Thailand has raised more than US$3.2 billion in
an auction of 5G licences, as operators race to bid for high-frequency
spectrums needed for the commercial roll-out of 5G in the country later this
year.
A total of 48 licences were snapped up within five hours, with Thailand’s largest mobile operator Advanced Info Service taking home within the most licenses: 23 across the 700 MHz, 2600 MHz band and 26 GHz bands.
True Corporation, the second-largest operator, obtained 17
licenses — nine from 2600 MHz range and the rest from 26 GHz band, while Total
Access Communication, the third-largest operator, walked away with two, both
from the 26 GHz range.
Thailand’s National Broadcasting &
Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) secretary-general Takorn Tantasith, said:
“Thailand’s 5G technology is expected to help drive the economy by at least 177
billion baht (US$5.4 million) this year, accounting for 1.02% of the country’s
GDP.”
He also believes that the value will double within the next 12 months.
With the
5G roll-out, Thailand is expected to become one of the first countries in South-east
Asia to commercially introduce 5G to the public.
