The NBTC is eyeing the 3500 MHz portion for a private 5G network.

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) is exploring ways to allocate a portion of the frequency in the 3500 megahertz band to develop a private 5G network that can be used in industries and enterprises. It is intended to allocate about 100 MHz of the total 400 MHz bandwidth on the spectrum. The regulator is discussing the issue with stakeholders, including representatives of telecom operators, equipment suppliers, the Industrial Zone of Thailand and the Federation of Thai Industries.

According to NBTC Commissioner Somphop Puriwigraipong, this frequency band is expected to be allocated by the end of next year or early 2025. Somphop held a meeting on Nov. 7 with telecom operators and equipment suppliers, including United Information Highway, Symphony and ALT Telecom Co.

He said the allocation of this frequency band should be done carefully according to the actual demand and the NBTC's goal of building a private 5G network for various industries. In principle, the regulator plans to allocate bandwidth mainly to small and medium-sized vendors or operators of industrial zones and enterprises, whether they cooperate in deploying 5G network solutions or not.

Somfop said the allocation should not be done through an auction, which would avoid the high costs of spectrum bands and create a barrier to the development of a private 5G network. Instead, the regulator is exploring the option of a revenue sharing model, where licensees are given a grace period to use the spectrum and then begin paying a license fee based on revenue sharing to the NBTC after that period ends.

The NBTC cannot prohibit large mobile operators from participating in the allocation process, even if that portion is intended to be used primarily to develop private 5G networks for the industry.

Somfop stressed that the regulator should minimize the cost of spectrum to optimally develop 5G and create real benefits for the country. Right now, mass market use of 5G leaves a lot to be desired as most consumers only use it for video streaming and as a supplement to their 4G services. Extremely few enterprises are taking advantage of 5G opportunities due to a lack of offerings and real-world use cases.

Somphop previously said the NBTC plans to allocate the entire 3500 MHz band by 2026. The Commission is also developing a management plan for the 3500 MHz space as well as the 850 MHz, 2100 MHz, and 2300 MHz bands. A draft of the plan is expected by early next year. The National Telecommunications Company currently uses the 850 MHz, 2100 MHz and 2300 MHz bands, but they expire in 2025, after which they will be returned to the NBTC.