However, some members of the regulatory panel have questioned the appropriateness of the permission.

Ministry Permanent Secretary Kraisorn Pornsutee said yesterday that the permission was for demonstration of the wireless broadband data-access technologies only at the Bangkok ICT Expo 2006 from August 2-6 at Impact Muang Thong Thani. They will be tested on the 2.4-gigahertz spectrum.

He added that two of China's largest telecom-equipment suppliers, Huawei Technologies and ZTE, have also requested permission from the ministry to demonstrate 3G and WiMax technologies at the event.

He said that telecom exhibitors at the fair could also apply for such a right from the ministry to demonstrate WiMax and 3G and that the ministry wants Thai people to learn how good the technologies are.

NTC chairman Choochart Promphrasid said that the approval was for demonstration at the event only, not for testing the technology.

Five out of the seven NTC members voted in favour of granting the ministry approval after a heated debate at Tuesday's board meeting.

NTC board member Sudharma Yoonaidharma, who opposed the approval, said he was concerned that it would set an example for any party to apply for similar permission by claiming that it was for demonstration purposes only, despite a hidden agenda to test the new technology.

The NTC has yet to allow telecom firms to conduct tests of the 3G and WiMax on new spectrums but permits testing only on their own existing spectrums.

Those testing new wireless technologies must propose a feasibility study to the NTC and the testing must be in collaboration with educational institutes and telecom operators, according to NTC guidelines.

Telecom operators have longed for licences to operate 3G or WiMax, which will enable them to create new revenue sources by offering extremely high-speed data services.

Usanee Mongkolporn

The Nation