UPDATE 8 version 2.4 Final (December, 2015)
Winners of 1800MHz and 900 MHz bidding
Thailand’s National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has finally been able to set a timetable for the country's 4G spectrum auctions, after the cabinet gave the green light to proceed with the auctions plans.
The NBTC expects to issue 4G licenses for the 1800 MHz spectrum and the 900 MHz spectrum.
UPDATE 7 version 2.2 (October, 2015)
MobileLTE may join the 900 MHz bidding
UPDATE 6 version 2.1 (September 22, 2015)
900 MHz auction timeline and minimum bidding price
UPDATE 5 Version 1.6 (June 24, 2015)
The telecom committee of NBTC approved adding a maximum spectrum cap of 60 MHz for each operator in Thailand on June 23, 2015. The cap applies to telecom frequencies including those either under concessions or the license system and covers frequencies ranging from 470 MHz - 2600 MHz
UPDATE 4 Version 1.5 (May 15 2015)
Agreement reached between CAT TELECOM and DTAC whereas 5 MHz unused bandwidth from DTAC could be added to the auction giving it a total of 30 MHz divided into two slots of 15 MHz. However the regulator has rejected that proposal.
UPDATE 3 Version 1.4 (24 April, 2015)
Most common frequencies used worldwide for 4G/LTE
International spectrum usage
LTE FDD and LTE TDD device support
Smartphone support example
UPDATE 2: April 22, 2015. Version 1.3: MCOT has agreed to return its unused 60 MHz of bandwidth out of 144 MHz on the 2600 MHz spectrum. The state-run broadcaster will receive THB 100 million in compensation.
UPDATED April 16, 2015 Version 1.2
1. www.yozzo.com
Final version 2.4
4G AUCTION
IN THAILAND
DISCLAIMER
Some statements made in this material are forward-looking statements with the relevant assumptions, which are subject to various risks and
uncertainties. These include statements with respect to corporate plans, strategies and beliefs and other statements that are not historical facts.
These statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may”, “will”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “intend”,
“estimate”, “continue” “plan” or other similar words. The statements are based on our assumptions and beliefs in light of the information
currently available to us. These assumptions involve risks and uncertainties which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to
be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Please
note that the company and executives/staff do not control and cannot guarantee the relevance, timeliness, or accuracy of these statements.
Another free presentation from
2. www.yozzo.com
Initially, the NBTC planned to auction two slots of 12.5 MHz on the 1800-MHz spectrum, although analysts pointed out having slots of 5, 10 or 15 MHz would allow
a contiguous spectrum that would eliminate inefficiency and waste inherent in block size as well as open up the possibility of several licensing options, such as six
licenses, each featuring 5MHz bandwidth; three licenses of 10MHz each - or two licenses of 15MHz bandwidth each.
NBTC rejected an agreement between state-enterprise CAT Telecom and DTAC, to return 5MHz unused spectrum for the auction, stating it wanted to avoid
delaying the auctions. A month later, DTAC offered to add 5MHz of its un-used spectrum to the auction. NBTC said it would consider the offer, if it came without
conditions or compensation.
On June 22, 2015 - Takorn Tantasith, Secretary-general of the NBTC said DTAC failed to commit to return its unused bandwidth of 5 MHz on the 1800 MHz
spectrum without conditions or compensation. In exchange for returning the bandwidth, Mr Takorn said DTAC wanted the regulator to split the 30 MHz of
bandwidth into three slots for auction, containing 10 MHz each on the 1800-MHz spectrum, saying. "DTAC's request is unacceptable. It also shows the insincerity
of the company". Hinting that DTAC was aiming at a “easy” auction where the 3 operators AIS, DTAC and True would be the bidders/winners.
CAT/DTAC has agreed to deliver the 5MHz( 4.8MHz) to the auction without conditions and NBTC will be able to offer 2 x 15 MHz slots on the 1800 MHz spectrum.
The NBTC has set September 25 as the deadline for CAT to hand over this 5MHz bandwidth. If CAT fails to do so, the NBTC will resume the original auction plan by
auctioning only 25MHz bandwidth of 1800MHz.
