(CTN News) – DES Ministry now expects the commission to remedy this issue and provide clarifications to the House shortly.
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) stated last week that it had cancelled the auction of satellite orbital slots between 50.5° and 142° East due to a lack of bids.
This follows a disappointing auction in January of last year, in which only three of the five orbital spots were sold.
An NBTC source stated that two businesses, Space Tech Innovation Co Ltd (a subsidiary of Thaicom Public Co Ltd) and Prompt Technical Co Ltd, had collected auction details, but no bids were received by the July 23 deadline, resulting in the auction’s cancellation.
The media on Monday questioned why the NBTC had neglected to provide any clarifications or progress reports on the auction’s failure over the previous week. Many others also wondered if the commission would simply let the issue fade away.
Prasert Chantraruangthong, Minister of Digital Economy and Society (DES), stated that his ministry is responsible for maintaining orbital rights. However, he stated that because the NBTC has awarded licenses to private businesses, it is the commission’s responsibility to protect these orbital slots, which are considered national assets.
However, he stated that the NBTC has yet to explain this matter with the ministry, and that more clarification is expected in the House of Representatives.
According to regulations, if the NBTC is unable to auction off these slots, it must return the usage rights to the International Telecommunication Union.
The media on Monday questioned why the NBTC had neglected to provide any clarifications or progress reports on the auction’s failure over the previous week. Many others also wondered if the commission would simply let the issue fade away.
Prasert Chantraruangthong, Minister of Digital Economy and Society (DES), stated that his ministry is responsible for maintaining orbital rights. However, he stated that because the NBTC has awarded licenses to private businesses, it is the commission’s responsibility to protect these orbital slots, which are considered national assets.
NBTC’s Next Steps Following Auction Failure
However, he stated that the NBTC has yet to explain this matter with the ministry, and that more clarification is expected in the House of Representatives.
According to regulations, if the NBTC is unable to auction off these slots, it must return the usage rights to the International Telecommunication Union.
Separately, the source stated that the coverage areas of these orbits are unsuitable for the Thai market since they overlap with locations such as India, the Middle East, and Central Africa, which connect with previously auctioned orbits.
According to the NBTC’s original plan, potential bidders could purchase bid envelopes between June 4 and 25, with the bid submission deadline set for July 23. The commission planned to notify qualified bidders by August 13, run the auction on August 24, and disclose the results seven days later, on August 31.
