Thailand’s NBTC Plans Free 4800-MHz Spectrum Allocation to Boost Private 5G Networks

In a significant move to advance private 5G network adoption, Thailand’s National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) is set to allocate 100 MHz of free spectrum in the 4800-MHz band. This initiative is aimed at enabling factories, enterprises, and industrial estate operators to establish private 5G networks under a Private Network Operator (PNO) license. According to reports from the Bangkok Post, the regulator’s groundbreaking decision involves offering the spectrum at no cost, encouraging industries to spearhead their digital transformation efforts.

Encouraging Private 5G Networks for Internal Use

The spectrum allocation will be strictly for internal, non-commercial operations. NBTC Commissioner Somphop Purivigraipong emphasized that enterprises utilizing the 4800-MHz band must adhere to certain conditions, ensuring they only use the spectrum for private operations and not for providing commercial 5G services. For companies that wish to deploy the spectrum to serve external customers, participation in an auction process will be required. This clear differentiation aims to encourage innovation within industries while maintaining regulatory oversight to prevent misuse of the spectrum.

Licensing and Collaboration Opportunities

Somphop further elaborated that companies interested in leveraging the 4800-MHz spectrum could collaborate with telecom operators or equipment vendors to implement their private 5G networks. The regulator’s goal is to reduce barriers to entry and offer enterprises a streamlined process for adopting advanced wireless infrastructure. With this opportunity, industrial operators will have greater flexibility to design custom 5G solutions tailored to their specific operational needs without needing to rely solely on commercial network providers.

Addressing the Slow Adoption of Private 5G

This policy stems from the regulator’s observations that uptake of private 5G networks on the widely used 2600-MHz band remains limited due to scarcity of use cases. By allocating the 4800-MHz band exclusively for private networks, the NBTC hopes to address this adoption gap. The policy is intended to promote digital transformation in Thailand’s industrial sectors, fostering innovation that could elevate productivity and optimize workflows. Telcos, while allowed to bid for the 4800-MHz spectrum, are restricted from utilizing it as a roaming band for existing 5G customers. This ensures that the spectrum remains focused on supporting private network infrastructure development rather than integrating into existing consumer services.

Implications for the Telecom and Industrial Sectors

The NBTC’s decision marks a pivotal shift in how spectrum is allocated for private use, potentially serving as a blueprint for other countries seeking to empower industries via 5G technology. Industrial estates, manufacturing plants, and enterprises embracing this initiative could gain a competitive edge by deploying specialized 5G applications such as IoT, automation, and remote monitoring. Meanwhile, telecom operators will likely explore partnerships with these enterprises to secure a foothold in the rapidly evolving private 5G sector.