The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Minister has reiterated that his ministry does not have the legal authority to intervene in the planned fourth-generation (4G) spectrum auctions, saying the government and the national telecom regulator are the actual decision-makers.
The draft bills related to the digital economy endorsed by the cabinet on Tuesday stipulate that radio frequencies used for commercial purposes must be allocated by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC).
Spectrum used for the public interest and national security will be granted by the soon-to-be-established Digital Economy Policy Committee.
ICT Minister Pornchai Rujiprapa's remarks came after the publication of media reports and messages shared yesterday on social media that the ministry planned to put the brakes on the 4G spectrum auctions.
The NBTC recently announced it would put up a total of 42.5 MHz of spectrum for 4G, comprising 25 MHz of the 1800-MHz spectrum and 17.5 MHz of the 900-MHz spectrum, for auction in August and November, respectively.
"The Digital Economy Policy Committee will be the sole authority to decide on details of 4G spectrum auctions," said Mr Pornchai.
"The NBTC will be allowed to manage and handle the 4G auction during the formation of the digital economy panel, which is expected to be set up in April," he added.
"My ministry does not have the authority to decide on the auctions' details," he said.
Mr Pornchai added that the NBTC would serve as an independent regulatory body as stated in the NBTC bill, though it would be downgraded to only overseeing the allocation of spectra and governing competition in the telecom and broadcasting industries.