DTAC applies to buy 700MHz licence
The board of Total Access Communication PLC (DTAC) has given the go-ahead for DTAC TriNet to submit an application to the Office of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) on today’s deadline (June 19) to buy one block of the 700 megahertz (MHz) spectrum.
Eyebrows had been raised at the Bt17.58-billion price tag for the blocks, which industry analysts considered high by international standards.
Alexandra Reich, DTAC’s chief executive officer, said, “DTAC believes that this investment will provide significant benefits to all stakeholders as the 700MHz spectrum can be used for 5G. The opportunity to acquire an additional 2 x 10MHz of low-band spectrum brings our total bandwidth up to 130MHz [including 2,300MHz in partnership with TOT].”
Reich also stressed that despite the possibility of using 700MHz for 5G services, the NBTC has yet to develop a clear 5G spectrum road map for both high- and low-band spectrum.
She said, “Thailand is moving towards a full digital society, in which the readiness of 5G is a key element. Therefore, a clear spectrum road map is critical to the industry because it helps us create effective long-term investment plans to build infrastructure that can help boost the country’s economy.”
DTAC says the 700MHz spectrum will boost its network coverage nationwide, resulting in an improved mobile internet experience in remote areas in addition to higher capacity for urban users.
