AIS aims to start LTE trials on Jan 31

Thailand's AIS plans to conduct a series of LTE trials on multiple bands, commencing on or around January 31.

 

The operator plans to conduct trials in conjunction with both state-owned operator, TOT and CAT Telecom, AIS CEO Wichian Mektrakarn told Bangkok Post.

 

The TOT trial will use the 2.3-GHz band, including 20 MHz of AIS's existing spectrum. TOT and AIS will jointly set up 84 joint cell cites in Bangkok.

 

The simultaneous second trial will use CAT's 1800-MHz spectrum. Both trials will be non-commercial.

 

AIS rival True Corp is also awaiting permission to conduct and LTE trial on the 1800-MHz band.

 

AIS told the Post it has yet to set any 3G investment and network coverage targets, as it will need to wait until the long-anticipated 3G auction before it knows how much spectrum, and from which band, it will have available.

 

Plans for a 3G auction in 2010 were derailed after the authority of then-outgoing telecom regulator NTC to oversee the process was called into question.

 

New regulator the National Broadcasting and Telecom Commission has announced a target of conducting the 3G auction by the third quarter of this year.