Taiwan sets 4G auction date, Thailand announces 3G plans

Taiwan will begin work on the introduction of 4G technologies in July 2013 with a view to rolling out services in 2014, while Thailand’s telecoms regulator has approved plans for the country’s 3G auction, which is to be held later this year, according to local reports.

Taiwan’s national communications commission minister Su Herng told local newspaper Taiwan Today that the country’s Cabinet has greenlighted its plan for implementing 4G telecom standards and that the issuing of licenses will be completed by June 2014.

“As part of this process, the NCC is consulting with the private sector and all relevant parties, as well as mapping out complementary measures addressing the needs of business and the public,” Su added.

Meanwhile, in Thailand, the board of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has approved three master plans governing spectrum management, telecom and broadcasting, ahead of its 3G auction, according to the Bangkok Post. The auction will be for spectrum in the 2.1GHz frequency and is scheduled for September 2012.

NBTC secretary Thakorn Tantasit said details of the three master plans will be released on its website by the end of March 2012.

In Thailand, the operators owning licences and operating services are TOT Plc, CAT Telecom and Aeronautical Radio of Thailand. CS LoxInfo and Aces Co have also applied for operating licences.