Thai regulator seeks to cede power to junta

Don Sambandaraksa
16 Jul 2014
00:00

Thailand’s telecom regulator will propose two amendments to its own governing frequency allocation act that involves ceding power to the executive branch and allowing spectrum holders to sub-let spectrum, both in the name of greater efficiency.

National Telecommunications and Broadcasting Commission board member for legal affairs Suthipol Thaweechaikarn said the amendments would make the regulator’s work more efficient.

The proposal has not yet been discussed at the NBTC board but if approved, would be forwarded to the ruling military junta, the national council for peace and order, for consideration.

The amendment would allow the NBTC to ask the NCPO to use other methods for frequency allocation such as a beauty contest rather than the current law that requires a competitive auction. When a civilian government is in place, the task would fall to the cabinet of ministers.

The other amendment would remove a clause requiring licence holders to use their own spectrum without allowing the sub-letting of spectrum.

The current NBTC act enshrines independence from the executive branch, making the commission accountable only to the upper house of parliament.

Four of the five telecom commissioners are under investigation by the national anti corruption commission for their role in the 2012 3G auction, which was held without a competitive element. Such an amendment could nullify the investigation. A preliminary report is due in about six weeks.

The other amendment would allow state telcos CAT and TOT to sub-let their prodigious swathes of spectrum. CAT has asked the junta for 25 MHz of spectrum on 1800-MHz, and TOT has asked for the 900-MHz and 2.3-GHz bands as part of their survival plan.

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