True Corporation Public Company Limited (SET: TRUE) participated in a public hearing on a draft announcement from the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) regarding the criteria and procedures for granting frequency spectrum licenses for mobile telecommunications in the 850 MHz, 1500 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, and 26 GHz bands.
The company supports the NBTC’s initiative to allocate spectrum to maximize country benefits through efficient and continuous usage while enhancing the country’s capabilities. This represents a significant step in strengthening digital telecommunications infrastructure, which is essential for Thailand’s sustainable competitiveness on an international scale in the 5G era as well as in artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT).
Mr. Chakkrit Urairat, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer of True Corporation Plc., said, “Thailand currently ranks among the top countries in the Asia Pacific region for digital infrastructure development, particularly in mobile networks. The upcoming auction is crucial for maintaining the country’s momentum in digital infrastructure development.
However, regarding the draft auction criteria presented by NBTC for public hearing, we believe several aspects need improvement to ensure efficient spectrum allocation. For instance, we propose simultaneous ascending clock auctions across all spectrum bands to promote competition and transparency, allowing participants to bid on all bands concurrently while reducing uncertainties in the auction process.
Additionally, although the reserve prices specified in the draft announcement are lower than previous minimum prices, they remain significantly higher than the average prices for similar bands internationally. This increases the risk that NBTC may not allocate as much spectrum as needed, causing Thailand to miss opportunities to utilize this national telecommunications resources. Moreover, the payment terms do not align with the country’s economic conditions and may hinder telecommunications network investment capabilities, given the requirement of a 50% payment in the first installment (before license issuance). We propose a 10-installment payment plan, similar to previous auctions.”
True Corporation recognizes spectrum as a critical resource and the backbone of digital infrastructure development, which will enhance the country’s international competitiveness. The company has also provided suggestions on the auction criteria to ensure efficient and transparent spectrum allocation that maximizes sustainable benefits for national development.
