The Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry plans to seek approval from the cabinet next week for National Telecom's (NT) 5G business project worth 12 billion baht, capitalising on the 2.6-gigahertz spectrum range.
The project involves a joint venture with Taiwanese firm Chunghwa Telecom (CHT) to pursue a 5G private network service for enterprises.
The DES Ministry is also considering plans to support NT as the government representative in the national space economy, as the state enterprise is scheduled to participate in the satellite orbital slot auction slated for Jan 15.
DES Minister Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn said yesterday the ministry would submit the proposal for NT's 2.6GHz project aimed at delivering the 5G private network to the cabinet for approval next week.
CHT has agreed to collaborate with NT to develop the 5G private network via the 2.6GHz range.
NT has joined forces with CHT to develop smart solutions for the 5G private network so vertical enterprises can cash in on the digital transformation trend. The solutions are expected to be provided from July.
The first batch of smart solutions involves over 10 use cases in manufacturing, agriculture, telehealth, smart living and smart cities.
Mr Chaiwut said NT has submitted details of adjusted conditions in its business project leveraging the 700-megahertz spectrum range to the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) following the council's request.
For the 700MHz range, NT will operate the business on its own through 10MHz of bandwidth.
"NT has set an investment budget of 1.4 billion baht for the 5G service on the 700MHz range," said Mr Chaiwut, noting that this project requires the approval of the NESDC.
Regarding the upcoming satellite orbital slot auction, Mr Chaiwut said NT is among three companies that had submitted bid envelopes to join the bidding.
The move comes as the cabinet resolved to allow NT to participate in the auction.
The participation was also assigned by the National Space Policy Commission and the National Digital Economy and Society Commission, in line with the country's satellite development policy.
"NT's budget for the auction has been set," said Mr Chaiwut, although he declined to divulge the amount of budget involved or the slots NT aims to bid for.
"We have to wait for the auction's result, but we also have a second plan," he said.
If NT fails to gain any slots from the auction, the DES Ministry may have to talk with the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, requesting it allot some specific slots for NT to run satellite services for the public's benefit, said Mr Chaiwut.
The ministry would wait for the results of the auction before going into the details, he said.
The auction offers five slot packages, covering 50.5° East and 51° E with a starting price of 374 million baht; 78.5° E with a starting price of 360 million; 119.5° E and 120° E with a starting price of 397 million; 126° E with a starting price of 8 million; and 142° E with a starting price of 189 million.