The investment covers 2018 and by the end of the year the services on the 2300 MHz LTE-TDD network will reach 37 provinces, the operator said. Coverage will be nationwide next year under an overall goal to provide the services that are envisaged as handling the demands of the incoming 5G standard.

Lars Norling, chief executive of Total Access Communication (DTAC), said that the company yesterday carried out testing of the network services on the 2300 MHz spectrum for the first time in Thailand.

The firm will use advanced technology that can work with the future 5G services and help drive the country towards the goals of Thailand 4.0, Norling said. It will also spend heavily on base stations and telecommunications tower for the services that will run on the 2100 MHz and 2300 MHz spectra.

“We are continuing the densification of our network. The total investment for our 2100 MHz and 2300 MHz network is between Bt15 billion and Bt18 billion,” Norling said.

“Last year, we built over 4,000 cell towers. And this year, we are on track to repeat that. DTAC is deeply committed to building the best data network in Thailand.

“The new network is therefore the key to building Thailand 4.0 for today, but also for tomorrow.

“The 2300 MHz TDD will allow entirely new applications that require massive amounts of data. Imagine self-driving vehicles, VR goggles and farmers using automated drones to survey their fields with high-resolution cameras.”

Yesterday’s internal testing of the 2300 MHZ spectrum network services covered 10 sites in areas such as Sukhumvit, Ratchaprasong and Rama 3 in Bangkok.

“DTAC plans to roll out the 2300 MHz network in 37 provinces this year,” Norling said.

“The first areas of commercial operation will focus on high-traffic zones and will be ready for the first phase of commercial next month in Bangkok. DTAC plans to provide the 2300 MHz network services cover the whole country by the end of next year.”

Norling said that there were more than 85 models of devices – or 70 per cent of 4G devices – that worked with the 4G TDD network. The models included devices from the likes of Sony, iPhone and Samsung.

The TDD network is used widely in 57 countries, including China, India and Australia. Thailand will be the country in Asia Pacific region to provide LTE-TDD network services.

Norling said the firm has more than 20,000 telecommunications towers to provide broadband services nationwide. It plans to set up an additional 4,000 communications towers by the end of this year.

He said that the firm has a partnership with TOT to use 60 MHz of bandwidth on the 2300 MHz spectrum (from 2310-2370 MHz) to provide broadband services based on the 4G LTE-TDD (Time Division Duplex) technology.

TOT president Montchai Noosong said that partnership will enable the use of 4G LTE-TDD for the first time in Thailand.

The standard is used is used for mobile broadband and fixed wireless broadband services. It supports not only corporate business but also the upgrading of Thailand’ digital infrastructure to keep up with advances in other countries.

The goal is to plan the network utilisation to serve users nationwide. The deployment of the 60 MHz bandwidth on the 2300 MHz spectrum is suitable for wireless high-speed Internet, ensuring that 4G LTE-TDD is key to the success of Thailand’s communications and digital future, the company said.

 At the same time, TRIS Rating has assigned the rating of “A-” to CKP’s proposed issue of Bt6.5 billion in senior unsecured debentures.

The one notch below the company rating reflects the structural subordination of the proposed debentures, compared with existing loans at subsidiaries.

The proceeds from the debentures will be used for investment and refinancing its existing debt.

WHA ID, formerly known as Hemaraj Land and Development Plc, will hold 60 per cent of the new joint venture, to be named WHA Industrial Estate Rayong Co Ltd, with the remainder held by IRPC.

It will be set up in third quarter of this year with registered capital of Bt650 million. The joint-venture company will acquire from IRPC a 2,152-rai site in Ban Kai district for the industrial estate.

The site is 20 kilometres from Rayong City, 36 kilometres from Map Ta Phut Port and 50 kilometres from U-Tapao airport.

As part of the government-sponsored Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) initiative, the industrial estate will target investors in the 10 S-curve industries – such as next-generation automotive, robotics, aviation and logistics, as well as mechanical assembly, food processing and other supporting industries.

Under the management of WHA ID, the company said the estate will benefit from the company’s 30-year expertise and high standards in terms of engineering design, planning and environment protection.

WHA ID will be responsible for marketing and securing both Thai and international investors and tenants as well as implementing its best practices in terms of environment protection, water and waste management, community relations and corporate social responsibility policies.

Jareeporn Jarukornsakul, WHA chairman and group chief executive officer said the new industrial estate would enjoy a good location at Ban Khai district within the EEC.

“WHA ID will apply the highest standards for the project the benefit of all stakeholders, including our customers, employees and the surrounding communities,” Jareeporn said.

Sukrit Surabotsopon, president of IRPC, yesterday said: “This joint venture with WHA ID is based on building the synergies between the two companies.”

David Nardone, group executive industrial and international at WHA Industrial Development, said the company is looking forward to developing the new industrial estate that will be well-equipped to accommodate the EEC’s 10 S-curve industries.

“The company will deliver a state-of-the art, customer-focused world-class industrial estate that will create new demand for a skilled workforce and help boost the country’s growth,” Nardone said.

“With the establishment of WHA Industrial Estate Rayong, WHA ID confirms its leading position as the largest industrial estate developer in Thailand, with a combined area of over 48,500 rai.”