Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Minister Pornchai Rujiprapa is pressing Thaicom Plc to apply for an orbital slot licence for its first licence-based satellite to comply with soon-to-be-established regulations for the satellite industry.
The country's sole satellite service provider obtained only an operating licence from the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC). Such a licence permits the use of a defined spectrum at specific orbital position assignments.
"Thaicom needs to apply for a satellite orbital slot licence from the ICT Ministry in order to assess the filing requests with the International Telecommunication Union to reserve an orbital slot before launching a satellite," Mr Pornchai said.
The Space Affairs of Thailand Commission plans to submit the proposal for new satellite regulations to the cabinet next month for consideration.
The NBTC in mid-2012 granted a licence for Thaicom 7, the first licence-based satellite that was launched in mid-2014.
Thaicom obtained a 30-year concession from the ICT Ministry, which is due to expire in six years.
With the existing practices for satellite services, Mr Pornchai said satellite service providers must apply for an operating licence from the NBTC, plus another licence from the ICT Ministry.
Thaicom is operating three satellites under concessions with the ICT Ministry — the Thaicom 4 broadband satellite (known as iPSTAR) and broadcasting satellites Thaicom 5 and Thaicom 6.
Under the concession regime, Thaicom is required to pay 20.5% of total revenue to the ICT Ministry through the remaining six-year life.
Mr Pornchai also said the Space Affairs of Thailand Commission planned to hold talks with Thaicom and the NBTC to seek ways to better manage the satellite industry.
Thaicom, formerly known as Shin Satellite, was founded by ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Ekachai Phakdurong, Thaicom's vice-president for corporate affairs, said the company was open to discussions with the authorities and ICT business-related agencies in order to enhance the country's satellite development.