12 November 2015 After approximately 30 hours and 86 rounds, NBTC announced the winners of the two 1800MHz licenses:
• True Move H Universal Communication Co Ltd, a subsidiary of True Corporation, won the first 1800MHz license with a bid of THB 39.79 billion.
• The second 1800MHz license went to Advanced Wireless Network Co Ltd, a unit under Advanced Info Service (AIS), with the winning bid at THB 40.99 billion
19 December 2015:
After approximately 65 hours and 199 rounds, the NBTC announced the winners of the two 900MHz licenses: True Corporation, won one 900MHz
license with a bid of THB 76.3 billion, while Jas won the second lot with the winning bid at THB 75.67 billion
3. An LTE trial was approved on 2300 MHz by the NBTC.
TOT partnered with its concession holder AIS to trial 2300 MHz LTE TDD in
20 MHz of its total 64 MHz allocation, using 20 base stations in central Bangkok.
www.yozzo.com
Digital Phone Co (AIS Subsidy) joined with CAT Telecom to test LTE1800 from mid-January 2012 in Mahasarakham
Japanese Telco, Softbank has formed a partnership with TOT which will focus on joint
development of a 2300 MHz LTE TDD network using TOT's bandwidth. It is likely that the
LTE network will be used for mobile backhaul for Wi-Fi access points and mobile cell sites.
The 2600 MHz frequency band has been assigned to MCOT and is utilized for MMDS technology. However,
MCOT, a broadcast company, is a not a 100% privatized company and a large part of its shares are held by
the Ministry of Finance.
UPDATE, April 22, 2015 MCOT has agreed to return its unused 60 MHz of bandwidth out of 144 MHz on the
2600 MHz spectrum. The state-run broadcaster will receive THB 100 million in compensation.
5. www.yozzo.com
TrueMove H under the True Corp was the first to introduce
4G LTE in Thailand with a trial service in February 2013
True utilizes 10 MHz of its 15 MHz of bandwidth on the 2100
MHz spectrum to offer 4G, via its roughly 10,000 network sites
nationwide.
True Move went commercial with the 4G and claims 2,000,000
4G subscribers Q3 2015
6. DTAC currently utilizes 5 MHz of bandwidth on the 2100 MHz
spectrum to offer 4G service, with the remainder being used
for 3G.
The company currently uses all 25MHz of its bandwidth on the
1800MHz spectrum for 2G cellular service, while it uses the
850MHz spectrum to provide 3G.
DTAC claims 1,600,000 4G subscribers Q3 2015
www.yozzo.com
7. Source: Nokia Solutions and Networks (Thailand).
Thailand has 40 million smartphones, of which 25% are 4G-enabled devices
www.yozzo.com
14. The government has agreed with the digital economy panel's resolution to set aside other telecommunications spectra for 4G mobile
phones apart from the existing 900 MHz and 1800 MHz spectra. Some portion of the 2300 MHz and 2600 MHz spectra may be options.
www.yozzo.com
TOT 64 MHz
2300 MHz 2400 MHz
2300 MHz (*TDD-LTE)
TOT Plc, holds 64 MHz of the 2300 MHz spectrum, which is currently unused.
The ICT Ministry and TOT are studying the possibility of bringing the unused portion of TOT's 2300 MHz spectrum up for auction in order
to increase the amount of bandwidth.
In exchange for the 2300 spectrum's return, TOT suggested to keep the 900 MHz spectrum that AIS has used to provide public telecom
service for 10 years.
UPDATE April 18, 2015 – TOT will ask NBTC for permission to keep 20 MHz of its 64MHz bandwidth to provide services under the
universal service obligation (USO) scheme. If NBTC declined its request, TOT would ask the National Digital Economy Committee to permit
it to use the spectrum to provide 4G technology under the USO scheme.
15. www.yozzo.com
MCOT Plc and the Public Relations Department (PRD) holds 128 MHz and 26 MHz, respectively, of the 2600 MHz spectrum.
MCOT earlier allowed IBC to use the band for multichannel multipoint distribution service (MMDS) to provide a pay-TV service until 2009.
