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Published on March 24, 2008

Takorn Tantasit, deputy secretary-general of the National Telecommunications Commission, said the NTC had already approved a study into number portability and would hold a public hearing on the results next month.

Portability allows cellphone users to continue using their existing numbers with new networks.

The public hearing will focus on whether there is a need to set up a clearing house to coordinate number portability. The study estimated that the cost of setting up a clearing house would be about Bt4 billion.

There are about 54 million mobile phone numbers being used in Thailand, of which more than 24 million belong to Advanced Info Service, about 18 million to Total Access Communication and 12 million to True Move.

NTC secretary-general Suranan Wongwithayakamjorn said the agency was expected to finish 3G spectrum licensing terms and conditions by the end of this year.

"We will hold a public hearing on the valuation methods of all spectrums in Thailand next month. World Bank experts have already finished working out the formula for appraising the spectrums for us," he added.

In May the NTC will also hold a public hearing on the terms and conditions of licensing the 2,000 MHz spectrum bands for offering the 3G broadband cellular service, he said.

The 2,000 MHz bands are the international standard platform for offering the 3G service.

Suranan said licensing terms and conditions were being drafted by the NTC's UK consultant International Communications.

Telecom operators are waiting for the NTC to award the licence to operate the 2,000 MHz spectrums.

They plan to migrate customers from existing high-fee concessions to 3G licences as part of a plan to save operating costs.

Cellular operators pay around 25 per cent of their revenue as concession fees to TOT and CAT Telecom.

The operators plan to join with the concession owners to develop 3G services on their existing 850 MHz and 900 MHz spectrums before applying for the 2000 MHz licences from the NTC.

Telecom Reporters

The Nation