Thailand plans 3G auction for end-September

The Thai telecommunications regulator plans hold a 3G licence auction in the last week of September. The board of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has approved the time frame. The NTC plans to auction off three 3G licences in the 2.1 GHz spectrum, each with a 15-year term. The licences are in 15 MHz blocks and the starting price has been set at THB 12.8 billion. However, the government has earlier said that the 2G concessions should be converted to licences ahead of the 3G auction. The joint committee that is developing the plan to terminate the concessions will meet with the NTC shortly to discuss its plans and meet with private concession holders as well. Furthermore, the house of representatives and the Thai senate will establish a joint committee to vet the amended bill on the formation of a new regulator, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC). The bill is expected to become law at the end of this and the selection process of NBTC commissioners is expected to be completed in the middle of next year. The NBTC will replace the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) in overseeing the telecommunications and broadcasting sectors.