Thailand signs MoU for pilot 5G service at airports

BANGKOK (The Nation/ANN): The National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission (NBTC) on Wednesday (Jan 22) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Airports of Thailand Pcl (AOT) for cooperation in a feasibility study and operation of 5G telecommunication service at airports.

NBTC secretary-general Thakorn Tanthasit said that the MoU aims to increase the convenience of passengers and airport users by seeking suitable operators to provide 5G service via bidding methods.

“The NBTC will hold the bidding for four bands of frequency including 700 megahertz, 1800MHz, 2600MHz and 26 gigahertz, which should start from April 16 onwards, ” he said.

“Selected operators should be able to begin the installation of their equipment around March.”

Currently five operators have already submitted their envelopes, while other interested operators can still apply for the bidding before Feb 4.

Thakorn further added that this project also aims to expand the 5G service at airports into commercial use in the future, such as bringing new innovations to attract foreign tourists as well as future investors, which should help improve the country’s image as the airport is the gateway to Thailand for travellers.

“In the pilot phase, we will start providing 5G service at Suvarnabhumi Airport. If the project proves to be successful, we will expand to cover other airports especially in tourist provinces, ” he added.

Thakorn also added that by June-July, the NBTC will start providing 5G service in the Eastern Economic Corridor, which is around the same time that Japan will provide 5G service during the opening of the Olympic Games in July 2020.

“5G service will be beneficial to the aviation industry as well as other related industries such as tourism, logistics, export, agriculture and services, ” he added. - The Nation/Asia News Network