ICT, NBTC to meet on spectra

A ministry source said yesterday the ministry is considering asking the government to allow TOT to keep 10MHz of its total of 20MHz bandwidth from the 900MHz spectrum and allocate the remaining 10MHz to the NBTC for inclusion in the NBTC’s auction. 

However, the ministry has to consult with the watchdog first whether that is possible, and if it is not, whether there is any other spectrum to be given to TOT.

The ministry views that TOT should be able to keep such spectrum after its concession expires to enable it to provide its service. 

The ministry will also ask TOT to submit its plan for using the spectrum. The NBTC will in November call the bid for two licences of 900MHz and two licences of 1800MHz. If TOT can keep 10MHz in 900MHz, the NBTC will have only 10MHz in 900MHz left to put on the block. Originally it planned to auction two 900MHz licences, each with 10MHz of bandwidth. 

If the NBTC can auction only one much needed 900MHz licence, the competition among bidders would be fierce, as this low band spectrum is good for network expansion in the provinces.

A TOT source said the state enterprise’s employees would go to the NBTC’s public hearing on the 900MHz auction rules on Tuesday to defend TOT’s right to the spectrum.

The ministry and the NBTC were going to submit their own version of the plan to reclaim spectra from state enterprises but the government told them to fine-tune and combine the plans for forwarding to the government.