NBTC sheds light on 2027 auction plans

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) plans to auction 45 megahertz of bandwidth on the 2100MHz band and a portion of the 3500MHz band in the third quarter of 2027.

- KOMSAN TORTERMVASANA

The reallocation is to benefit the telecom industry, in line with bandwidth management and consumption in the digital era, said NBTC commissioner Somphop Purivigraipong, who oversees the telecom sector.

The 45MHz on the 2100MHz spectrum is now being used by major mobile operators, who obtained the band in an auction in 2012. Their licences expire in late 2027.

The 3500MHz band has the most potential range for 5G adoption globally, especially for operating 5G private networks by local industrial sectors and enterprises.

There is up to 700MHz of bandwidth on the 3500MHz spectrum that could be allocated, said Mr Somphop.