Licence bidders set for fight in earnest
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) expects genuine competition in the auctions of telecom licences on the 900- and 1,800-megahertz spectra, said NBTC member Pravit Leestapornvongsa.
He said the NBTC might postpone the auction of two licences on 900MHz from November 12 to the original date of December 15, if it is found that the winning bids for the two 1,800MHz licences on November 11 are less than 100 per cent of the full spectrum value.
The minimum bid for a 1,800MHz licence is Bt15.912 billion, equivalent to 80 per cent of the full spectrum value of Bt19.89 billion.
"However, we believe that the bidders will fight for both the 900MHz and 1,800MHz licences, since the 900MHz spectrum is suitable for [cellular] network expansion, while the 1,800MHz spectrum is good for densely populated areas," Pravit said.
Four companies have submitted bid documents for both auctions. They are Advanced Wireless Network (AWN) of Advanced Info Service, DTAC TriNet of Total Access Communication, True Move H Universal Communication of True Corp and Jas Mobile Broadband of Jasmine International.
They submitted bid documents for the 900MHz auction yesterday, each providing a Bt644-million bank guarantee and a Bt535,000 application fee.
All four companies have pre-qualified to bid for the 1,800MHz licences.
The NBTC yesterday announced it would go ahead with the 900MHz auction, regardless of TOT threatening to take legal action against the sale. The TOT board will meet on October 30 to make a final decision on the issue.
Jas Mobile was the first to submit bid documents, at 8.46am, followed by DTAC TriNet at 9am, AWN at 10.35am and True Move H Universal at 11.09am.
NBTC secretary-general Takorn Tantasith said the commission was expected to announce the names of the pre-qualified bidders for the 900MHz licences on November 3. The minimum bid for each licence is Bt12.864 billion.
Takorn said the NBTC had invited six foreign embassies – the United States, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Norway and China – to send representatives to observe the auctions of both spectra.
He said the NBTC would send out letters ordering the holders of third-generation cellular licences on the 2.1-gigahertz spectrum to pay a total of Bt11.134 billion for the third instalment of their upfront fees on December 22. This will be the final instalment paid by the three holders of these 3G licences.
AWN has to pay Bt3.91219 billion, and DTAC TriNet and True Move H Universal Communication must pay Bt3.611.25 billion each.
The NBTC held the 3G-2.1GHz auction in October 2012 and garnered total upfront fees of Bt41.625 billion, all of which would be transferred to the state.
