Carrier aims to start offering service in Q3 2016 through CAT’s 850 MHz spectrum
Thai mobile operator True Move plans to launch LTE services through spectrum in the 850 MHz band in the third quarter of 2016.
The announcement comes after Thailand’s National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission allowed state-owned telecom operator CAT Telecom to upgrade its 3G network, which operates in partnership with True Move under a wholesale/resale agreement.
True Move said it has already installed approximately 14,000 3G base stations across Thailand using the 850 MHz band. The telco plans to make all necessary investments for the network upgrade. In turn, True Move will be allowed to rent up to 80% of CAT Telecom’s 850 MHz network until 2025.
CAT president Col Sanpachai Huvanandana said the future deployment of LTE services using the 850 MHz spectrum band is a win-win situation for both operators. “The upgrade should allow us to accommodate skyrocketing mobile data traffic and increase our revenue,” The Bangkok Post reported the executive as saying.
The executive also said CAT aims to tap 20 megahertz of spectrum in the 1800 MHz band to support LTE services. The spectrum is currently being used by mobile operator DTAC to provide 2G service, with its lease set to expire in 2018.
True Move currently controls 15 megahertz of spectrum in the 2.1 GHz band, 15 megahertz in the 1800 MHz band, 10 megahertz in the 900 MHz band and 15 megahertz of spectrum in the 850 MHz band. The telco currently has approximately 18 million mobile subscribers in Thailand, with nearly 11% on the carrier’s LTE network.
3Macau launches LTE network
Mobile operator 3Macau last month launched LTE services in Macau. The telco, owned by telecom group Hutchinson, rolled out its LTE network covering 90% of the outdoor areas in Macau. 3Macau’s LTE infrastructure is designed to deliver peak data speeds up to 112 megabits per second.
3Macau obtained a LTE license in March for the provision of mobile services through spectrum in the 1800 MHz band.
