Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports as the first priority.
The NBTC maintained its neutrality after the first 5G test centre The NBTC plans to sign a pact with Airports of Thailand Plc on
was established in Bangkok last year. The regulator sought Jan 22 for the cooperation. “The two international airports will
cooperation from Huawei and various US tech firms, including serve as a flagship and national gateway for 5G tech adoption in
Intel, Cisco, Qualcomm and IBM, to run the 5G tests in Thailand. Thailand, where visitors will get a hands-on experience of ultra-
Huawei has agreed to work with the NBTC and Chulalongkorn fast wireless broadband service once they arrive,” Mr. Takorn said.
University on a test site. Mr. Takorn said representatives of US Several 5G use cases are expected at the two airports’ operations,
vendors have met him for talks about the cooperation. “I clearly including facial recognition, smart security, smart logistics, smart
expressed our neutral policy to them,” he said. These vendors hospitals and smart transport, he said.

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