In a move aimed at rejuvenating interest, Thailand’s National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has significantly slashed the prices for its upcoming satellite orbital slots auction. Eyeing the unsold slots from a previous auction, the NBTC hopes to attract more bidders this time around.

 

Scheduled to take place between August 23 and September 7, the auction will feature satellite orbital positions at 50.5° East, 51° East, and 142° East. The NBTC's board-approved revised auction conditions, formally ratified on May 13, promise more attractive terms for potential participants.

 

Pachara Naripthaphan, an advisor to the NBTC chairman, acknowledged that the January auction’s failure to sell these slots prompted the changes. In that auction, Space Tech Innovation, a Thaicom company, secured two packages for the equivalent of £9 million and £9.8 million, respectively. Meanwhile, National Telecom snapped up a third package at a mere £213,000.

 

In an effort to avoid losing these orbital positions under International Telecommunications Union regulations, the NBTC has extended the satellite launch deadline from three to five years after obtaining a licence. More strikingly, the starting bid prices have been dramatically slashed.

 

An anonymous NBTC source revealed that the opening price for the 50.5°E and 51°E positions has been reduced to £974,000 from £8.9 million. Similarly, the 142°E slot now starts at £546,000, down from £4.51 million. This massive reduction reflects the difficulty in commercialising these slots, which primarily serve the Caribbean and Middle East.

 

Additionally, the new terms require winning bidders to return at least 2.5% of their total revenue to the state. Failure to meet the launch and business operation criteria will incur hefty fines, equivalent to the original starting auction prices of £8.9 million for the 50.5°E and 51°E slots, and £4.51 million for the 142°E slot, according to the source.

 

With these revisions, the NBTC is keen to secure participants and ensure that Thailand retains these valuable orbital positions, driving growth in the nation’s satellite communication sector.

 

TOP Picture courtesy: Thaicom

 

-- 2024-05-15

 

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Hurry - Grand Sale now on   

Perhaps they need to talk to Elon about what 'real value' is based upon, when it comes to the satellite business. Maybe he would make an offer - just to keep them off the market for 5-10 years (unless he needs them). But would there be enough tea money to go around - probably not.  

Isn't the real world competition a bitch.

 

Imagine the difference between a real world competitive price, and a Thai world dream price.

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Eyeing the unsold slots from a previous auction, the NBTC hopes to attract more bidders this time around.

Reserve prices a tad high were they...

Welcome to the real world Thailand.

Perhaps this is an accurate indication of just how anemic the economy currently is in Thailand. 

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

Perhaps this is an accurate indication of just how anemic the economy currently is in Thailand. 

Perhaps it is more an indication that perhaps the pie in the sky prices were more a product of somebodies vivid imagination and sense of self importance.

Buy 2 get 1 free.

11 hours ago, webfact said:

these valuable orbital positions

If they were that valuable they wouldn't have to offer massive reductions.