TOT Plc's labour union will submit a formal statement to the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) today asking the regulator to halt the planned auctions of its 900-megahertz spectrum to provide fourth-generation (4G) mservice.
The union wants the regulator to allow TOT to keep 20 MHz of bandwidth on the 900-MHz spectrum for its own use after its concession with Advanced Info Service Plc (AIS) expires next month.
The NBTC plans to auction two licences of the 900-MHz spectrum in November, each containing 10 MHz of bandwidth.
Union president Anushit Toopluong said the statement outlined three reasons for derailing the auction.
First, TOT has the right to use the spectrum, as it was given permission to operate it by the defunct national spectrum management committee, which was under the Transport Ministry 20 years ago.
The permission was awarded without an expiry date.
After receiving the permission, TOT granted mobile leader AIS a concession contract to operate 2G mobile service on the spectrum.
"TOT should have the right to keep the bandwidth spectrum even after the concession expires," Mr Anushit said.
Second, the auctions will devalue the assets of its existing 2G mobile network and 16,000 telecom towers, as TOT can no longer operate mobile service without a spectrum.
Third, the 900-MHz spectrum is not as popular with global mobile operators providing 4G service as the 1800- and 2600-MHz spectra.
Mr Anushit said 2G mobile service should be continued while 3G and 4G technologies were accommodated, but 2G should not be replaced.
"We want the NBTC to formulate a spectrum refarming plan determining which frequency ranges and technologies are suitable for 2G, 3G and 4G," he said.
Mr Anushit said TOT expected to generate several billion baht of revenue a year if it could keep offering mobile service after the concession expires.
The union will also submit a list of 500 employees opposing the planned auctions, he added.
Information and Communication Technology Minister Pornchai Rujiprapa said state telecoms should be allowed to keep some spectrum ranges to provide telecom service for the public benefit.
However the range should be settled through negotiation rather than legal moves against the planned auctions, he said.