Thai mobile operators paid $2.25B for 1800 MHz licenses
Thai mobile operators AIS and True won two licenses in the 1800 MHz band put up for bid by Thailand’s National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission.
The two-day auction raised a total of THB 80.8 billion ($2.25 billion). True will pay THB 39.79 billion for its 30-megahertz paired 1710-1725/1805-1820 MHz license, and AIS will pay THB 40.99 billion for its 30-megahertz paired 1725-1740/1820-1835 MHz license.
According to the conditions of the auction, the license holders will be required to cover 40% of the country’s population with “4G” services within the next four years and 50% within eight years. The winning operators are also required to offer cheaper rate plans compared to the current 3G rates and to offer special rates for low-income segments.
The NBTC is set to hold a formal meeting to ratify auction results and make an official announcement on the outcome of the auction within seven days.
Rival mobile operators Jasmine and Dtac failed to pick up licenses in the auction. Dtac said it plans to continue to offer 4G services in the country despite not having obtained one of the two new 4G licenses. Dtac currently offers 4G service using spectrum in the 1800 MHz band via an agreement with state-run telecom operator CAT Telecom. According to local press reports, Dtac plans to expand its 4G coverage to reach 2.5 million subscribers by the end of the year. Dtac also has spectrum in the 850 MHz and 2.1 GHz bands.
The NBTC plans to award mobile spectrum in the 900 MHz band next month. Mobile operators AIS, True, Jasmine and Dtac announced they plan to take part in the process.
