Thailand’s long-awaited 3G auction took place today, with three mobile operators bidding a total of around THB45bn (US$1.4bn) for 45MHz of bandwidth.
Nine slots of spectrum were auctioned off, with a starting price of THB4.5bn per slot. The total bid…
Thailand’s long-awaited 3G auction took place today, with three mobile operators bidding a total of around THB45bn (US$1.4bn) for 45MHz of bandwidth.
Nine slots of spectrum were auctioned off, with a starting price of THB4.5bn per slot. The total bid was slightly lower than analyst predictions, according to media reports citing data from the regulator.
Market leader AIS bid between THB14.6bn and 16bn (US$466.8 to US$522m) on three new licences of 15MHz bandwidth, according to various reports slightly differing in numbers. Total Access Communication (TAC) bid between THB13.5bn and THB15.5bn (US$431.7m to US$505.5m) and True Corp between THB13.5bn and THB14.8bn (US$431.7m to US$482.7m), the reports stated.
The companies are in a quiet period and cannot comment publicly on the auction.
Prior to the 3G auction, only state-owned TOT held spectrum in the 2.1GHz band. The other mobile operators – AIS, DTAC and True – can also offer 3G services but in lower frequencies and under concession agreements with TOT and CAT, the other state-controlled carrier.
“Today is a historic day,” said Takorn Tantasit, secretary-general of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, according to reports.
Thailand plans to hold a 4G auction next year, in line with other Asian countries which have already progressed to more advanced technology.
