NTC hopefuls want 3G review

Pana Thongmee-akom said that while he wants to see the licences awarded as soon as possible to enable Thailand to take advantage of the next-generation technology, he believes the auction plan should be reviewed to ensure that it delivers maximum benefit to the public.

Pana, chairman of the state committee drafting cable-TV regulations, is one of six final candidates to replace three members balloted out of the National Telecommunications Commission.

Another two candidates in a second group are vying to replace Artorn Chandavimol as an NTC member. Artorn resigned in 2006 before his term ended.

Pana said two crucial issues needed to be discussed. Firstly, is now the right time for Thailand to adopt the 3G service? "If the answer is 'yes', then we go the next question: what is the are obstacles to, and possible impacts of, the licensing?" he said.

Pana said the NTC should also focus on how to regulate the converged telecom and broadcasting services in the 3G era. He believes the new and existing commissioners should be able to work together, despite having different opinions.

Another of the candidates, Nareewan Jintakanon Kengrian, an associate professor at the National Institute of Development Administration, said the country should introduce the 3G service quickly or risk losing economic and social benefits.

Some issues need to be clarified, however, Nareewan said, such as how the NTC can ensure that the public gets the maximum benefit; the appropriate number of licences; and the appropriate number of 3G players.

The NTC has proposed auctioning four 3G spectrum licences.

Nareewan added that whatever the NTC's decision, it must be able to offer a clear and reasonable explanation for it to the public.

Candidate Surin Reng-arom, a former deputy supreme commander of the armed forces, agreed the key question was what benefit holding an auction would have for the country. Acting for the good of the Kingdom should not, however, be used as an excuse to hasten the auction, he said.

He said it was likely that only a few select groups would benefit from 3G, such as businessmen and urban residents, but added that he would wait until after the NTC's public hearing on the auction guidelines, scheduled for Thursday, before giving his full opinion.

Candidate Natee Sukonrat, a former TOT executive, echoed the view that the licensing should be based on real benefits to the public. He said the 3G network should be owned by the state for national security reasons, and that private firms should be limited to competing in the area of providing services.

The other two candidates are Thamnoon Julamaneechoti, former CAT Telecom senior executive vice president, and Bandhoon Supakavanich, Budget Bureau director-general.

Thamnoon said earlier that if he were nominated to an NTC seat he would focus on improving the current 2G service, rather than the plan to grant 3G licences.

Choochart Suksa-ngaun, an adviser to the NTC chairman and one of the two candidates to replace Artorn, said the 3G spectrum belonged to the state and should be allocated wisely.

"The NTC has a total of 45MHz of bandwidth in the 3G spectrum. We should keep some for future use, instead of putting the whole bandwidth up for auction. There should be only three licences - each with a 10-MHz bandwidth - made available at the auction, corresponding to the number of private mobile-phone operators. Then, we let them compete to provide services," he said.

Choochart said many legal issues surrounding the licensing were unclear, and cautioned that any challenges on constitutional grounds to the issuing of licences after they have been awarded would create serious problems.

Last week, a meeting of economic ministers chaired by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva advised the NTC to consult the Council of State on whether the NTC has full authority to grant the 3G licences. The NTC agreed to do so.

Choochart said the NTC should clear all legal issues first by asking the Constitution Court to rule on whether it has authority to award the licences.

"Consulting the court would not delay the auction plan, and it's better to make things right," he said.

NTC secretary-general Suranan Wongvithayakamjorn, the other candidate to replace Artorn, said the licensing process must comply with all relevant laws, and that the NTC must clear up any doubts before making any decision.

The Senate is expected to nominate four candidates to NTC seats on November 23.