Big 3 expected to dominate auction

Smaller firms not expected to win spectrum share

While three major private cellular operators will definitely take part in the upcoming bid for the 2.1gigahertz spectrum slots, companies with political links may also emerge as competitors in the fray today.

A telecom industry source said, however, that even if more than three companies joined the bidding, it might not change the perception of some critics that the auction terms and conditions were aimed at paving the way for AIS, DTAC and True to monopolise the spectrum slots.

Bidders who want to take part in the auction must submit applications to the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) by 4.30pm today, along with a cashier's cheque of Bt1.350 billion, a guarantee of support from banks should they win, and an application fee of Bt500,000.

The NBTC will announce the names of auction participants on October 9 and hold the spectrum auction on October 16.

Advanced Info Service (AIS) has selected its subsidiary Advanced Wireless Network (AWN) to take part in the bid. AWN is expected to submit its application to the NBTC today at 8.45am.

Total Access Communication (DTAC) has selected its subsidiary DTAC Internet Network; it will submit its application at 9am.

True has selected its subsidiary Real Future as bidder.

To date, 17 companies have picked up the information on the auction's terms and conditions. Among them are AIS and its two subsidiaries, AWN and Advanced Mobile Broadband; DTAC subsidiaries DTAC Internet Network and DTAC Broadband; and True Corp subsidiaries Real Future, Real Move and TrueMove.

The remaining interested parties are BB Connect of Benchachinda group, former owner of DTAC; Jaya Soft Vision, a subsidiary of telecom-solution firm JRW Utility; Cable Thai Holding, a cable TV operator owned by Wichai Thongtang, former lawyer for ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra; ACT Mobile, a subsidiary of TOT; Victory Motor; Tantawan Telecommunications; Jasmine International and its subsidiary Jasmine Telecom Systems; and Symphony Communication.

Victory Motor and Tantawan were founded by family members of Yuthana Photasuthon, who is the son of senator Prasit. Prasit's daughter, Patamawadee, is director of Victory Motor, while Prasit's wife, Duangkae, is director of Tantawan. Tantawan was founded on September 17 with capital of Bt100 million.

This is not the first time that the Photasuthon family has taken an interest in the spectrum bid. Two years ago, Patamawadee headed an application by WinWin NGV to join the bid for 2.1GHz spectrum slots to be held by the NBTC's predecessor, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC). But that application failed due to the lack of a cashier's cheque and bank guarantee.

However, a telecom industry source said that Tantawan could emerge as the fourth serious bidder this time, having already hired a consultant to help it mount a successful bid.

Another source added that the company was seeking a bank guarantee from Bank of China in Thailand.

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Source: http://www.news.thethailandlinks.com/2012/09/28/big-3-expected-to-dominate-auction/