Thailand’s 3G licensing plan will become enshrined in law next week, paving way for a spectrum auction in September.

 

The National Telecommunications Commission’s 3G plan is expected to be published in the Royal Gazette late next week, according to Credit Suisse.

 

Following this, the 3G blueprint becomes law.

 

“There’s a few people pinching themselves,” said an analyst since Thailand is one of Asia’s last countries to issue 3G frequencies.

 

Operators AIS and DTAC offer 3G services on 2G bands, but until now the government has not made spectrum available for 3G.

 

The plan sent to the Royal Gazette is believed to be identical to the one the NTC proposed in July. 

 

That means the NTC is gearing up to auction a maximum of three 15-year licenses of 2x15MHz slices of spectrum in the 2100MHz band. It has set a reserve price for each of 12.8 billion baht ($394.5m).

 

 

AIS, DTAC and True Move are all seeking 3G licenses. But if there are three pre-qualified bidders, only two licenses will be auctioned in the first round.

 

However, under this scenario, the third license will be auctioned within 90 days of the first auction. The starting bid will be equal to the second highest bid from the first auction.

 

According to the Nation, the NTC is planning an international roadshow to woo global telcos to bid for a 3G license alongside a local partner.