The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) of Thailand has published the NBTC Announcement related to draft technical standards for radar radiocommunication equipment. This NBTC Announcement concerns radar-based radiocommunication equipment will ensure that the country is ready to support the increased of radar system applications and align with international standards for radar radiocommunication equipment currently licensed for general use.
Therefore, the NBTC has developed five drafts related to technical standards for radar radiocommunication equipment in Thailand. The feedback can be submitted during its public hearing of these draft radar system standards from 4 May 2026 until 3 July 2026. In this article we will discuss all important notes from this NBTC Announcement for these draft technical standards of radar radiocommunication equipment.
Key Notes of Draft Radar System Equipment
Radar radiocommunication equipment has a wide range of applications, from radar systems used in aviation or national security, to radar systems used in industry, land transportations, or electronics, which are licensed for general use. With the continued advancement of technology, the NBTC has received input from various sectors suggesting a review of technical standards for radar radiocommunication equipment licensed for general use.
The NBTC has studied and gathered relevant information from stakeholders regarding the use of radio frequencies for vehicle-mounted radar systems and general-purpose radar systems. Five drafts on this NBTC Announcement have been prepared, of which drafts of NBTC Announcement 1-3 relate to radar radiocommunication equipment and the drafts of NBTC Announcement 4-5 relate to radiocommunication equipment for general use, as follows:
- (Draft) NBTC Announcement on Criteria for the Use of Radar Radiocommunications Frequencies and Equipment Permitted for General Use.
- (Draft) NBTC Announcement on Technical Standards for Telecommunications Equipment and Devices for Radar Radiocommunications Equipment without Application Restrictions (Non-Specific Radar Applications).
- (Draft) NBTC Announcement on Technical Standards for Telecommunications Equipment and Devices for Radar Radiocommunications Equipment for Land Traffic and Transportation.
- (Draft) NBTC Announcement on Criteria for the Use of Radar Radiocommunications Frequencies and Equipment Permitted for General Use (Version 2).
- (Draft) NBTC Announcement on Technical Standards for Telecommunications Equipment and Devices for Radiocommunications Equipment Permitted for General Use, Frequency 57-64 GHz.
You can also check the summary of key points of the (Draft) NBTC Announcement for draft 1-3 on the table below for better understanding.
| (Draft) NBTC Announcement | Key Points |
| (Draft) NBTC Announcement on Criteria for the Use of Radar Radiocommunications Frequencies and Equipment Permitted for General Use. | Frequency and Maximum e.i.r.p. transmit power: 1). 5.725 – 5.875 GHz (< 10 milliwatts); 2). 10 – 10.6 GHz (< 10 milliwatts); 3). 24.05 – 24.25 (< 100 milliwatts); 4). 76 – 81 (<10 milliwatts). Radar radio communication equipment of unlimited types and applications using frequencies of 5.725 – 5.875 GHz, 10 – 10.6 GHz, 24.05 – 24.25 GHz, and 76 – 81 GHz, with maximum e.i.r.p. transmit power not exceeding 10 milliwatts, is exempt from the requirement to obtain a license, and must demonstrate compliance with the technical requirements based on the Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity (SDoC). |
| (Draft) NBTC Announcement on Technical Standards for Telecommunications Equipment and Devices for Radar Radiocommunications Equipment without Application Restrictions (Non-Specific Radar Applications). | NBTC TS 10XX-256X: Technical Standards for Radio Communication Equipment with Radar Systems, Non-specific Application Types. This technical standard specifies the minimum technical characteristics of telecommunications equipment and devices for radar radiocommunication systems of all application types, operating at frequencies of 24.05 – 24.25 GHz, including applications for land traffic and transport infrastructure, whether fixed, mobile, handheld, or portable. Radiocommunication radar systems, regardless of application type, must have an equivalent isotropically radiated power (e.i.r.p.) of no more than 100 milliwatts (20 dBm). |
| (Draft) NBTC Announcement on Technical Standards for Telecommunications Equipment and Devices for Radar Radiocommunications Equipment for Land Traffic and Transportation. | NBTC TS 1011-256X: Technical Standards for Radio Communication Radar Systems for Land Traffic and Transport. This technical standard specifies the minimum technical characteristics for radar radio communication equipment for land traffic and transport, using either fixed or steerable antennas, in the following frequencies: 1). 24.05 – 24.25 GHz (Used for installation in motor vehicles or rail vehicles to support driving and navigation on land specifically); 2). 76 – 77 GHz (Used for installation in motor vehicles or rail vehicles to support driving and navigation on land, or for land traffic and transport infrastructure specifically); 3). 77 – 81 GHz (Used for installation in motor vehicles or rail vehicles to support driving and navigation on land specifically). Radio radar systems for land traffic and transport, operating in the following frequency range, must have a maximum peak power (e.i.r.p.) not exceeding: 1). 24.05 – 24.25 GHz (< 100 milliwatts or 20 dBm); 2). 76 – 77 GHz (< 55 dBm); 3). 77 – 81 GHz (< 55 dBm). |
Impact on Thailand Type Approval
Implementation of the draft technical standards of these NBTC Announcements can facilitate stakeholders in Thailand in utilizing radar system frequencies that are more aligned with the majority of international standards. In addition, the drafts on these NBTC Announcements may change some technical requirements for the use of radar systems for both general applications and transport land use.
During the public hearing, stakeholders can submit their inputs and comments on these draft technical standards of five NBTC Announcements from 4 May 2026 until 3 July 2026. Written inputs and comments may be submitted from 4 May 2026 onward via: in person to the NBTC office or send an e-mail to spectrum@nbtc.go.th with the subject “Comments on the Draft Radar Announcement”. You may download the copy of the NBTC Announcements for draft radar system equipment standards on the file below.
Conclusion
The implementation of the draft technical standards on these NBTC Announcements for radar system equipment may affect on the process of Type Approval Certification in Thailand. Therefore, doing early mitigation for adjustment and preparation to upcoming new technical standards for radar radiocommunication equipment may be required. Feel free to send an email to info@narmadi.com if you have any questions and assistance about these drafts of NBTC Announcements.
