AIS and True were officially endorsed as the winners of the frequency auction, following a contentious discussion, by the NBTC.
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has endorsed Advanced Wireless Network Co., Ltd. (AWN) and True Move H Universal Communication Co., Ltd. (TUC) as the winners of Thailand's recent 2025 frequency auction. The auction, held on June 29, generated a total of ฿41,273,960,346 (excluding VAT).
The auction covered four frequency bands: 850 MHz (no bids), 1500 MHz, 2100 MHz, and 2300 MHz. TUC emerged victorious in Group 3, securing four frequency sets (1452-1472 MHz) in the 1500 MHz band, and in Group 2, winning seven frequency sets (2300-2370 MHz) in the 2300 MHz band. AWN clinched three frequency sets (1965-1980 MHz paired with 2155-2170 MHz) in the 2100 MHz band.
The NBTC's endorsement came after three hours of intense discussion among the seven commissioners. The meeting focused largely on whether special conditions should be attached to the licences, specifically on the inclusion of clauses that would allow the NBTC to impose penalties or fines if licensees fail to expand their networks by set deadlines. However, the NBTC chairman argued that the commission already holds the authority to impose such penalties later without needing to include them explicitly in the licence contracts.
The auction winners must pay the first instalment by August 4, 2025, to the NBTC. The licences themselves were not issued with explicit penalty clauses. The approach emphasizes regulatory oversight and post-licence enforcement rather than upfront contractual penalties.
The auction results were divided into three frequency groups. The final prices for each group are as follows: Group 3 - ฿4,653,960,168 (excluding VAT); Group 2 - ฿14,850,000,010 (excluding VAT); and the 2300 MHz band within Group 2 - ฿21,770,000,168 (excluding VAT).
The NBTC voted 5-1-1 to approve the results, with Assoc Prof Dr Suphat Suphachalasai abstaining and Prof Pirongrong Ramasoota voting against the endorsement. The NBTC's decision underscores its commitment to fostering competition and investment in the telecommunications sector, while ensuring compliance with network rollout and other obligations.
The approval by the NBTC sparks discussions in the politics of Thailand's telecommunications industry, as the commission's decision to forego explicit penalty clauses in the licences could have significant implications for future business and finance strategies within the sector. The successful auction participants, TUC and AWN, are now expected to travel globally to meet with vendors and partners in their quest to implement their newly acquired networks, potentially invigorating the global travel industry as well.
