CAT says it needs to keep some bandwidth on 1,800MHz spectrum
CAT TELECOM has insisted that it needs to retain 25 megahertz of currently idle bandwidth on the 1,800MHz spectrum for its mobile-phone service.
Under the concession system, CAT granted 50MHz of the 1,800MHz spectrum to Total Access Communication (DTAC), which currently uses only half that amount. DTAC has proposed to the NBTC that it return all 50MHz to the commission for auctioning off before its concession expires in 2018. According to the concession contract, the rights on use of this frequency belongs to both CAT and DTAC.
CAT senior executive vice president Viroj Tochareonvanith said yesterday that the state agency needed some bandwidth on the 1,800MHz spectrum to provide mobile-phone service.
After their contracts expire, private holders of CAT concessions will hand over their mobile-phone networks to the agency under their build-transfer-operate (BTO) obligations. But CAT will need bandwidth to operate these networks.
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission is keen to reclaim telecom spectra from the state enterprises for reallocation by auction.
The NBTC will put up for bid four licences, two of 12.5 megahertz each on the 1,800MHz spectrum of TrueMove and Digital Phone Co, and two of 10MHz each on the 900MHz spectrum of Advanced Info Service. The NBTC will hold the 1,800MHz auction in November, and take bids for the two 900MHz licences in December.
