Two local mobile operators will ally with TOT Plc to launch a fourth-generation (4G) wireless broadband trial by the end of the year, said the head of the state telecom enterprise.
The 4G trial will use long-term evolution (LTE) technology running on the 2300-megahertz frequency.
TOT chairman Panthep Chamrasromran said some 400 4G base stations will be located in central Bangkok and some major provinces.
The two private firms are required to instal last-mile equipment and rent TOT's backbone network to provide services.
He declined to name the two firms.
Under the non-exclusive LTE agreement, he said TOT can allow other operators to access its network for services.
He said TOT will receive both a network rental fee and a management fee.
The LTE network expansion is part of the state telecom enterprise's 3G second phase.
He said the two operators will submit their trial proposals this week, and each will install equipment in 200 locations.
TOT is in talks with the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) to ask permission to use 30 MHz of the 64-MHz bandwidth on the 2300-MHz frequency during the trial.
"Both TOT's 3G second phase and LTE's investment plans will be submitted to the TOT board on Sept 17 for consideration," Mr Panthep said, adding that it will also submit its expansion plan for 200,000 WiFi hotspots, as part of the government's free public WiFi project, to the board for approval.
TOT plans to build an additional 12,000 3G base stations nationwide under the second-phase investment plan. Most of the base stations will be at TOT-owned locations nationwide, and some with private operators under a co-site network concept.
The state enterprise expects to complete its 3G network expansion nationwide by November, with a total of 5,200 base stations. Some of TOT's concessions will expire in 2013, making new revenue streams essential to the survival of the agency.
Mr Panthep also said TOT plans to combine all existing 13,000 2G base stations of its concessionaire Advanced Info Service with the state's 5,200 3G base stations and the existing 300,000 concrete telecom poles nationwide.
He said TOT would also sell or transfer all of its telecom infrastructure assets to its two subsidiaries. The latter will then rent the network infrastructure to other private operators.