NBTC Broadcasting Frequency Allocation
NBTC Broadcasting Frequency Allocation refers to the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission spectrum-management framework. Administers spectrum auctions for 5G mobile bands (700MHz, 2600MHz, 26GHz), digital terrestrial TV (DTT) frequency allocation, broadcasting frequency licensing, and foreign-ownership cap enforcement. Coordinates with Ministry of Digital Economy and Society on national spectrum strategy. Frames structural Thai mobile-telecom spectrum positioning for AIS, True, and dtac/True merged entity.
Profile overview
NBTC Broadcasting Frequency Allocation refers to the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission spectrum-management framework. Administers spectrum auctions for 5G mobile bands (700MHz, 2600MHz, 26GHz), digital terrestrial TV (DTT) frequency allocation, broadcasting frequency licensing, and foreign-ownership cap enforcement. Coordinates with Ministry of Digital Economy and Society on national spectrum strategy. Frames structural Thai mobile-telecom spectrum positioning for AIS, True, and dtac/True merged entity.
Business segments / Programs
5G Spectrum Management
Mobile broadband frequency auctions
NBTC auctioned 5G spectrum across 700MHz, 2600MHz, and 26GHz bands in 2020-2021. AIS, True, and NT (National Telecom) hold licenses. 5G coverage reached 77% of population by 2024 on 2600MHz band.
Digital Terrestrial TV
DTT frequency allocation and must-carry
NBTC administers 22 licensed DTT channels on the UHF band including four public channels and 18 commercial licenses. Must-carry rules require cable and satellite operators to carry all free-DTT channels.
Sector position — Thai telecom spectrum holders
AIS (SET:ADVANC)
Spectrum bands held
700MHz, 1800MHz, 2100MHz, 2600MHz, 26GHz
Mobile subscribers 2024
46M+
Market share
~47%
True Move H (post-merger)
NT (National Telecom)
Spectrum bands held
2100MHz, 2600MHz
Mobile subscribers 2024
5M
Market share
~5%
NBTC (regulator)
Spectrum bands held
All spectrum authority
Mobile subscribers 2024
N/A
Market share
N/A
| Operator | Spectrum bands held | Mobile subscribers 2024 | Market share |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIS (SET:ADVANC) | 700MHz, 1800MHz, 2100MHz, 2600MHz, 26GHz | 46M+ | ~47% |
| True Move H (post-merger) | 700MHz, 850MHz, 1800MHz, 2600MHz | 35M+ | ~36% |
| NT (National Telecom) | 2100MHz, 2600MHz | 5M | ~5% |
| NBTC (regulator) | All spectrum authority | N/A | N/A |
Watchpoints 2025-2026
Spectrum
700MHz re-farming for 5G rural
NBTC is managing the 700MHz re-farming process to redeploy spectrum from legacy LTE to 5G SA (Standalone) for rural broadband. Completion targeted by end of 2025.
Merger review
True-dtac post-merger conditions monitoring
NBTC imposed 5-year post-merger monitoring on the True-dtac combination approved in 2022. Annual compliance reporting on pricing, roaming, and wholesale access obligations due through 2027.
Policy
DTT channel licence renewals
First-round DTT broadcasting licences issued in 2013-2014 expire 2028-2029. NBTC will begin renewal hearings in 2025. Several channels may not be renewed given the structural shift to streaming.
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