In 2010 MCOT, agreed to let Playwork use the band to offer a pay-TV and wireless broadband service for 15 years. It also signed a contract
with CAT Telecom to provide the network for the service. The now defunct, National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) declined to
permit Playwork to test the service, since the spectrum was allocated for telecom purposes, not broadcasting.
UPDATE, April 22, 2015 MCOT has agreed to return its unused 60 MHz of bandwidth out of 144 MHz on the 2600 MHz spectrum. The
state-run broadcaster will receive THB 100 million in compensation. NBTC told Bangkok Post the sum of THB 100 million in compensation
had been calculated on the potential revenue MCOT expected to gain during the concession period.
The Public Relations Department (PRD), which holds 24MHz of bandwidth on the same 2600 MHz spectrum, has taken the NBTC to the
Central Administrative Court for reclaiming its spectrum for reallocation.
MCOT 48 MHz
Expires in 2015
2500 MHz 2608 MHz
2600 MHz (*TDD-LTE & FDD-LTE)
2536 MHz 2584 MHz 2592 MHz
16. www.yozzo.com
Criteria Frequency band
700 MHz 800 MHz 900 MHz 1800 MHz 1900 MHz 2.1 GHz 2.3 GHz 2.6 GHz
Signal propagation characteristics 1 1 1 2 2 3 4 6
Whether spectrum band is assigned internationally (or
regionally) for LTE
2 2 3 1 5 4 2 1
Availability of network equipment and consumer devices
(including handsets)
3 1 6 3 5 3 4 2
Availability of paired bands for uplink and downlink
transmissions (assuming the band is to be used for FDD)
or a large contiguous spectrum block if the TDD use is
proposed (or single TDD band)
1 1 3 2 3 2 1 1
Whether the band is cleared (or clean) of incumbent
users
3 2 2 1 2 2 2 3
Need for coordination or other complex negotiations with
other users and neighboring countries
1 2 2 2 1 2 2 1
Total 11 9 17 11 18 16 15 14
Analysis of preferred spectrum bands for LTE deployment (ITU, 2012)
Score 1 - 6 with 6 being the ideal score
18. www.yozzo.com
15 MHz
Total 30 MHz
15 MHz
Minimum
THB 15.912 billion
Minimum
THB 15.912 billion
• The license-term is 18 years.
• The winning bidders must roll out their 4G networks to cover 50% of the population within eight years after obtaining a license.
In 2014 the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) valued the
full spectrum at THB 663 million per MHz
NBTC's telecom committee then finalized the total spectrum value at
THB 16.57 billion for a pair of 12.5MHz blocks - before discounting it
30% to the starting price of THB 11.6 billion per license.
August 20, 2015:
NBTC’s Telecom committee approved an increase in the minimum
starting bid for each of the two licenses on the 1800 MHz spectrum
to THB 15.912 billion, or 80% of the full spectrum price.
After approximately 30 hours and 86 rounds, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications
Commission (NBTC) announced the winners of the two 1800MHz licenses:
True Move H Universal Communication Co Ltd, a subsidiary of True Corporation, won the first 1800MHz
license with a bid of THB 39.79 billion.
The second 1800MHz license went to Advanced Wireless Network Co Ltd, a unit under Advanced Info
Service (AIS), with the winning bid at THB 40.99 billion
19. The auctions of 20 MHz of bandwidth on the 900 MHz spectrum
will be divided into two slots of 10 MHz each.
The starting price for each 900MHz license is THB 12.864 billion,
which is 80% of the full value of THB 16.08billion
www.yozzo.com
10 MHz
Total 20 MHz
Minimum
THB 12.864 billion
10 MHz
• The license-term is 15 years.
• The winning bidders must roll out their 4G networks to cover 50% of the population within four years after obtaining a license and 80% within 8 years.
• Winners will have to pay the up-front license fee in three annual instalments of 50% of the full amount in the first year and 25% in both the second and third year.
Minimum
THB 12.864 billion
After approximately 65 hours and 199 rounds, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications
Commission (NBTC) announced the winners of the two 900MHz licenses:
True Corporation, won one 900MHz license with a bid of THB 76.3 billion.
