Thai regulator NBTC has indicated it will decide on Thursday whether to assign idle 26-GHz spectrum to AIS and True Corp to conduct 5G trials.
If approved, the NBTC plans to assign the spectrum for testing in two locations during the period between November 22 and December 15, the Nation reported, citing remarks from the regulator's secretary general Takorn Tantasith at a recent 5G seminar.
AIS plans to conduct 5G testing using Nokia Networks equipment at the Emporium shopping mall in Bangkok, while True Corp intends to test Huawei equipment at the city's EmQuartier mall. Dtac also plans to apply to conduct 5G testing using the same spectrum.
Thailand's operators are taking a cautious approach to the introduction of 5G, according to executives who spoke at the seminar and were quoted in the Nation's report.
True Corp has urged the regulator to ensure 5G rollouts are sustainable by limiting the price of spectrum, while Dtac has called on Thailand's public and private sector to collaborate on the development of an effective and sustainable 5G strategy.