State-owned MCOT Plc yesterday secured six out of eight radio frequencies allotted for Bangkok during an auction of spectrum bands used for FM broadcasting.
A total of 71 frequencies were allocated for the auction by radio stations across the country, including eight spectrum ranges for Bangkok.
There were four batches of frequencies in the bidding, which was organised by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC). The first consists of eight frequencies in Bangkok, six in the Central Plains and four in the Northeast.
The second batch encompasses 10 frequencies in the North and 12 in the South, while the third involves 12 frequencies in the Northeast and six in the North. The fourth batch includes five in the Northeast and eight in the South.
Only the first two batches were auctioned off by press time yesterday.
MCOT president Kasemsarn Chotchakornpant told the media that the firm grabbed six frequency ranges allotted for Bangkok for a total of 286.8 million baht.
MCOT participated in the bidding for 55 frequency ranges across the country, which Mr Kasemsarn said was thoroughly considered based on potential profits, network coverage areas as well as social perspectives in supplying correct information to the public.
Trusted news and smart entertainment are key elements that could strengthen its core businesses this year, particularly through Thai News Agency and collaboration projects with partners.
The total reserve price for 71 frequencies is 402 million baht but only the first batch of the auction, involving 18 frequencies, saw 443 million baht generated to the state coffer, according to Col Natee Sukonrat, NBTC vice chair.
The bidding of the second batch ended with 160 million baht in combined winning prices, much higher than the combined reserve price of 7.6 million baht. Col Natee said bidding for frequencies allotted for provinces is very competitive.
"The event was a success of a transformation from a state-owned frequency holding system to a licensing regime, which is due to start on April 4," he said.