Prefix 093 for first 3G-2.1GHz phone numbers
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has assigned the prefix 093 for the first lot of 10 million mobile-phone numbers it has |allocated to provide third-generation broadband cellular service on its 2.1-gigahertz spectrum.
The move is part of its plan to auction the long-awaited 2.1GHz spectrum on October 16.
NBTC vice chairman Settapong Malisuwan said bidders could apply for this lot of phone numbers either on the day they submit their applications to take part in the auction or afterwards.
Bidders must submit their applications this Friday.
To date, 17 companies have picked up copies of the information memorandum on the auction’s terms and conditions. Among them are subsidiaries of three potential bidders, Advanced Info Service |(AIS), Total Access Communication (DTAC) and True Corp.
It has been speculated that AIS, DTAC and True will be the only three bidders.
In a separate matter, the NBTC’s telecom committee yesterday approved in principle the granting of 1.6 million additional mobile-phone numbers to DTAC, 1.25 million to AIS, and 1.75 million to CAT Telecom.
The monthly fee is Bt2 per number.
However, CAT must pay an overdue fee of Bt45 million for 6 million mobile-phone numbers first before the NBTC will grant these additional 1.75 million numbers to the state agency.
The fee for these 6 million numbers was due in April.
