NTC to set industry technology rules

Suranan Wongvithayakamjorn, secretary-general of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), said yesterday the regulations will require companies planning network upgrades or launches of new technology services to seek the NTC's permission first.

Only the spectrum owners are eligible to ask for permission, meaning TOT Plc or CAT Telecom, but they can also do so on behalf of their private telecom concessionaires.

The NTC has already granted permission to TOT to allow Advanced Info Service (AIS) to upgrade its network for the High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) mobile broadband technology to provide 3G services on its existing 900 MHz spectrum. TOT owns AIS's concession.

Total Access Communication (DTAC) and True Move are awaiting permission from their state concession owner, CAT Telecom, to upgrade their networks to offer 3G services.

DTAC will offer the 3G services on its existing 850 MHz spectrum, while True Move is asking CAT for the 800 MHz spectrum to offer 3G services.

The Information and Communication Technology Ministry earlier this week told CAT's board to grant DTAC and True Move permission to upgrade their networks next week.

The 3G HSPA technology enables telecom operators to provide data services such as video calls at high speed to subscribers with compatible mobile phones.

In a separate matter, Suranan said True Move recently requested an additional four million mobile-phone numbers from the NTC.