Five companies picked up bidding documents yesterday for the 1800-megahertz spectrum auctions from the telecom regulator on the first day they became available.
The five were Advanced Wireless Network, the third-generation (3G) mobile arm of Advanced Info Service; Total Access Communication subsidiaries DTAC TriNet and DTAC Broadband; True Move H, a subsidiary of True Move; and Jas Mobile Broadband, a subsidiary of Jasmine International.
The surprise was Jas Mobile Broadband, which vowed to bid for 4G mobile service licences on the 1800- and 900-MHz spectra.
Its move is expected to fuel expectations that the 4G auctions will foster greater competition.
Vasu Prasarnnate, director of Triple T Broadband, another Jasmine subsidiary, said the group had a real intention to secure licences even though it was a newcomer in the mobile business.
The group has set aside a budget to compete in the auctions.
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) is set to auction two licences on the 1800-MHz spectrum on Nov 11.
Each licence will last 18 years and contain 15 MHz of bandwidth. The licences have a reserve price of 15.9 billion baht each or 80% of the full spectrum price.
NBTC secretary-general Takorn Tantasith said potential bidders could pick up documents until Sept 28, and a bidding conference would be held from Sept 11-12.