BANGKOK (WiMAX Day). The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) in Thailand announced that it will issue licenses for WiMAX spectrum by the end of 2007. NTC Commissioner Prasit Prapingmongkolkarn said at a public opinion seminar last week that the NTC would issue licenses for 2.5 GHz and 3.5 GHz spectrum based on technology neutrality in an open bid auction.

Three companies in Thailand already have licenses for WiMAX spectrum, which were issued by the now defunct Frequency-Allocation Committee. Satellite operator ShinSat is testing 3.5 GHz spectrum, pay-TV operator UBC True has a license for 2.5 GHz and incumbent telecom operator Telephone Organization of Thailand (TOT) has a license for 2.4 GHz spectrum.

According to a report in the Bangkok Post, one company that intends to compete for new licenses is Pacific Internet Thailand, “which has earmarked an investment of up to one billion baht in WiMAX wireless broadband services this year once the NTC issues the licences.”