While Jas won the second lot with the winning bid at THB 75.67 billion
20. www.yozzo.com
There will be an income of at least THB 45.65
billion for the four licenses and further investment
about THB 150 billion for network installation
Takorn Tantasith, Secretary General of the National
Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission
“
”
@TakornNBTC Twitter, 15 April 2015
The two 1800MHz licenses alone provided THB 80.78 billion
While the two 900MHz licenses provided THB 151.95 billion
19 December 2015
21. The cap applies to telecom frequencies including those either under concessions or the license system and covers
frequencies ranging from 470 MHz - 2600 MHz
Those owning 60MHz of bandwidth will be allowed to bid for new spectrum licenses, but if they win, they would
have to transfer existing bandwidth equal to what they gathered
www.yozzo.com
60 MHz
The telecom committee of NBTC approved adding a maximum spectrum cap of 60 MHz for each operator in Thailand on June 23, 2015
August 19, 2015: NBTC has decided to remove the plan to cap the total spectrum bandwidth that telecom operators can own after the bid.
23. JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Aug. 28 - Sept. 28
One month sale of
bidding documents
July 17 - August 18
Public hearing
August 26
Draft auction plan
submitted to Royal Gazette
September 30
Bidding envelopes
submitted
October 21
Qualified bidders
to be announced
November 11
Auction date
www.yozzo.com
We do not rule out the possibility of further delays and changes to the auction
24. AUG SEP OCT NOV
Sept. 24 - Oct. 21
One month sale of
bidding documents
August 5 - September 9
Public hearing
September 23
Draft auction plan
submitted to Royal Gazette
October 22
Bidding envelopes
submitted
November
Qualified bidders
to be announced
December 15
Auction date
www.yozzo.com
Takorn Tantasith, Secretary General of the NBTC, told “The Nation”, that the 900MHz auction will start at 9am on December 15.
If no winners have emerge before 9pm, the bidders would be allowed to take a break
until midnight and then another break at 6am until 9am, when the bidding will resume until the winner emerge.
We do not rule out the possibility of further delays and changes to the auction
DEC
26. www.yozzo.com
Advanced Info Service (AIS) True Corp Total Access Communication Jasmine International (JAS)
Subsidy Subsidy Subsidy Subsidy
Advanced Wireless Network TrueMove H Universal Communication
Hutchison Telecommunications (Th.)
Real Move
DTAC Trinet
DTAC Broadband
JAS MOBILE BROADBAND
THB 40.99 billion THB 39.79 billion THB 17.9 billion THB 38.99 billion
27. www.yozzo.com
Advanced Info Service (AIS) True Corp Total Access Communication Jasmine International (JAS)
Subsidy Subsidy Subsidy Subsidy
Advanced Wireless Network TrueMove H Universal Communication
Hutchison Telecommunications (Th.)
THB 76.3 billion
DTAC Trinet
DTAC Broadband
JAS MOBILE BROADBAND
THB 75.67 billion
28. AIS fully supports holding the auctions of 900 and 1800 MHz spectra as soon as possible.
It currently provides 2G mobile service on 17.5 MHz bandwidth of the 900 MHz spectrum under a
concession with TOT, which is due to expire in September 2015.
AIS will participate in both auctions and hopes to win at least two licenses, one on each spectrum. If
it gets both, as hoped, it will use 1800MHz for 4G.
AIS expects to be able to start service 3-4 months after obtaining the license.
AIS plans to split the 900 MHz in half with 5 MHz bandwidth for its 2G subscribers and 5 MHz for 3G,
especially in the provinces.
www.yozzo.com
29. Bidding in the auctions are subsidies: DTAC Trinet and DTAC Broadband.
The company provides 3G service on 15 MHz of bandwidth on the 2100 MHz spectrum under a
license with the NBTC.
DTAC has a total of 50 MHz on the 1800 MHz spectrum under a concession with CAT, which is due to
expire in 2018 and it has another 10 MHz of bandwidth on the 850 MHz spectrum under its contract
with CAT.
