Thailand's National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission has rejected a plan submitted by state-owned operator TOT covering the launch of mobile broadband services over the 2300-MHz band.
The regulator has dismissed TOT's recently submitted four page business plan as lacking several essential details, the Bangkok Postreported.
According to the NBTC, the plan lacked important elements including network rollout plans as well as a proposed launch timeline. In addition, TOT's plan to use all 60 MHz of its 2300-MHz spectrum has been deemed excessive.
The regulator has given TOT a further three months to submit an improved plan. The NBTC agreed in October last year to allow TOT to deploy mobile broadband services on its unused 2300-MHz spectrum and operate these services until 2025.
NBTC commissioner Prawit Leesathapornwongsa has indicated that if TOT fails to launch services using the spectrum by the end of 2017 it may be recalled, as regulations require licensees to launch services within two years of receiving approval to use allocated bandwidth.
TOT is searching for a strategic partner for its wireless broadband foray, and has sent out feelers to equipment suppliers and local operators over a potential alliance.
TOT has also indicated it is in talks with four international operators - including China Telecom - over a potential fixed-line broadband partnership.
The operator is also in discussion with one more company from China, one from Japan and one from Indonesia, over the potential fixed-line partnership the Nationreported.
A strategic partner will help TOT survive in Thailand's highly competitive fixed broadband market, the report states.