Bangkok: The NBTC office has opened applications for licenses to use frequencies for international mobile telecommunications businesses in the 850 MHz, 1500 MHz, 2100 MHz, and 2300 MHz bands, with two applicants: True Group and AIS Group. The NBTC will hold the auction on Sunday, June 29.
According to Thai News Agency, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) stated that the frequency bands to be auctioned this time are divided into three groups. The first group, the Low Band, includes the 850 MHz frequency band. The second group, the Mid Band, includes the 2100 MHz and 2300 MHz frequency bands, which are currently used for mobile phone services. The third group is the Mid Band, 1500 MHz frequency bands, which are currently not used for mobile phone services. The 850 MHz low band frequency band has a minimum price per set of 7,738.23 million baht for two sets.
The mid-band frequency band currently in use for mobile phone services in the 2100 MHz range has a minimum price per set of 4,500 million baht for three sets. The 2300 MHz range has a minimum price per set of 2,596.15 million baht for seven sets. The mid-band frequency band currently not in use for mobile phone services in the 1500 MHz range has a minimum price per set of 1,057.49 million baht for eleven sets.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sompop Phuriwikraipong from the NBTC revealed that this auction is for frequency waves that service providers or mobile operators have already provided services to the public and will expire on August 3, 2025. When the frequency waves expire, service providers must return them to the NBTC office for reallocation. Therefore, the NBTC office must quickly proceed with the auction of the said frequency waves in advance before they expire. Additionally, the auction will also cover three vulnerable groups who will receive special low mobile phone service rates and a 30 percent discount from the package prices sold in the market.
For today’s license application, there are two applicants: True Move H from True Group, led by Mr. Jakkrit Urairat, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer of True Corporation Plc., who took the auspicious time of 11.09 a.m. to submit documents to the NBTC, and AWN from AIS Group, led by Mr. Waruntep Wachiraporn, Head of Business Relations at AIS, submitted the auction documents at 2.14 p.m. After submitting the application for the frequency license, the NBTC office will consider the qualifications and will provide details of the demonstration auction on Monday, June 23, 2025, and will hold the auction on Sunday, June 29, 2025, at the NBTC office.