InfoQuest, (October 31, 2019) -- At a seminar themed "5G Roadmap Empowers Thailand and Leads ASEAN", Mr. Thakon Tanthasit, secretary-general of Thailand's National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), revealed that 5G spectrum auction will be launched on February 16, 2020 and 5G services will be offered from July 2020. If the plan can be implemented as the above-mentioned schedule and make Thailand outpace its neighbors in the progress of 5G offering, it is estimated that its GDP will increase at an average rate of 5.68 percent in 2020-2030.
A research has determined the pricing of 5G spectrums to be offered: 2600 MHz is worth a total of 35.37 billion baht, with 190 MHz spectrum resources and 19 licenses available, 10 MHz for each license, which is worth 1.862 billion baht; 26 GHz is worth a total of 8.1 billion baht, with 2700 MHz spectrum resources and 27 licenses available, 100 MHz for each license, which is worth 300 million baht.
According to auction rules, 10 percent license fee should be paid in the first year; the payment is suspended in the second to fourth years; 15 percent license fee should be paid in the fifth to tenth years. The prerequisite of the preferential policy is making investment in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).
"For potential investors, please believe that investment in 5G will certainly bring 5G users. With the facilitation of government policies, we are confident that production, industry, and transportation sectors will use the service," said Mr. Thakon.
According to the Prime Minister's direction, 5G must be available in 2020, noted Mr. Puttipong Punnakan, minister of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society. Not only a promise of the government, 5G matters greatly since it determines whether Thailand can realize further development. Not only related to telecommunication, 5G will reshape the face of industry and business worldwide. Besides, competition among super powers in 5G means that more production bases will be built. If we cannot attract production bases to settle down in Thailand, we will stand to lose out opportunities. At this point, ASEAN has become a focus of attention among large companies in this field. That is why we have to realize and spread 5G.
5G spectrums can not only be used in mobile phone. Besides telecommunications companies, other companies will also participate in the 5G spectrum auction, such as TOT Public Company Limited and CAT Telecom Public Company Limited. The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society will offer auction support to the two companies or the consortium they are affiliated to, making them capable of providing useful 5G services. The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society believes that 3400 MHz can also be used in 5G. If feasible, spectrums above 100 MHz can be developed for 5G.
Deputy Prime Minister Pravit Wongsuwan said that finance, manufacturing, and transportation industry can use 5G infrastructure to jointly push for the application of digital technology. As a key foundation for the adjustments of economy and social infrastructure, 5G will help narrow wealth gap, increase income, and make government services more people-friendly. Thai government attaches great importance to 5G and has set up a 5G promotion committee at national level, with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha acting as the chairman. The committee aims to promote the universal development and use of 5G technology.
Source: InfoQuest, by Khasa/Saowalak/Rachada, translated by Xinhua Silk Road
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