AIS optimistic on 4G broadband trial by month's end | Bangkok Post: business

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Advanced Info Service (AIS), the country's largest mobile operator, says it can begin testing its fourth-generation (4G) cellular broadband service in conjunction with TOT Plc and CAT Telecom on Jan 31.

Wichian Mektrakarn, AIS's chief executive, said the company will conduct a non-commercial trial with TOT to provide 4G service using long-term evolution (LTE) technology on the 2.3-gigahertz spectrum.

The state telecom agency will use 20 megahertz of its total 64-MHz bandwidth of the spectrum during the trial.

Simultaneously, AIS will introduce another non-commercial trial with CAT to provide 4G LTE service on the state enterprise's 1800-MHz spectrum.

AIS and TOT will jointly set up 84 cell sites in Bangkok and some major provinces to conduct the testing.

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has approved the joint applications of AIS/TOT and AIS/CAT to offer LTE 4G trials.

Under its policy, operators can offer the service for 90 days, with an extension for another 90 days.

The NBTC has given approval to mobile operators to test 4G service on the 2.3-GHz and 1800-MHz frequencies.

True Corporation, the parent of mobile operators True Move and Real Move, has also asked permission from the NBTC to test 4G service on the 1800-MHz frequency.

Mr Wichian said the 4G trial is aimed at stimulating the latest technologies, a positive example of how the company supports the government's objective of promoting innovation.

"Trial service is planned for Jan 31, or early February at the latest," he said.

AIS has yet to implement any policy direction in the 3G business, waiting instead for the auction of 3G licences to be held by the third quarter.

"We need to know which frequencies and bandwidth we will obtain from the NBTC before determining our 3G plan in terms of investment amount and network coverage expansion," said Mr Wichian.