On September 14, the NBTC agreed to let DTAC upgrade its existing 1800MHz frequency to provide a
4G wireless broadband service.
www.yozzo.com
30. JAS MOBILE BROADBAND, a newly established subsidiary of Jasmine International, has confirmed in
is joining the bidding for the 1800 MHz licenses. It has set aside a budget of min. THB 50 billion for
the bidding and for the rollout of the network.
JAS originally planned to spend THB 25-35 billion on the initial 4G investment scheme. Of the total,
THB 15-20 billion was marked for the license auction and the remaining 10-15 billion for network
spending.
JAS aims to secure around 3 million subscribers to the 4G service within a year of operations by
tapping 1.8 million existing broadband subscribers of Jasmine's broadband Internet service provider
Triple T Broadband.
www.yozzo.com
31. MobileLTE is a newly established consortium consisting of ICT and oil trading companies. The
company was one of the companies seeking a partnership with TOT. Mobile LTE proposed to partner
with the state agency to provide 3G mobile broadband service on 2100MHz as a mobile virtual
network operator (MVNO), aiming to acquire between 12 million and 15 million subscribers.
MobileLTE said that if TOT selected Mobile LTE as its strategic partner, the company would forge a
partnership with AIS to help it develop the business under the new partnership.
However, MobileLTE has since redrawn the offer to TOT citing lack of resources.
Advanced Information Technology (AIT) owns 20% of Mobile LTE.
Yanyong Akrajindanon, a former AIS executive is now the director of MobileLTE.
www.yozzo.com
MobileLTE
32. The subsidies: TrueMove H Universal Communication, Hutchison Telecommunications (Thailand) and
Real Move are bidding in the auction.
The delays to the 4G spectrum auction has been beneficial for True, as it could maintain its
competitive 4G advantages, gaining market shares at the expense of AIS and DTAC.
However, the 4G spectrum auction would clear out such competitive advantages and level the
playing field in the market.
True would have a strategic reason to outbid DTAC in the auction to overtake DTAC and take the
number two position in the market.
www.yozzo.com
33. www.yozzo.com
Concession License Concession License Concession License
Cellular towers 13,690 6,000 11,000 1,500 6,000 11.845
Installed BTS/Node B
850 MHz 0 0 5,000 0 0 14,000
900 MHz 15,000 0 0 0 0 0
1800 MHz 4,000 0 11,000 0 7,000 0
2100 MHz 0 20,500 0 12,500 0 5,000
Total 19,000 20,500 16,000 12,500 7,000 19,000
Grand Total 39,500 28,500 26,000
2G Coverage 97% of Population 95% of Population 90% of Population
3G coverage 97% of Population 88% of Population 97% of Population
4G Coverage 0% of Population 10% of Population 30% of Population
36. www.yozzo.com
450 MHz
The 450 MHz band is attracting interest for rural coverage and for M2M service applications in some regions of the world. LTE450 is commercially launched in
Finland. In Singapore, SingTel is now deploying 3-band 450 Mbps LTE-Advanced. LTE450 is standardized by 3GPP as band 31
700 MHz
10 operators have commercially launched LTE using APT700 (700 MHz) band 28 spectrum. 42 countries have allocated, committed to or recommend APT700
band 28 spectrum for LTE deployments. 76 APT700 (band 28) user devices comprising smartphones, tablets, CPEs and MiFi hotspots have been announced.
800 MHz
800 MHz (band 20) is the most popular sub 1 GHz coverage band choice for LTE with over 1 in 5 operators currently using this spectrum globally.
1800 MHz
The most widely used spectrum for LTE with 45% of networks. 176 LTE1800 networks, have launched commercially in 86 countries. 1800 MHz also continues
to dominate the user devices ecosystem as more than 43% of LTE user terminals can operate in the 1800 MHz band.
2300 MHz
Band 40 (2.3 GHz) is the most widely deployed spectrum. 16 operators have deployed both FDD and TDD modes in their networks. Converged LTE networks
with both FDD and TDD modes deployed is a growing priority for many operators.
