The ministry's permanent secretary, Kraisorn Pornsutee, said late last week that the two telecom operators had informed the ministry that they wanted to showcase the 3G technology at the fair, which runs from August 2-6 at the Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani.

Earlier this month the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) gave permission for the ministry to allow interested parties to demonstrate both the 3G and WiMax technologies at the fair. They will be tested on the 2.4 GHz spectrum.

Two Chinese telecom-equipment suppliers, Huawei Technologies and ZTE, were the first to request the same permission from the ministry.

Some NTC members have expressed concern that applications to the ICT ministry for demonstration permission might conceal a real intent by telecom companies to test the two technologies on new spectrums.

The NTC has yet to allow any telecom firms to conduct tests of 3G and WiMax on new spectrums.

Test permission has only been granted on firms' existing spectrums.

The licensing body has not granted a licence to any firm to offer the 3G and WiMax services commercially. It is waiting for a Council of State ruling on whether it can grant such licences pending the constitution of the National Broadcasting Commission.

The frequency-allocation law requires both licensing bodies to jointly allocate telecom and broadcasting spectrums and prescribe the rules for using them.

Telecom operators AIS and DTAC have long coveted licences to operate 3G and WiMax, which will enable them to offer new data services and create new revenue streams.