It’s a country ahead of the curve in many areas, but wireless innovation is not one of them. But don’t count them out just yet. One high-profile Thailand mobile operator is right on the cusp of launching Long Term Evolution (LTE), as promised. What is the status? Trial and error! Let’s dive into understanding the hold up for LTE Networks in Thailand – 2013 Forecast & Trends.
Wireless operators in Thailand announced late last year that they would get together to test and ultimately launch a large-scale LTE network, beginning with a trial, as reported by Wires&Waves. State-run Thai telco Telephone Organization of Thailand (TOT), revealed a plan to launch a 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) mobile broadband trial by the end of 2012, alongside two other operators. The trial is using 2300MHz band frequencies across 400 locations (200 sites each) and utilizing TOT’s backbone network to provide services to end-users. The trial covers central Bangkok and some major provinces.
“TOT remains in discussion with the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) for permission to reuse 30MHz of an existing 64MHz allocation of 2300MHz spectrum for 4G services.” [1]
True Corp, Thailand’s third largest mobile operator, jumped on board and announced it will also launch an LTE network by the end of this month, in Bangkok, bypassing 3G completely. According to Developing Telecoms, the operator plans to launch its service on the 2100MHz band. True Corp also owns 1800MHz spectrum which it uses for EDGE and GPRS services and has a build transfer operate (BTO) contract with CAT Telecom. An initial launch in Bangkok is the logical choice for a first phase role out. The city offers a mix of technology enthusiasts and business users who demand high speed mobile data connectivity. True Corp was award the 2100MHz spectrum in October 2012 by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC).
Using the 2100MHz band, however, is a little unexpected because originally, the operator requested to test LTE on the 1800MHz in January 2012. “The 1800MHz band is one of the most suitable bands for LTE as it offers good coverage which reduces the number of base stations required, excellent data capacity, good in-building penetration compared to spectrum above 2GHz and LTE devices in this band are widely available. In countries where there are extreme weather conditions, Internet is predominantly accessed from indoors which requires spectrum with high building penetration capabilities.”
LTE’s Potential in Thailand
In the past, the mobile market in Thailand has suffered many hindrances due to political and regulatory setbacks. However , things are changing in the markets and the auctioning of the 2100MHz spectrum, and the LTE trials themselves signal how advances are being made, for the better. Why?
- 4G trials have already been carried out.
- Other operators will join the 4G race as the regulator is set to award 4G licenses in 2013.
- Initial services are likely to be dongle only however there are a wide range of LTE compatible devices on the market. [2]
For these mobile operators, it’s essential that these trials go well, and move quickly. For competitive purposes, whoever finished a successful trial first will be in much better shape, especially in a country where 4G technology and LTE have yet to make a debut.
[1] The future of LTE in Thailand, Wires&Waves, http://blogs.terrapinn.com/telecoms/2012/11/20/future-lte-thailand/
[2] True Corp leads Thailand’s LTE race: Service launch planned for April 2013 in Bangkok, Developing Telecoms, http://www.developingtelecoms.com/true-corp-leads-thailands-lte-race-service-launch-planned-for-april-2013-in-bangkok.html
