Three major players seek 3G bid info
Only three of the major mobile operators submitted serious requests for information on the upcoming auction of third-generation cellular bandwidth on the 2.1-gigahertz spectrum during an information session for potential bidders held by the National Broad
Advanced Info Service (AIS), Total Access Communication (DTAC) and True are among 15 companies from nine groups to announce that they intend to join the auction, which will be held on October 16.
Most of the information requested concerned the length of the silent period imposed on potential bidders, blocking the release of public information during the auction period to avoid collusion.
Of the leading mobile-phone operators, three firms are expected to submit auction applications: AIS will apply via its subsidiary Advanced Wireless Network, DTAC via DTAC Internet Network and True Corp via Real Future.
To prevent collusion and to prepare for the auction, the NBTC will call on all telecom operators and potential 3G bidders to join the "countdown to 3G auction day" starting September 20, according to Takorn Tantasit, the NBTC’s secretary-general.
Coincidentally, September 20 is the same date on which the ill-fated first 3G auction was scheduled two years ago. It was aborted by the Central Administrative Court.
As of yesterdaySeptember 14, 15 companies from nine groups had picked up 3G application forms. These include three each from AIS and True Corp and two each from units of DTAC and Jasmine Telecom.
The rest are BB Connect of Benchachinda group, the former owner of DTAC; Jaya Soft Vision, a subsidiary of telecom solution firm JRW Utility; Cable Thai Holding, a cable TV operator owned by Wichai Thongtang, a former lawyer of Thaksin Shinawatra; ACT Mobile, a subsidiary of TOT; and Victory Motor of Yuthana Photasuthon, which joined the bidding two years ago despite having no telecom background.
All interested companies can pick up application forms from the NBTC until September 27 and submit the applications on September 28.
The 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.
