NBTC consults govt on timing of 2G switch-off after spectrum auctions

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NBTC consults junta on timing of 2G switch-off after spectrum auctions
USANEE MONGKOLPORN
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE NATIONAL Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has consulted the junta on when it should switch off second-generation cellular service after its two spectrum auctions.

The telecom bandwidth on the 1,800-megahertz spectrum it put up for auction yesterday was earlier held by TrueMove and Digital Phone Co (DPC), while the 900MHz spectrum, which will be auctioned on December 15, was held by Advanced Info Service (AIS).

The commission is concerned that these companies' 2G customers will be inconvenienced if it switches off their service too early, NBTC secretary-general Takorn Tantasith said yesterday.

The NBTC proposed to the junta three options for switching off 2G on the 900MHz and 1,800MHz spectra. It could take place seven days after the auctions are completed, or when it awards the licences to the successful bidders, or once the bid winners kick off the service.

The NBTC will award the licences before the end of this year, while the bid winners are expected to introduce their services early next year.

Originally the NBTC had planned to unplug the 1,800MHz 2G service on November 18 and 900MHz on December 22.

There are 43,000 TrueMove and 380 DPC subscribers who have yet to migrate to other networks after those companies' concessions expired in September 2013. AIS still has around 2.2 million users on its 2G-900MHz network after its concession ended on September 30 this year.

The number of 3G subscribers jumped from 3.7 million in 2012 to 88 million last year. There are around 4 million 2G subscribers at present, including those of Total Access Communication (DTAC).

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/NBTC-consults-junta-on-timing-of-2G-switch-off-aft-30272750.html


-- The Nation 2015-11-12

[IAMHERE]

Took almost 2 hours to get upgraded from 2G sim to a 3G sim/phone at AIS recently. If you get a SMS from AIS3G about 200 baht for an upgrade from your 2Gsim to a 3G phone/sim, try to go to AIS when they are not busy. Oh ya, good luck with that and bring a book.

Edited November 12, 2015 by IAMHERE

[Usernames]

Took almost 2 hours to get upgraded from 2G sim to a 3G sim/phone at AIS recently. If you get a SMS from AIS3G about 200 baht for an upgrade from your 2Gsim to a 3G phone/sim, try to go to AIS when they are not busy. Oh ya, good luck with that and bring a book.

Yes, the lines are awful. Didn't take me two hours but it did take just a little over one hour at the Central Salaya mall, which is way out in the boonies.