2600 MHz
The next most popular contiguous band for LTE deployments is 2.6 GHz (band 7) and is used in almost 25% of networks.
TD-LTE
While most operators deployed LTE networks in paired spectrum using the FDD mode, the LTE TDD mode (TD-LTE) for operators with unpaired spectrum
continues to develop in all regions, and particularly in China. 54 operators, more than 1 in 8 of all LTE operators, have commercially launched LTE service
using the TDD mode in 34 countries. 38 operators used TDD mode only while 16 operators used both FDD and TDD
Source: Global Mobile Suppliers Association 2015
37. Band 38: 2600 MHz (IMT-E)
Band 40: 2300 MHz
Band 41: 2500 MHz
Band 42: 3500 MHz
www.yozzo.com
Band 1: 2100 MHz (IMT)
Band 2: 1900 MHz (PCS)
Band 3: 1800 MHz (DCS)
Band 4: 1700 MHz (AWS)
Band 5: 850 MHz (CLR)
Band 7: 2600 MHz (IMT-E)
Band 8: 900 MHz (E-GSM)
Bands 12-17: 700 MHz (USMH, LSMH)
Band 20: 800 MHz (EUDD)
39. www.yozzo.com
LTE FDD
1800 MHz Band 3 1,543 devices
2600 MHz Band 7 1,381 devices
2100 MHz Band 1 1,185 devices
800 MHz Band 20 812 devices
AWS Band 4 727 devices
800/1800/2600 Tri-band 739 devices
700 MHz Bands 12 or 17 650 devices
850 MHz Band 5 684 devices
900 MHz Band 8 668 devices
700 MHz Band 13 457 devices
1900 MHz Band 2 535 devices
1900 MHz band 25 194 devices
APT700 Band 28 139 devices
700 MHz band 12 106 devices
LTE TDD
2300 MHz Band 40 869 devices
2600 MHz Band 38 752 devices
1900 MHz Band 39 630 devices
2600 MHz Band 41 625 devices
3500 MHz Band 42,43 32 devices
Source: Global Mobile Suppliers Association 2015
Note that several devices are multiband and/or multimode
Most devices operate in the FDD mode. However
the number of terminals that supports LTE TDD
is growing strongly and gaining share. 1,210
devices or 37.2% of all LTE devices, compared to
28% in July 2014, supports LTE TDD
40. 4G FDD-LTE
Band 1 (2100MHz),
Band 2 (1900MHz),
Band 3 (1800MHz),
Band 4 (AWS),
Band 5 (850MHz),
Band 7 (2600MHz),
Band 8 (900MHz),
Band 13 (700MHz),
Band 17 (700MHz),
Band 18 (800MHz),
Band 19 (800MHz),
Band 20 (800MHz),
Band 25 (800MHz),
Band 26 (800MHz),
Band 28 (700MHz),
Band 29 (700MHz),
4G TD-LTE
Band 38: 2600 MHz,
Band 40: 2300 MHz,
Band 41: 2500 MHz,
Band 42: 3500 MHz.
www.yozzo.com
4G FDD LTE
Band 1 (2100MHz),
Band 2 (1900MHz),
Band 3 (1800MHz),
Band 4 (AWS),
Band 5 (850MHz),
Band 7 (2600MHz),
Band 8 (900MHz),
Band 12 (700MHz),
Band 17 (700MHz),
Band 18 (800MHz),
Band 19 (800MHz),
Band 26 (800MHz),
Band 28 (700MHz)
4G TDD LTE
Band 40 (2300MHz)
41. www.yozzo.com
Yozzo is a Telecom Consulting firm, specializing in Information and Communications Technology (ICT).
We assist public and private sector clients in their decision making through market insights, experience and technical
skills. Our clients includes: Governments, Telecom Regulators, Telecom operators, MVNO’s, Mobile device manufacturers,
Retailers, Software & Service providers, Media and Broadcasting companies.
We approach consultancy engagements from a commercial perspective, with the aim of adding significant value to your
business by identifying and pursuing: growth opportunities, create products, services, and businesses that improve the
efficiency, productivity, and profitability of your business.