More operators pick up 3G bidding applications

Natee Sukonrat, a member of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), said yesterday that the four telecoms were the latest to show interest in the auction.

All bidders would have to submit their applications to the NTC on August 30.

Those already collecting bidding documents during the past two weeks were Advanced Info Service and its subsidiary AWN, Total Access Communication and its subsidiary DTAC Internet Service, and True Corp's subsidiary SK Wireless.

Watchai Vilailuck, president of Samart Corp, the parent of Samart i-Mobile (SIM), a mobile-phone distributor, said Samart had yet to finish studying the 3G business plan but it wanted to have the application first.

Natee said the auction would begin on September 20 and the NTC was expected to hold the close-door bidding at a hotel in Hua Hin. Its US licensing consulting company, Nera, will handle the auction.

The NTC set aside Bt50 million to organise the auction, which will be broadcast via a satellite TV channel of MCOT with a three-hour delay.

The starting bid price is Bt12.8 billion. The NTC will put all three available licences under the hammer if there are at least four bidders.

SIM is expected to tender for a licence together with Malaysia's major telecom Axiata, which owns 18.96 per cent of Samart Corp.

SIM has been retailing the 3G service of TOT, which debuted its 3G network in Greater Bangkok last December.

The NTC will hold a 3G technology exhibition called "3.9 G Thailand Human DNA" from September 8-12 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre. The cost of Bt70 million to stage the event will be split by the NTC, which will contribute Bt20 million, and the telecom operators.

SIM's share price yesterday closed at Bt1.96, down 0.51 per cent, while that of Jasmine closed at Bt1.29, up 10.26 per cent. Loxley's share price closed up 2.27 per cent at Bt2.70.