Thaicom to exit satellite C-band
November 12, 2019
By Chris Forrester
Thai satellite operator Thaicom will exit the 3400-3700 MHz bands (C-band) in order to help 5G cellular deployment. The frequencies are utilised on Thaicom 5.
Thaicom CEO Anant Kaewruamgvongs says that the satellite operator will co-operate with the country’s National Broadcasting & Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) to ensure optimum public benefits.
The NBTC will compensate Thaicom for the release of the frequencies.
Thailand’s NBTC and the nation’s Digital Economy & Society ministry are ultimately the owners of the spectrum under a concession which ends in 2021.
“Thaicom has to wait for an official letter from the DES Ministry and the NBTC, as well as the discussion framework and study from the NBTC’s advisory team, which will be appointed in the near future,” Anant said.
The NBTC announced last week that it would hold a four-spectrum auction for 5G on February 16th. The ranges are 700MHz, 1800MHz, 2600MHz and 26GHz.