Feb 16 5G bid set to generate B54bn for state coffers

Feb 16 5G bid set to generate B54bn for state coffers

Advanced Info Service turns up to pick 5G bid documents from the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission on Tuesday. (Photo by @TakornNBTC Twitter account)
Advanced Info Service turns up to pick 5G bid documents from the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission on Tuesday. (Photo by @TakornNBTC Twitter account)

The four-spectrum licence auction on Feb 16 is expected to generate 54 billion baht for the state, while activities related to 5G adoption could contribute 177 billion baht to the economy this year, according to the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission.

The intake of 177 billion baht would account for 1.02% of GDP of 17.3 trillion projected this year, NBTC secretary-general Takorn Tantasith told a seminar titled “2020: The year of investment/exit for Thailand”, held by Matichon Group on Wednesday.

“5G adoption is expected to help push up the value of the overall economy this year,” said Mr Takorn.

The NBTC will auction off four spectra on Feb 16, comprising 15 megahertz of bandwidth on the 700-megahertz range, 35MHz of bandwidth on 1800MHz, 190MHz of bandwidth on 2600MHz as well as 2700MHz of bandwidth on the 26-gigahertz range.

Of 56 spectrum licences put up for auction, the NBTC expects 25 will be snapped up by mobile operators, he said.

They consist of two licences on the 700MHz range, 19 licences on the 2600MHz range and four for the 26GHz range.

He said 5G adoption is likely to spur the local economy for years to come.

It could contribute 177 billion baht to the economy this year, 332 billion in 2021 and 476 billion in 2022.

Mr Takorn said Thailand would become the first mover in 5G commercial service in Asean and the service could be launched in May.

As the baht has strengthened, he said it is a good opportunity for Thai operators to import necessary devices and equipment for 5G adoption.

“You should quickly buy the equipment. You can turn the crisis into an opportunity,” said Mr Takorn.

He said five potential telecom and mobile operators have turned up to pick 5G bid documents from the NBTC. They are Advanced Info Service, True Move H Universal Communication, Total Access Communication as well as TOT and CAT Telecom.

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