Department of Rail Transport joins BTS-AIS to test 5G spectrum Confident that it will not affect passengers, showing to prepare to install spectrum filter for full protection

Wednesday 26 February 2020 08:37
Mr. Sorapong Paitoonphong, Director General of the Department of Rail Transport, Ministry of Transport, along with Mr. Surapong Laoha-Unya, Chief Executive Officer of Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company Limited or BTS SkyTrain, and Mr. Wasit Wattanasap, Head of Nationwide Operations and Support Department, AIS together confirm the readiness to jointly test the use of telecommunications spectrum not to affect the electric train passengers. After the announcement of the launch of 5G service, the results of the test have not found any effect on the operation of the SkyTrain.
Department of Rail Transport joins BTS-AIS to test 5G spectrum Confident that it will not affect passengers, showing to prepare to install spectrum filter for full protection

Mr. Sorapong Paitoophong, Director General of the Department of Rail Transport, Ministry of Transport, said "Department of Rail Transport (DRT) as the government agency who is responsible for the railway system of the country. DRT is providing importance to the people who use the mass transit system and the users of the 5G mobile network. Therefore, we have a meeting with the agencies that involved and test the spectrum at BTS Siam Station, which is a joint operation between Advanced Info Service Company Limited (AIS), the service provider of 5G network, and BTS, the mass transit SkyTrain system (Green Line) in order to test the difficulties and obstacles, including find ways to prevent such incidents to deliver confidence in the stability of the electrical SkyTrain system, which the initial test results have not found any effect at all. However, the Department of Rail Transport has requested both companies to test the effect continuously, including required BTS to complete the installation of spectrum filter equipment on the line within 5 months to build trust among mass transit SkyTrain users in Bangkok and its perimeter.

Mr. Surapong Laoha-Unya, Chief Executive Officer of Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company Limited or BTS SkyTrain, emphasized that "BTS provides importance to this issue and regularly follow the news with studies to prevent the effect on the SkyTrain operation. But lately, NBTC has announced a new plan for international mobile telecommunications spectrums on 24 December 2019 as a part of preparing for the 5G spectrum auction. BTS, therefore, discussed the details with the NBTC to study and prepare to prevent the effect on the SkyTrain operation and also reviews with relevant agencies, especially Bangkok and the Department of Rail Transport to prepare to prevent possible problems and most importantly, the company has closely coordinated with the manufacturers and particularly telecommunications service providers. When AIS, the winner of the auction with the 2500 - 2600 MHz spectrum, which is closer to the radio spectrum through the 2400 - 2500 MHz that the signaling system of the BTS is using. We, accordingly, work closely with AIS to prevent interruptions and hold measures together to prevent the effect on the SkyTrain operation, which have been tested together and have not found any problems but will continue to test at all times and all lines to guarantee confidence, and prepare to install a spectrum filter protection system in case if there is a hidden intervention from various spectrums, so that the SkyTrain won't have any problems in the long term."

Mr. Wasit Wattanasap, Head of Nationwide Operations and Support Department, AIS, said, "We have always provided priority to preventing the effects of spectrums and continuously working with both public and private partners. For BTS, which is one of the most important public transportation systems of the urban people, AIS has prepared joint testing since the pre-auction period. The spectrum that AIS auctioned is 2500-2600 MHz, which is near to the spectrum that BTS uses to provide the service. Accordingly, the team has started working together since the end of the year 2019 and more determined after the successful auction on all BTS lines, which is in the area of 4G and 5G network expansion. And the initial testing has not found any impact at all. However, we will continue to test continuously to increase the confidence of passengers and guaranteeing that people will use the best communication and transportation systems."

In this regard, the Department of Rail Transport would like to thank NBTC, AIS, and BTS in support and cooperation in solving problems that may affect the train system. Therefore, people can be safe and use both the communication system and the SkyTrain system with the most efficiency.

Department of Rail Transport joins BTS-AIS to test 5G spectrum Confident that it will not affect passengers, showing to prepare to install spectrum filter for full protection Department of Rail Transport joins BTS-AIS to test 5G spectrum Confident that it will not affect passengers, showing to prepare to install spectrum filter for full protection Department of Rail Transport joins BTS-AIS to test 5G spectrum Confident that it will not affect passengers, showing to prepare to install spectrum filter for full protection