The telecom regulator recently awarded SET-listed Thaicom a licence to use foreign satellite transponders to provide domestic services through US firm Globalstar's low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite service network.
It is the first licence that involves LEO satellite services.
A regulation issued by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) in 2020 obliges local operators who wish to use foreign satellite transponders to provide services to others, and a foreign satellite operator who wants to provide satellite services in Thailand to obtain a licence.
AM Thanapant Raicharoen, an NBTC commissioner, said the licence allows Thaicom to operate services which pertain to personal safety and management solutions for the tourism and maritime industries as well as ground stations via foreign satellites.
"The licence does not yet cover broadband business," he said. "In the future, Thaicom may have to submit documents and information to the NBTC for consideration if it wants to provide broadband services in the country through foreign satellites."
The NBTC has awarded several licences to operators that want to use foreign satellites to provide domestic services since 2020, he said.
According to AM Thanapant, satellite-based broadband services are likely to come into the country in the future as several global operators continue to develop the technology.
LEO satellites operate between 500 and 2,000 kilometres above the Earth's surface compared to the 36,000km height of geostationary satellites, the traditional type of communications satellites.
The key advantage of the lower orbit is lower latency. This will benefit everyone with access to high-speed internet via 5G technology, Internet of Things (IoT) devices and machine-to-machine technology.
Thaicom chief executive Patompob Suwansiri previously told the Bangkok Post the collaboration with Globalstar is its first commercial partnership in the LEO satellite business.
The company holds exclusive distribution rights for Globalstar services in Thailand, he said, adding that LEO satellite services are part of its business diversification plan.
"The collaboration would complement Thaicom's portfolio," he said.
Thaicom signed a partnership deal with Globalstar in March last year.
The agreement sees Globalstar hire Thaicom to develop, equip and operate ground station facilities in Thaicom's Teleport Centre in Pathum Thani for Globalstar's LEO satellite constellation.
The infrastructure and services of the ground station will enable the deployment of commercial LEO satellite services by Globalstar in the region, according to Thaicom.
The deal also makes Thaicom the exclusive partner to distribute the services of Globalstar's LEO satellites in Thailand.
Thaicom will commercialise services and solutions powered by LEO satellites to improve the safety of people at sea.
"When the services which ensure maritime and tourism safety are launched, it will be the country's first solutions via LEO satellites' capacity," Mr Patompob said.
Globalstar is keen to run the LEO satellite business for IoT solutions that allow businesses to streamline operations providing safety and communication and enabling mobile assets to be monitored remotely via the its satellite network.
He said Thaicom is in talks with other LEO satellite operators to explore new business opportunities.