Thailand’s National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) plans to allocate 100 megahertz of spectrum on the 4800MHz band free of charge to factories to accelerate the development of 5G private networks.
According to NBTC commissioner Somphop Purivigraipong, the allocation will be strictly for non-profit use, aimed at enhancing industrial operations and capabilities. Enterprises, factories, and industrial estate operators can apply for the spectrum, whether they choose to partner with equipment vendors or telecom operators. However, they will be prohibited from offering commercial services to external users.
The NBTC also foresees some firms becoming private network operators (PNOs), directly using the 4800MHz band to deliver services to factories. In such cases, spectrum rights may be awarded through auctions. Major telecom operators will be allowed to participate but will face restrictions: they cannot use the 4800MHz band for consumer mobile services, nor integrate it with their existing 2600MHz networks.
“The purpose of the 4800MHz allocation is mainly for factories and enterprises requesting the spectrum for their operations,” said Somphop. “Allocation of the 4800MHz band should promote real use cases for 5G private network adoption nationwide.”
Currently, 5G in the consumer market is underutilised, largely serving video streaming and supplementing 4G services. Few factories have adopted 5G via telecom operators’ 2600MHz networks due to limited industrial use cases. The NBTC believes this new allocation will encourage practical deployment of 5G private networks.
The regulator had previously considered assigning parts of the 3500MHz band, the most widely used globally for 5G, but technical challenges remain, particularly interference with satellite TV broadcasting. While the NBTC has contemplated auctioning 100MHz of the 3500MHz band by 2027, opposition from the Association of Digital TV Broadcasting has delayed progress, as broadcasters rely on the 3500–3800MHz range.
With the 4800MHz band now prioritised for industrial use, Thailand aims to accelerate private 5G adoption, supporting factory automation, smart manufacturing, and other enterprise-driven digital transformations.
