Telecom study calls for issue of licence on regional basis

The study is on the broadband wireless access service licensing and regulations for new technology service.

The NTC will use the study to draw up its licensing regulations of the new broadband wireless access technologies, such as the Wi-Max (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access).

According to the study, the choices of the spectrums for providing the new broadband wireless access technologies are 2.3GHz and 2.5 GHz and the most appropriate one is 2.3 GHz.

Given that most parts of both spectrums are being fully used by state agencies and private firms, the NTC has to re-allocate them first before it can grant the licences.

The licences should be granted on a regional basis, instead of nationwide.

One applicant can apply for licences to provide the service in many regions.

There should be three licences of new broadband wireless technologies available to each region to promote competition in the regional markets, which would benefit consumers accordingly.

In addition, the licences should be granted via the auction method if the number of the applicants in that region exceeds the licence number. The NTC might consider issuing licences to the applicants without the auction process if those applicants plan to provide the broadband wireless technology services in some remote areas.

The licences have to contain the valid period and the network roll-

out period. The licence should be in the type-3-category, which is for applicants with their own large networks.

Moreover, the licences must determine the network sharing among the licensees in each region to encourage maximum network use.

The NTC determines the use of new spectrums for providing new broadband wireless technologies in line with the standard of the International Telecom Union (ITU). This follows the recommendation of the Council of State that the NTC "might be able" to refer to the ITU frequency table as a guideline for managing the telecom industry.

The NTC had asked for the Council of State's opinion in 2006 if it can go ahead assigning new telecom spectrums during the absence of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).

The frequency allocation law mandates both licensing bodies to manage together the telecom and broadcasting spectra and prescribe their use.

The ITU, under the framework of the United Nations, coordinates with governments and companies on the operations of telecom

networks and services and the development of communications technology.

NTC secretary-general Suranan Wongvithayakamjorn said that the NTC is expected to grant the WiMax licences after granting the 3G licences.

The NTC will auction four 3G-2.1 GHz licences but no one can tell exactly when they will be officially granted. Earlier, the telecom industry expected the NTC to auction off the 2.1GHz 3G licences this year.

Suranan said the NTC administrative office plans to hold what

he calls 'the simulated auction process' of the 3G-2.1 GH licences this month and again in September.

Since Thailand had never auctioned 2.1GHz 3G licences before, a trial auction was needed to ensure the actual auction would go smoothly.