True Corp OK with 60MHz bandwidth cap, CEO says
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TRUE Corporation supports the planned cap of spectrum ownership whereby private companies and state agencies can hold no more than 60 megahertz, to prevent hoarding of bandwidth, chief executive officer Suphachai Chearavanont said yesterday. He added tha
The NBTC’s telecom committee on Monday approved the auction draft plan for the 1,800MHz spectrum, which includes its plan to cap ownership at 60MHz. The cap would also cover the 800MHz, 900MHz and 2.1-gigahertz spectra.
Currently Total Access Communication (DTAC) holds the most bandwidth at 75MHz, of which 15MHz is on 2.1GHz, 50MHz on 1,800MHz and 10MHz on 800MHz. Its concession is due to expire in 2018.
Advanced Info Service holds 32.5MHz, of which 15MHz is on 2.1GHz and 17.5MHz is on 900MHz. Its 900MHz concession will expire this September. True Corp holds 15MHz bandwidth on 2.1GHz.
The NBTC might auction 30MHz of the 1,800MHz spectrum in November, instead of the 25MHz originally planned, after CAT Telecom offered to return 5MHz on that spectrum held by DTAC to the NBTC for the auction. However, the increase to 30MHz depends on whether CAT can completely transfer the bandwidth to the NBTC before the commission finalises the auction plan, which will be soon.
Earlier Suphachai said the NBTC should split the 1,800MHz spectrum into three 10MHz bands if it decides to auction a total of 30MHz.
Putting three licences up for grabs would help maintain competition among major telecom operators after the auction.
Suphachai said True was financially ready to bid for a new spectrum licence, regardless of the number up for grab. The company has no need to raise funds to cover its bid.
But he added that the competition among the bidders would be fierce if there were only two licences in the auction. He said the NBTC had to think carefully about what kind of market competition it wants to see after the auction.
Suphachai said that each telecom operator should have at least 20MHz for the smooth provision of fourth-generation wireless broadband.
Currently True has around 1.2 million 4G subscribers, up from 800,000 last year.
Suphachai added that the company’s telecom business had continued to grow. The slowing economy might affect the business but only slightly.
