Passengers on Bangkok's Skytrain can expect services to go without a hitch this weekend, its operator says after agreeing to replace its radio frequency transceivers to end signal interference glitches, which have caused extensive delays since Monday.
Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTSC) chief executive Surapong Laoha-Unya promised Wednesday to replace radio transmission equipment, install filters, and switch the frequency by Friday midnight.
He made the promise Wednesday during talks with state-owned telecommunications company TOT and Total Access Communication (DTAC), mediated by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC).
The talks were called to address worsening delays on the Skytrain that have left thousands of passengers stranded at stations this week.
TOT and DTAC which is licensed to use the 2300-MHz spectrum became embroiled in the matter on Monday when BTSC, on its website, accused a mobile phone operator of causing signal interference.
The operator was presumed to be DTAC as it uses the 2300-2370-MHz frequency range.
The Skytrain operator has for over a decade enjoyed using the unlicensed 2400-MHz spectrum range for the train's signalling system.
Speaking after the meeting, NBTC secretary-general Takorn Tantasith said the regulator recommended BTSC shift the frequency range from the 2400-MHz to the 2415-MHz slot to between 2480 and 2495-MHz to avoid potential signal interference.
Mr Takorn said TOT will temporarily shut down 10 of its 2300-MHz base stations along Skytrain routes over the next few days to let the BTSC replace signal transmission equipment.
DTAC representative Narupon Rattanasamaharn said the temporary closure of the base stations will have a slight impact but DTAC was ready to comply with the TOT's suggestions. Skytrain passengers suffered further delays Wednesday.
Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang said City Hall has warned BTSC if service disruptions continue on Saturday the BMA will hold emergency talks with the system operator.
There was brief panic on the MRT Wednesday morning at the crowded Tao Poon station when a train was removed from a platform after a technical problem and waiting passengers were transferred to the other platform.
