AIS and True must lodge more details on MCOT pay-TV test

THE OFFICE of the National Broadcasting and Telecom-munications Commission has asked Advanced Info Service (AIS) and True Corp to submit more details on their plans to join with MCOT for test-airing pay TV on their mobile-phone networks using MCOT’s 2.6-gigahertz band.
AIS subsidiary Advanced Wireless Network (AWN) and TrueMove H Universal Communication (TUC) had asked the NBTC to allow MCOT to use their mobile network codes on their long-term-evolution (LTE) fourth-generation networks for a trial run of broadcasting pay TV on the 2.6GHz band. 
The NBTC office wants to learn more details of the planned test to consider whether it should grant the request. The network code allows telecom operators |to identify their networks when communicating with one another.
AWN on February 1 asked the NBTC for a permit for this joint use of its network code by MCOT, while TUC made a similar request last Friday.
After receiving their requests, the NBTC asked both telecom operators to present their technical details about the test, plus related investment plans and details on the technology needed to operate the test. It also wants them to clarify whether the planned test complies with its broadcasting and numbering other regulations. 

Lack of clarity over rights
It is unclear if MCOT has rights to the 2.6GHz band. The NBTC panel assigned to study state agencies’ spectrum ownership ruled recently that MCOT no longer had rights over the band, contradicting an earlier NBTC board ruling.
In the middle of last year, MCOT asked AIS, Total Access Communication (DTAC) and True to join in the test airing of the pay-TV service on 2.6GHz but only AIS and True agreed to take part. DTAC declined to participate based on the view that the NBTC allows MCOT to use the band only for a broadcasting service.
Then MCOT reached an agreement with AIS and True Corp for both telecoms to set up the LTE network for MCOT to test-broadcast the pay-TV signal.
MCOT asked for the network code for the first time last November but the NBTC’s broadcasting committee declined to grant to it, citing that the code is only for telecom operators. The lack of a network code means MCOT cannot test provide the pay-TV service on the LTE network using 2.6GHz.
MCOT reportedly wants to test-use 2.6GHz to confirm its ownership of that spectrum to NBTC. This would enable MCOT to be compensated when it returns part of the spectrum to the NBTC.
According to the new draft of the Frequency Allocation Act, also known as the NBTC law, state agencies will be allowed to return unused spectrum bands to the NBTC for auction and get compensation.
A telecom-industry observer said telecom operators were keen to partner with state agencies |to co-use their spectra. 
This would pave the way for them to gain additional bandwidth without the need to bid for pricey spectrum licences.