NBTC gives MCOT bandwidth lifeline
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has given the green light to MCOT Plc to use a portion of bandwidth on its 2600MHz spectrum to resume providing pay-TV service on new wireless broadband technology, after several years of suspension.
The resolution ends uncertainty over the spectrum ownership of MCOT on the 2600MHz band, as the interpretation regarding ownership was split between two committees: the telecom committee and the broadcasting committee of the NBTC.
The regulator allowed MCOT to use 30MHz of bandwidth out of its total unused 190MHz on the 2600MHz spectrum to resume providing pay-TV service again through its remaining five-year concession.
MCOT will deploy broadband wireless access (BWA) technology for its pay-TV service.
BWA refers to inherent network mobility in a geographical area and managed mobility between fixed networks. It facilitates and ensures mobile device connectivity and communication.
Last November, MCOT for the first time asked the NBTC for the network code, but the watchdog’s broadcasting committee declined to grant to it, saying that the code is reserved for telecom operators.
The code allows operators to identify themselves when their networks connect with other networks. The lack of a network code kept MCOT from being able to provide pay-TV service, even for tests.
NBTC secretary-general Takorn Tantasith said the NBTC board had endorsed allowing MCOT to work on network code. But MCOT must use the 2600MHz spectrum for broadcasting purposes only, not telecom service.
Mr Takorn also said that the use of 30MHz on the 2600MHz spectrum will not affect the NBTC’s plan to auction 90MHz of bandwidth on the 2600MHz spectrum by February 2018.
“MCOT has pledged to return the bandwidth portion to the NBTC for auctions,” he said.