Ericsson Thailand’s 5g vision: Auctioning spectrum for
king-sized connectivity
Atima Homtientong
2923.09.15
To boost 5G development in the kingdom,
Ericsson Thailand advises
the auctioning of the 3,500-megahertz spectrum by 2025, thus ensuring the best
economic value and meeting consumer and enterprise needs. If the National
Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) fails to
allocate the 3,500MHz spectrum range by then, it may have to reallocate the
2,300MHz spectrum after 2025 when the National Telecom’s spectrum
usage rights expire.
Igor Maurell, head of Ericsson Thailand, suggests that
the reallocation of the 2,300MHz spectrum could help existing telecom operators
optimise the spectrum, complementing the middle bands currently used for 5G
service provision. The auction or reallocation should be based on affordable
prices to attract potential telecom operators.
The 3,500MHz range is globally acknowledged as an
integral part of the middle band for 5G development. Its adoption by mobile
phone operators for 5G is a top priority. Europe already has operators offering
5G commercial service through various networks and devices using the 3,500MHz
range.
Maurell emphasises that adopting 5G on 3,500 MHz would
bolster Thailand’s regional competitiveness, enhancing network capability,
performance, and value creation through monetising fixed wireless access (FWA)
services for consumers and businesses.
A working panel was previously established by the NBTC to
prepare for the auction of 3400-3700 megahertz licences, but the plan was
abandoned after the 5G licences auction in February 2020. Maurell recognises
Thailand’s progressive stance on 5G, noting its dynamic market and tech-savvy
consumers.
Ericsson estimates reveal that Thailand had over 85% of
5G population coverage at the end of 2022. It predicts data consumption per
subscription in Thailand to increase from 32.7 gigabytes (GB) per month in 2022
to nearly 80 GB per month in 2025. As data traffic and 5G subscriptions are
expected to increase by 300% and 500% respectively by 2028, 5G is anticipated
to manage the growing network capacity requirements.
Innovations in 5G use cases and technology were exhibited
at Ericsson’s recent Imagine Live Thailand 2023 event. The event highlighted
energy-efficient radio solutions, holographic communications, digital twins,
and network automation demonstrations.
Maurell suggests that to keep up with the high growth
rate and demands in the Thai market, Thailand needs to evolve its 5G
infrastructure through the 5G standalone (SA) network. This would support
future services such as AR/VR gaming, remote control, and industrial and urban
control efficiently.
The 5G SA, which is progressively being deployed
globally, offers faster content access, improved throughput, and supports
network slicing, 5G reduced capability (RedCap), and VoNR (voice-over new
radio).
Maurell also encourages the diversification of Thailand’s
digital infrastructure to attract foreign direct investment (FDI). Although
Thailand’s data consumption and 5G adoption are rapidly increasing, it lags
behind some regional countries in terms of 5G development. He cites Malaysia’s
5G, which is now the world’s fastest, as an example.
The Indian market’s 5G network rollout, considered the
world’s fastest with 100,000 sites within ten months, is another point of
interest. Additionally, he emphasises the importance of zero-touch operations
for secure, reliable, and efficient network operations.
