Last week I wrote that Thailand should actively consider skipping 3G altogether in favor of a 4G network. Today’s Bangkok Post, in commentary by Don Sambandaraksa, Peering through the dust that’s settled over 3G, now that 3G spectrum auctions are tied up in litigation and TOT has been approved 19 million Baht to expand their 3G network.
In the commentary Sambandaraksa acknowledges that the 800 MHz spectrum currently used by CAT in service of their 3G CDMA network could also be used for 4G. He goes on to point out that DTAC also has an option to deploy LTE if they are granted a license concession n 1800 MHz. This clearly establishes that spectrum is not an impediment to deploying a 4G network. Thanks for your support, Don. But I beat you to it. Just kidding.
Certainly other concern exists, such as nationwide availability of Metro Ethernet for Base Station backhaul and reliable Internet access. I’ll be writing more on those topics soon.