It has ended with an auction of entry rights. satellite orbit In the form of a set (Package) for the first time in Thailand!?!
this auction is through the TV business Broadcasting Commission Office And the National Telecommunications Commission (NBTC Office) has auctioned 5 sets of licences, but has auctioned 3 sets of licences, namely set 2, orbit 78.5E (degrees east) , the winner is Space Tech Innovation Co, Ltd price 380,017,850 baht
and the third set, Orbit 119.5E and Orbit 120E, the winner is also Space Tech Innovation Co, Ltd, price 417,408,600 baht, and another license is Set 4, Orbit 126E, the bidder is National Telecommunications Public Company Limited or NT , price 9,076,200 baht
Although the other two sets, namely the 1st set, orbit 50.5e and orbit 51e, and the 5th set, orbit 142e, were not interested in bidding. Causing this auction to have 2 winners, 3 licenses, the total money received from the auction is 806,502,650 baht.
However, before the auction, there was some chaos. When some political parties and trade unions state enterprise Submit a letter of objection!! But the bidding went ahead. and even though this auction is over But it’s like it’s not over! Because “Srisuwan Janya” the secretary general of the Society for the Protection of the Constitution of Thailand has filed a lawsuit with the Central Administrative Court. that the auction of satellite orbits which is a national treasure this time Illegal!! In the court arrange an urgent hearing on January 19, which must be in accordance with the process of how the court will order?!? Most recently, on January 20, the Administrative Court rejected the request for temporary protection. These must be in accordance with the judicial process, how will the court have a verdict in the future?!?
However, after applying, in addition to the litigation process There is also an issue The NBTC still has to rush to find a way and solve the problem, namely, 2 sets of satellite network data sets, licenses that are not have they been auctioned yet!?! What to do?? Especially in the first set which has administrative areas in the Arab region, Europe, Africa and the Atlantic Ocean. with part of the condition that a satellite must be sent up into space in November 2024, the time is very close!!
Air Marshal Thanaphan Raicharoen, Commissioner of the NBTC and Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Satellite Matters He said, according to Section 60 of the 2017 constitution, “The state must retain the frequency spectrum and the right to access satellite orbits. Which is a national treasure ” Later, the powers and duties of the NBTC were amended in 2019 in accordance with the provisions of the constitution, causing the NBTC to have more satellite work. under the framework Retain existing orbit rights allocate rights for the benefits of the state and people and promote free and fair competition in the satellite business. As a result, an auction was held to transition from a concession system to a licence.
“One of the joys of organizing this auction is that in the past there was only one operator with a concession. Other private companies cannot do competitive business, but when they switch to bidding for licenses, there are more new players. Causing the number of operators to increase to 2 and the bidding for 3 licenses is as mandatory as Thailand. There will be at least 3 more satellites in orbit that will provide services to the public, with 2 service providers and modern technology. Both the board and brand board
In addition, in the third set of licences, Orbit 119.5e, if government agencies want to use more than 400 megabits, it is stated that the company that wins the application must reach an agreement with the government agency if it’ the government wants to use more Government agencies must be allowed to use more but will receive additional expenses from this part including setting up a portal that controls the use of government requirements
which must allow government agencies to establish a portal to control private and public use, at the expense of the state. to achieve fairness with the private sector as well, which the NBTC board sees as a resource allocation that is worthwhile, benefiting the private sector that can do business and the state also benefited It is a careful and appropriate consideration!!
“In my personal opinion, I think the private sector is not bidding for the 1st and 5th sets of satellite orbits, probably because the orbits are far from Thailand. Having to go to a market in foreign countries, so it does not generate interest. because they have to compete with foreign operators and the satellite business at the moment not as bright as in the last 20-30 years, a down market because every country has Satellites to launch and have more operators must be extremely competitive. Although the satellite business requires a high investment.
Chief Marshal Thanaphan told the Air Force about the case where people objected and filed a lawsuit. It is normal for all auctions. It is a matter for the NBTC to clarify, how is it best to use the auction method? In terms of numbers, the income to the state is low. you have to understand the basics of business At the moment, no private sector wants to come in. Or even the government agencies themselves As for the 2 copies of the issue that cannot be auctioned, it is considered a “big problem” for the NBTC board when the constitution requires that rights be preserved . But there are rules from The International Telecommunications Union or ITU is regulated.
“In this regard, the NBTC Board has approved the NBTC Office to prepare a draft modification of the licensing criteria and methods, whether to use the auction method or not. or use a new concept at all, for example, it may be possible to use an auction method by choosing qualifications without beating on prices or the beauty of content and orbits that can provide services in Thailand, etc., having to manage the new rights of a plan, the the NBTC has to consider it again This will take at least 6 months.”
It is therefore a job for the NBTC to speed up action on “satellites” that appear to have been auctioned off. But it’s not over yet!! There’s a mess that needs to be sorted out!?!
Jirawat Jarupan
