NBTC to auction more bandwidth as lone bidder DTAC TriNet takes 900MHz licence

NBTC secretary-general Takorn Tantasith made the revelation after the auction yesterday of the 900MHz licence, which was grabbed by DTAC Trinet, the only bidder, offering Bt38.064 billion.
DTAC TriNet is a subsidiary of Total Access Communication (DTAC).
The telecom regulator had auctioned nine lots of the 1800MHz in August this year when DTAC TriNet and Advanced Wireless Network (AWN) each grabbed only one lot. The NBTC currently has seven unsold lots of the 1800MHz band.
The NBTC is expected to submit for the board’s consideration next month the revised draft rules to reclaim the spectra from state agencies for reallocation. The NBTC will compensate them after reclaiming their spectra. 
MCOT currently holds the 2.6GHz spectrum.
In the absence of any competition, the 900MHz licence auction yesterday was concluded in just about an hour, after beginning at 9.45am at the NBTC headquarters on Phaholyothin Road. DTAC TriNet raised the price only once. Under the auction rules, a bidder is required to raise the bid price at least once and at Bt76 million per time.
The 15-year licence (890-895MHz/ 935-940 MHz), features 2x5MHz bandwidth with the opening bid of Bt37.988 billion.
Winning the 900MHz licence means DTAC will have a combined 110MHz of both low-band and high-band spectrum, equal to True Corp’s holdings but less than Advanced Info Service’s 120MHz spectrum bandwidth.
Currently, DTAC TriNet has the licence to operate the 2.1GHz band totalling 2x15MHz bandwidth, and is due to receive a licence to operate the 1800MHz band totalling 2x5MHz bandwidth. It has also partnered with TOT to provide a wireless broadband service on the state agency’s 2.3GHz totalling 60MHz bandwidth.
DTAC chief executive officer Alexandra Reich said after the auction yesterday: “Today is a significant milestone for DTAC, as we acquired a licence for the 900MHz spectrum to be used by our customers. This low-band spectrum is essential to DTAC’s network and our Internet services, not only for DTAC customers in cities, but also for those in rural areas across the country.”
The acquisition of the 900MHz licence will enhance the company’s nationwide service coverage, she added.
DTAC will quickly update all its systems currently operating on its existing 850MHz to 900MHz to support the rapid growth of mobile Internet demand across the country.
According to the 900MHz licensing rules, after the win, DTAC will now be able to continue using its existing 850MHz spectrum for a period not exceeding two years during the transition to the 900MHz band.
The NBTC had declined to allow DTAC to continue using the 850MHz after its concession expiry date of September 15 this year.
This prompted DTAC to seek temporary protection for the remaining 850MHz customers on its concession in the Central Administrative Court, which in the middle of last month allowed DTAC to continue using the 850MHz band until December 15.
Reich added that DTAC’s bid for a 900MHz licence ensures service continuity for its 850MHz customers after the protection period granted by the court ends on December 15.