The telecom regulator and three major mobile operators are working hard to ensure communication networks perform smoothly during the royal cremation ceremony.
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has prepared six mobile transmission vans around the areas to detect possible interference to telecom and broadcasting signal during the royal funeral, while telecom companies will provide free mobile services in Sanam Luang and adjacent areas to help mourners attending the ceremony.
Mobile leader Advanced Info Service (AIS) has increased its WiFi capacity to offload its mobile network and offer free public WiFi service in Sanam Luang, where the royal cremation ceremony is being held, and the surrounding area from Oct 13 to 29.
AIS will also supply water and transport for people wishing to join the royal cremation cermony. The country's largest telecom provider will make available 300 motorcycles for free rides to the public from 8am to 10pm on Oct 26. The motorcycles will be available at four major transport hubs: Mor Chit and Ekamai bus terminals, Hua Lamphong railway station, and the Phaya Thai airport rail link station.
AIS also supports the 913 number of the Royal Navy's emergency medical rescue ships, which are equipped with an array of medical equipment. On Oct 26, AIS will also help move emergency patients by setting up a communication system to relay audio and video data from the ship to the hospital.
Second-ranked True Move will offer free buses, vans and motorcycles from 6am to 6pm on Oct 25 and 26 to transport people from select hubs to Sanam Luang and surrounding areas. There are five pickup points: Hua Lamphong and Mor Chit MRT stations; Bitec centre at Bang Na; Future Park department store at Rangsit, and Bangkok bus terminal (South) on Boromratchonnanee Road.
True has also expanded its mobile signal around Sanam Luang, the Grand Palace, and the royal crematorium replicas to support people attending the Oct 26 ceremony.
The company will also enable its TrueMove H customers to view the live broadcast of the ceremony on its mobile app without using data. Customers seeking to make use of the live broadcast should dial *957*99 and press call.
Third-ranked Total Access Communication (DTAC) has ramped up its network capacity for massive traffic usage around the Grand Palace, Sanam Luang and Ratchadamnoen Road through DTAC's small cell sites, and mobile signalling vans. Some of its staff will be available all day on Oct 26 to monitor the system and solve unexpected interference problems.
