Enterprise Ecosystems

NBTC to allocate 4800-MHz spectrum to factories for private 5G

NBTC to allocate 4800-MHz spectrum to factories for private 5G

Thailand’s National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) reportedly plans to allocate 100 MHz of free spectrum in the 4800-MHz band to encourage factories to develop private 5G networks.

According to a report in the Bangkok Post on Monday, the NBTC plans to allocate the 4800-MHz spectrum under a private network operator (PNO) licence to enterprises, factories and industrial estate operators who ask for it.

NBTC commissioner Somphop Purivigraipong said the regulatory body will grant the spectrum on request whether the PNO applicants collaborate with an operator or a telecoms equipment vendor, the report said.

Somphop also said the spectrum will be allocated for “non-profit use with conditions”, meaning that enterprises can only use the spectrum for their own internal operations – they can't deploy 5G as a commercial service.

The NBTC also said that if enterprises want to use the 4800-MHz band to serve their customers, they may be required to bid for the spectrum via auction.

Telcos will also be allowed to bid for 4800-MHz spectrum, but they can only use it to offer private 5G network services. Using the spectrum as a roaming band for their existing 5G customers using the 2600-MHz band would be prohibited under the scheme, the report said.

Somphop reportedly said the regulator decided to offer the 4800-MHz spectrum direct to factories and industrial estates to promote private 5G because few are adopting private 5G solutions using the 2600-MHz band used by telcos, which he attributed to “limited use cases”.



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