The regulator has reserved the range 814-824MHz and the range 859-869MHz for the Public Protection and Disaster Relief (PPDR).

NBTC secretary-general Takorn Tantasith said recently that he would submit police request to the telecom panel for its consideration.

General Dejnarong Sutthicharnbancha, the Royal Thai Police spokesman, said recently after meeting with the NBTC over the spectrum request that the police would utilise the 4G technology and advanced devices to ensure public safety.

The police have already allocated a budget for the matter this year, he said.

He said that the NBTC had a role to support national security.

Other state agencies could use the planned 4G public safety network or the integrated communications channel for national security, he said.

He said the service would be initiated in Bangkok before expanding to other provinces.

The project did not require a heavy investment and would be carried out to provide the public with maximum benefit, he said.

A NBTC source said that the licensing body was highly likely to award the band to the project but on the condition it would be used on a PPDR basis only.

The project will also have to allow other national security agencies to use the band, the source said.

The NBTC would have to speak to other national security agencies to see what |they think about the project, the source added.

Earlier, police received a 450-470MHz band but it has been fully used.