Thailand may still be in the grip of political instability, but that hasn't stopped telecom regulator NBTC preparing for a 4G auction next year.
The regulator plans to proceed with an auction of 42.5 MHz of 4G spectrum in September next year, the Bangkok Postreported, citing NBTC telecom committee chairman Colonel Settapong Malisuwan.
The NBTC will use a package bidding model for the auction, and has hired the ITU to estimate the value of spectrum, set the reserve prices and draft license terms.
On the block will be 25 MHz of 1800-MHz spectrum and 17.5 MHz in the 900-MHz band. The former is currently used by True Move and AIS unit DPC, while the latter is being utilized by AIS.
The concession arrangement under which TrueMove and DPC were licensing the 1800-MHz spectrum expired in September, but the companies were given a one-year extension on use of the frequencies.
But AIS' 900-MHz concession is not due to expire until March 2015. Col Settapong told the Post the NBTC still wanted to include this allocation in the auction, for fears that 25 MHz will not be enough for 4G. Winners of the spectrum would be able to use it after the concession expires.