THE NATIONAL Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has consulted the junta on when it should switch off second-generation cellular service after its two spectrum auctions.
The telecom bandwidth on the 1,800-megahertz spectrum it put up for auction yesterday was earlier held by TrueMove and Digital Phone Co (DPC), while the 900MHz spectrum, which will be auctioned on December 15, was held by Advanced Info Service (AIS).
The commission is concerned that these companies' 2G customers will be inconvenienced if it switches off their service too early, NBTC secretary-general Takorn Tantasith said yesterday.
The NBTC proposed to the junta three options for switching off 2G on the 900MHz and 1,800MHz spectra. It could take place seven days after the auctions are completed, or when it awards the licences to the successful bidders, or once the bid winners kick off the service.
The NBTC will award the licences before the end of this year, while the bid winners are expected to introduce their services early next year.
Originally the NBTC had planned to unplug the 1,800MHz 2G service on November 18 and 900MHz on December 22.