PUBLISHED : 21 Sep 2025 at 09:08
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The mobile spectrum could suffer a shortage by the end of the year, threatening internet speeds, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has warned.
The commission has projected Thailand’s demand will reach 615 megahertz (MHz) in 2025, warning that without additional auctions, the country could face slower internet speeds and unstable mobile signals.
The NBTC says Thailand currently holds 620 MHz of spectrum for mobile services.
However, if expiring licences had not been re-auctioned, the available spectrum would have dropped to just 500 MHz — far below the projected demand, leaving a shortfall of more than 100 MHz.
Such a shortage, the regulator said, could lead to degraded mobile network quality, including unstable voice calls, reduced internet speeds, interruptions during video streaming and lag in online gaming — particularly during peak usage periods.
The NBTC’s data shows that internet usage in Thailand has steadily increased, rising from an average of 25.45 GB per user in 2022 to an expected 27.20 GB this year. Meanwhile, spectrum demand has grown from 539 MHz to an estimated 615 MHz this year.
Looking ahead, the NBTC said it will continue managing spectrum efficiently and confirmed plans to auction off additional bands that are set to expire to meet rising demand nationwide.