BANGKOK, Oct 11 – The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) will proceed with an auction of third-generation (3G) wireless licences on Tuesday as scheduled, according to a commissioner.
NBTC secretary general Thakorn Tantasit said the NBTC board is aware of a petition to seek the Administrative Court’s injunction to suspend its upcoming bidding event.
He said the petition was predictable and it would be a good opportunity for the NBTC to clarify details of the auction to the public.
Three private mobile operators qualified to bid for the 2100 megahertz bandwidth to use with the 3G technology are Advanced Info Service (AIS), Dtac and True Move.
Nine licences, each offered at the minimum of Bt4.5 billion, will be available for the auction.
“Some people have expressed concern about the auction. We are ready to explain every point. Some accused the NBTC of failing to protect the national interest. NBTC commissioners stand firm that we have fully performeda our duty. There will be another committee to evaluate the NBTC’s performance in November,” he said.
Mr Thakorn said the NBTC, in its meeting on Wednesday, approved a draft announcement on regulations and approval to digitised territorial television network. The public referendum will be conducted for the draft announcement.
The NBTC also approved four additional draft announcements relating to the digital system for territorial television broadcast.
