Thailand’s National Broadcasting and Telecommnications Commission has poured cold water over the enthusiasm for the upcoming 4G auction by saying that 2600-MHz is not a standard 4G frequency and that the upcoming auction should focus on refarming 900 and 1800.
Citing an unnamed NBTC commissioner, the Bangkok Post newspaper reported that the auction deadline of August was unworkable due to martial law and that November would be more likely. That commissioner said that work on the 4G auction cannot begin until July in order to comply by a junta order to postpone the auction by one year.
The source also said that despite the high profile announcements by the government on Tuesday, the NBTC has not received anything in writing (as of Thursday).
Earlier, deputy prime minister Pridiyathorn Devakul said he would negotiate with MCOT, formerly the Mass Communications Organisation of Thailand, for the transfer of 2600 from its current use in broadcasting for 4G.
The NBTC commissioner said that few phones supported 2600 MHz and its use was restricted mainly to USB dongles.
However, 2600-MHz or Band 7 is widely used in Hong Kong (China Mobile, CSL, Genius), Malaysia (DiGi, Celcom, Maxis, UMobile), the Philippines (Globe), Singapore (Singtel, M1, Starhub) and South Korea (LG U+).
Virtually all modern phones except those destined for the North American market support LTE band 7.