Thailand’s telecoms regulator, the National Broadcasting and Telecoms Commission (NBTC), has delayed spectrum auctions scheduled to take place within the next few months.
The regulator did not provide reasons for the suspension or when the auction…
Thailand’s telecoms regulator, the National Broadcasting and Telecoms Commission (NBTC), has delayed spectrum auctions scheduled to take place within the next few months.
The regulator did not provide reasons for the suspension or when the auction would take place instead.
According to a Reuters report citing the watchdog, the military council now ruling Thailand requested that the tender be put on ice in order to finalise the details of the process and to ensure transparency.
The regulator could not be reached for comment before the press deadline.
NBTC had planned to award spectrum in the 1,800 MHz band in August and frequencies in the 900 MHz band at the end of the year.
Thailand has been under martial law since May, following a military coup.
Leading operator AIS, in which SingTel has a minority stake, is reportedly the only mobile player that has yet to launch 4G services.
Despite the unstable political situation in the country, the Thai telecoms sector continues to see deals. Last week, number three True Corp said it would sell an 18% stake in itself to China Mobile for US$880m.
Nomura analyst Sachin Gupta believes the delay in the auctions should not affect operators including AIS and Telenor’s Dtac significantly in the near term, but it would increase uncertainty.
“Both AIS and Dtac have been weak in recent weeks following the news around True’s recapitalisation and China Mobile buying an 18% in it. This news will raise more questions/uncertainty again.”
He added: “AIS still has 2.1 GHz and 900 MHz and can continue to migrate subs to 3G. But it still needs 1,800 MHz for future (data) growth and incremental capex savings.”
