DES Ministry panel working on ToR for private satellite operators

DES Ministry panel working on ToR for private satellite operators

The Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry has expressed confidence that it can find companies that will operate services on satellites Thaicom 4, 5 and 6 before Thaicom's concessions expire in September 2021.

The scheme will be carried out under the public-private partnership model. Thaicom is obliged to transfer all concession-related assets to the state when the concession ends.

Ajarin Pattanapanchai, the DES permanent secretary, said the ministry's working group is in the process of considering terms of reference (ToR) for private operators to run the service. The ToR draft is expected to be completed by mid-2020.

After that, bidders will be asked to submit their proposals.

The ministry spent 6 million baht hiring Chulalongkorn University to study the draft conditions in relation to the satellite operation, Ms Ajarin said.

"ToR for the PPP projects in connection with three satellites should be finished by June next year," she said.

The ministry's teams are updating which satellite assets have to be handed over to the state.

Thaicom 4 is operated on the orbital slot at 119.5 East and Thaicom 5 and 6 at 78.5 East.

The government plans to replace concessions in satellite businesses with a licensing regime to promote liberalisation of the industry while maintaining state benefits.

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) took over regulating all related satellite businesses from the DES Ministry last year, according to the amended NBTC law.

The DES Ministry recently wrote to the NBTC, asking if the ministry could help arrange orbital slots and satellite network filing for satellites throughout their lifespan to facilitate the procedure.

Ms Ajarin said the move would help ease bidders' concerns about regulatory issues. However, the request was shot down by the NBTC.

Thanapant Raicharoen, deputy secretary-general of the NBTC, said the agency acknowledged the concerns raised by the ministry.

The regulator stands ready to award operating licences and rights for satellite network filing immediately to companies selected by the ministry under the PPP project, he said.

Air Marshal Thanapant said the NBTC has finished three related regulation drafts for the satellite business: a master plan for satellite orbital slot rights, rules for licensing to use slots, and rules for using satellites owned and operated by foreigners.

The NBTC plans a public hearing on the drafts on Oct 21, aiming for implementation by November.

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