The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) says it will hold the auction of four satellite orbital slot packages on July 24 -- the first time for this auction in Thailand as the country embarks on the liberalisation of its satellite business.
The auction date announcement was made after the NBTC board approved the amended auction draft yesterday.
The first package consists of 50.5°East and 51°E orbital slots with a reserve price of 677 million baht; the second is for 78.5°E with a reserve price of 366.4 million; the third involves 119.5°E and 120°E at 393 million; and last is for 126°E and 142°E at 364.6 million.
Air Marshal Thanapant Raicharoen, deputy secretary-general of the NBTC, said the planned auction is in line with the NBTC law and the government's push to bring satellite business out of the concession model to a real licensing regime.
50.5°E, 51°E, 126°E and 142°E orbital slots remain unoccupied while 78.5°E and 119.5°E are being used by SET-listed Thaicom, whose concession is scheduled to expire in September.
AM Thanapant said the NBTC office has adjusted some conditions in the original draft after it was hit with criticism by telecom and satellite service operators in the first public hearing late last year.
The NBTC also heeded public feedback through its website.
Under the amended draft, starting bid prices for the first and third packages are lower than the original draft while some conditions are adjusted to be more attractive to potential bidders.
AM Thanapant also unveiled the timeline of the bidding process.
Interested bidders will be allowed to pick up bid documents on May 21.
From May 22 to June 20, they will be informed about documents required to be used for the auction.
Candidates will be allowed to submit their bid request on June 21 and the list of bidders announced on July 5.
Bidders who pass experience criteria checks will be announced on July 12 and a mock auction held between July 19 and 21.
The auction will be held on July 24 and the results of the auction will be approved by the NBTC board within seven days.