Telecom operators can now apply for licences to provide wireless broadband Internet access known as WiMax, the National Telecommunica-tions Commission (NTC) has announced.

NTC commissioner Sethaporn Cusripituck said yesterday that telecom companies could provide Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax) wireless broadband Internet on the 2.5GHz and 3.5GHz spectrum bands.

The 5GHz spectrum, which is commonly used for WiMax in other countries, will not be made available at this stage.

The 2.5GHz and 3.5GHz spectrums had already been allocated for WiMax use by the Frequency Allocation Panel, which was dissolved after the NTC was established.

Shin Satellite, True Corp Plc and TOT Plc stand to be the first telecom operators to develop WiMax as they already own the available spectrums and have used them for their existing businesses.

ShinSat owns the 3.5GHz spectrum; True's pay TV operator, UBC True, owns the 2.5GHz spectrum; and TOT owns the 2.4GHz spectrum, which falls within the range of the spectrums to be made available.

Sethaporn said telecom operators that do not yet own a spectrum allocation could still apply for a WiMax licence so long as sufficient WiMax spectrum bands are available.

He said offering WiMax licences was in line with the Council of State's ruling that the NTC could pursue spectrum management activities in the absence of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) as long as the activities did not relate to broadcasting spectrums.

"WiMax is [only] for the telecom business," Sethaporn said.

He said the NTC would be flexible in allowing telecom operators to utilise their existing spectrums according to their needs, instead of specifically ruling on what usage was allowed.

This approach is considered to be more in line with international practice.

Meanwhile, the NTC remains uncertain as to whether it can issue licences to operate third-generation - or 3G - mobile-phone networks in the NBC's absence as 3G can be used for both telecommunications and broadcasting services.

The NBC has been unable to convene since last November, when the Central Administrative Court invalidated the process of having a PM's Office-sponsored panel select 14 candidates for the seven NBC seats, citing its constitutionality.

Frequency-allocation laws mandate the NTC and the NBC jointly develop a national frequency table, manage the telecom and broadcasting spectrums and prescribe spectrum regulations.

"The NTC will discuss ways of resolving the issue with the government and relevant state agencies soon," Sethaporn said.

Major telecom operators are pre-sently waiting for licences to be made available to operate third-generation or 3G mobile-phone technology, which will enable them to offer bandwidth-hungry services such as live video broadcasting.

Usanee Mongkolporn

The Nation