NTC demands progress in 3G service

A source at the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) said the watchdog has the right to seize back parts of the spectrum bands utilised by private telecom operators to provide the 3G service, if they are found to show no progress. The NTC will cite their inefficient use of the spectrums for 3G service development.

The telecom regulator gave permission to Advanced Info Service (AIS), Total Access Communications (DTAC), and True Move, through their state concession owners, to develop the 3G service on their spectrums last August.

"It's been over six months now after the permission was granted and the NTC wants to learn about the progress made," the source added.

DTAC, which holds a CAT concession, will begin the trial launch of 3G service on its 850 MHz spectrum within this year.

DTAC recently sent a letter asking CAT to support its service trial and expects a reply soon. It is expected to roll out between 30 to 40 3G base stations during the initial period.

True Move, which holds a CAT concession, has launched the 3G service on trial basis on 800 MHz spectrum. It currently has 70 3G base stations.

AIS, which holds a TOT concession, is the first to commercially launch the 3G service - in Chiang Mai last May - using its 900 MHz spectrum. It has already rolled out around 100 3G base stations, most of them in Chiang Mai, and some in Chon Buri and Bangkok.

According to the NTC, the three cellular operators last August said they had planned to roll out several hundred 3G base stations, using their existing spectrums. DTAC had planned to roll out 1,200 base stations, AIS 400 base stations, and True Move over 600 base stations.

The three private cellular operators are also eager to secure the 2.1 GHz spectrum licences from the NTC to develop the 3G service. They will use their existing spectrums to provide the 3G service in provinces and 2.1 GHz spectrum in Bangkok.

The NTC intends to auction four 2.1 GHz licences in the third quarter but it has yet to finalise the key details such as the validity terms of the licence and the minimum licence auction price.