Thailand's National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission will offer 5G frequencies across four spectrum bands in an auction set for Feb. 16, 2020, Bangkok Post reported.

The telecom regulator will first auction off licenses for 700 MHz spectra, before proceeding to the 1,800 MHz, 2,600 MHz and 26 GHz bands. The auction will be open to any potential bidders.

Thailand's three major operators were not pleased with the decision, as they do not want the auction to be opened to new telecom players or uncommitted bidders, an industry source told Bangkok Post. State-owned CAT Telecom PCL, which did not commit to joining in the auction, is interested in 700 MHz licenses for its wireless broadband service.

The regulator's telecom committee earlier proposed to remove some 700 MHz spectra from the auction due to technical issues. The said range is currently used by broadcasting network operators.

The commission will release invitations to bid on Feb. 2-3, 2020, with the bid documents and bank guarantee due Feb. 4, 2020. The list of qualified bidders will be announced Feb. 12, 2020, according to the report.