DTAC starts its 4G service on 1800MHz bandwidth
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TOTAL ACCESS Communication (DTAC) yesterday kicked off 4G cellular service on its existing 1800-megahertz band to complement its 4G service on its 2.1-gigahertz band.
DTAC is the first in the country to roll out 4G-1800MHz, starting with downtown Bangkok, which has the heaviest data traffic, accounting for half of all 4G areas in Greater Bangkok.
Prathet Tankuranun, chief technology officer, said yesterday the new service uses 10MHz of bandwidth on 1800MHz, the widest used frequency for 4G worldwide. The company’s 4G-2.1GHz service uses 5MHz.
He declined to elaborate on the future expansion of 4G-1800MHz.
This 1800MHz frequency came from the concession granted by CAT Telecom that expires in 2018.
DTAC has about 25 million mobile phone subscribers, of which about 3.5 million own 4G-capable devices. It has maintained is target for 4G users at 2.5 million year-end, up from about 1.8 million presently.
DTAC and True Corp are the only two telecom operators offering 4G. True’s 4G runs on 2.1GHz.
Prathet said the launch of 4G-1800MHz will improve the experience of customers for DTAC’s services on other frequencies, including 4G-2.1GHz, 3G-2.1GHz, 3G-850MHz and 2G-1800MHz.
Sigvart Voss Eriksen, chief marketing officer, said that besides introducing the latest 4G technology to support fast-growing demand for mobile Internet, DTAC also offers a full range of 4G smartphones, from high-end, top performance to affordable models, through various promotions and co-marketing campaigns with partners.
Over 130 4G-capable mobile devices are estimated to be available in the local market.
Also yesterday, CAT’s labour union asked CAT’s board to consider reclaiming CAT’s 5MHz out of the idle 25MHz of 1800MHz the state enterprise has given to the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) for auction, if the watchdog still declines to permit CAT to upgrade the remaining 20MHz to provide 4G service.
CAT has granted 50MHz of 1800MHz to DTAC, of which the first half is being used. CAT and DTAC have reached an agreement to hand 5MHz of the idle 25MHz bandwidth to the NBTC.
Recently CAT asked the NBTC to permit it to upgrade the remaining idle 20MHz to offer 4G.
