TOT to launch 2.3GHz broadband trial service
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TOT plans to kick off an official non-commercial trial to provide a 2.3-gigahertz wireless broadband service early next month in Bangkok and Ratchaburi.
The state agency is waiting for a permit from the National Broadcasting and Telecommunic-ations Commission to utilise network equipment for the trial service.
A TOT executive source said that TOT had invited Advanced Info Service, Total Access Communication, and True Corp to join the trial, which would begin on National Communications Day on August 4.
The source added that TOT would install 20 2.3GHz network base stations along selected sections of the Skytrain routes above Phaholyothin Road and Sukumvit Road. Nokia will provide the network for the test in this area.
The state agency will utilise time-division long-term evolution technology for the trial.
TOT will conduct the trial in Ratchaburi using Huawei Technologies’ network.
“The test will help TOT learn about the capacity it will need to provide the service and the technical aspects before drafting the terms of reference for selecting partners to invest on the network to provide |the commercial service,” the source said.
At the present there are only a few handset models that support the 2.3GHz technology and most of the compatible devices are Chinese brands.
TOT owns a huge 60MHz bandwidth of the 2.3GHz spectrum. Its board recently approved TOT’s plan to invite international telecom network suppliers and local telecom operators to jointly introduce the 2.3GHz service commercially.
TOT will ask local telecom operators about their 2.3GHz spectrum bandwidth requirements. TOT will relay the information to potential network equipment suppliers to enable them to draw up rollout proposals and submit them to TOT.
The state agency will select the supplier with the best proposal to roll out the network for TOT.
The same TOT source said that TOT had already approached Huawei, Nokia, and Ericsson to discuss the matter.
Using this model, TOT will not have to invest in the project on its own in the initial stage. It will wholesale the 2.3GHz bandwidth to interested local telecom operators. The revenue TOT gains from the bandwidth wholesale will be used to finance the 2.3GHz network rollout by the supplier it selects.
