Bangkok, Thailand – True Corporation Plc., a leading telecommunications conglomerate in Thailand, has publicly advocated for the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) to adhere to its established timeline for the upcoming spectrum auction, emphasizing the critical role of timely spectrum allocation in maintaining the nation’s competitive edge in the rapidly evolving digital landscape of the Asia-Pacific region.
In a significant statement underscoring the urgency of digital infrastructure development, True Corporation voiced its position during the second public hearing concerning the draft regulations for licensing International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) spectrum. The company strongly supported the NBTC’s original plan to auction crucial frequency bands as outlined in the previously approved IMT Spectrum Roadmap, arguing that any delay could jeopardize Thailand’s digital leadership and hinder economic progress reliant on advanced connectivity.
The call for adherence to the pre-defined schedule comes at a pivotal moment as Thailand seeks to solidify its position as a digital hub. True Corporation highlighted the nation’s existing strengths while warning against complacency.
Mr. Chakkrit Urairat, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer of True Corporation Plc., articulated the company’s stance with a clear emphasis on strategic foresight. “Thailand currently ranks among the leading countries in the Asia-Pacific region in terms of digital infrastructure development, particularly in mobile networks. This is a significant advantage we have built,” Mr. Urairat stated. He continued, stressing the importance of proactive measures:
“We must maintain this advantage by staying forward-looking and accelerating new opportunities that digital technologies unlock. This upcoming auction is therefore absolutely crucial for continued progress and national development.”
Mr. Chakkrit further framed the auction as a defining moment for the country’s digital future. “Whether Thailand advances as a digital leader or falls behind in the global digital race, this spectrum auction plays a vital role in driving the country’s digital infrastructure forward. Its timely execution is paramount. Therefore, the NBTC should move ahead with the spectrum auction as originally planned, ensuring predictability and enabling the industry to invest and innovate confidently.”
True Corporation’s support specifically extends to the NBTC executing the auction based on the comprehensive 5-year IMT Spectrum Roadmap covering the period 2024–2028. This roadmap, which the NBTC itself approved and publicly disseminated in 2024, meticulously details the allocation plans. It includes spectrum licenses that are set to expire within the current year (2025) and over the subsequent two years, alongside spectrum bands that are currently vacant and available for allocation.
The rationale behind True’s push for adhering to the roadmap is rooted in ensuring the most efficient utilization of this finite national resource. The company firmly believes that the NBTC must expedite the auction process as detailed within the IMT Spectrum Roadmap to preemptively mitigate the potentially detrimental impacts arising from delayed spectrum allocation. Such delays, True argues, could create bottlenecks, stifle innovation in next-generation services, and ultimately erode Thailand’s competitiveness on the international stage.
Beyond the critical aspect of timing, True Corporation also endorsed a specific methodology for conducting the auction: a simultaneous multi-band auction (SMBA). This approach, which involves auctioning licenses across multiple frequency bands concurrently, is increasingly recognized globally as a highly efficient mechanism. True contends that this method provides operators with greater certainty and flexibility to acquire a balanced portfolio of spectrum assets necessary for deploying robust and versatile networks, aligning with international best practices in spectrum management seen in leading digital economies.
Addressing the often-contentious issue of setting reserve prices for the spectrum licenses, True Corporation advocated for a methodology grounded in established international principles and benchmarks. The company expressed its preference for pricing mechanisms that reflect the objective economic value of the spectrum, potentially derived from comparative analyses of auctions in similar markets or through rigorous economic modeling. Conversely, True cautioned against relying solely on historical pricing derived from past private agreements between operators.
Such figures, the company suggested, may have been influenced by various contextual business factors beyond the intrinsic value of the spectrum itself and might not serve as an accurate or fair baseline for the current auction. Establishing a fair, transparent, and internationally aligned reserve price is seen as crucial for fostering a healthy competitive environment.
Furthermore, True Corporation proactively shared its perspective on the specific 3500 MHz frequency band, a mid-band spectrum globally recognized for its significant potential in deploying high-capacity 5G services. While acknowledging the inherent importance and long-term value of this band, True stated that, based on its current network strategy and market assessment, the company does not have an immediate, pressing requirement for spectrum in this particular range.
However, looking ahead, True Corporation strongly advised that if the NBTC considers including the 3500 MHz band in the upcoming auction, it is imperative that the regulator undertakes a thorough and comprehensive assessment of the potential impacts beforehand. Specifically, True highlighted the need to carefully evaluate potential interference issues and consequences for incumbent users, namely existing digital terrestrial television (DTT) operators and, critically, the large base of consumers utilizing C-band satellite television services. Given the proximity of frequencies, careful planning, technical studies, and potentially mitigation measures would be essential prerequisites before proceeding with auctioning this band to avoid disrupting essential broadcasting services.
In conclusion, True Corporation reiterated the fundamental importance of spectrum as a cornerstone national asset. “Spectrum is a critical national resource and the very backbone of digital infrastructure development,” the company emphasized. The efficient, timely, and transparent allocation of this resource is not merely a technical or regulatory exercise; it is a strategic imperative that directly influences Thailand’s ability to compete globally. It underpins the nation’s capacity to embrace and leverage transformative technologies that are shaping the future economy, including the widespread adoption of 5G networks, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) across industries, and the burgeoning expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT).
True Corporation concluded its statement by expressing its confidence in the NBTC’s capability and commitment to managing this crucial auction process. The company trusts that the regulator will conduct the proceedings with the highest standards of transparency and efficiency, ultimately ensuring that the outcomes serve the best long-term interests of the nation, its citizens, and the continued advancement of Thailand’s digital economy.
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