Ten to apply for 2.1GHZ auction
Ten companies from five groups have picked up application forms for the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission's auction of third-generation cellular bandwidth on the 2.1-gigahertz spectrum next month.
The five groups are Advanced Info Service (AIS), Total Access Communication (DTAC), True Corp, Cable Thai Holding and ACT Mobile. However, only the first three say they intend to make bids, while CTH and ACT just want to observe as small players. Three of the firms are in the AIS group: Advanced Wireless Network, Advanced Mobile Broadband and Advanced Info Service.
Two companies are in the DTAC group, DTAC Internet Network and DTAC Broadband. The True group comprises Real Future, TrueMove and Real Move.
CTH is a cable TV operator owned by Wichai Thongtaeng, a former lawyer for Thaksin Shinawatra, while ACT Mobile is a TOT subsidiary.
NBTC secretary-general Takorn Tantasit said the commission would allow all 10 companies to attend an information session on the auction tomorrow. All interested companies can get application forms until September 27.
“Those wanting to bid for the spectrum have to submit their applications on September 28, pay Bt500,000 for a licence-application form, and place a guarantee of Bt1.35 billion on that day. The auction will open on October 16,” Takorn said.
NBTC will announce the qualified bidders on October 10. Those who fail to qualify will have a chance to appeal before the auction takes place. The commission plans to announce the bid winners on October 22. It will call bids for nine spectrum slots, each containing 5 megahertz of bandwidth at a reserve price of Bt4.5 billion. Each participant can bid for a maximum of 15MHz.
