PM insists 4G spectrum auction must proceed

[Jonathan Fairfield]

PM insists 4G spectrum auction must proceed

BANGKOK:-- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha has given full support to the auction of fourth-generation (4G) spectrum with a stern warning that anyone who try to block the auction with illegal means will be dealt with in accordance with the law.

The prime minister however said that he would not invoke Section 44 of the interim constitution to give a go-ahead for the auction, pointing out that it is an issue of conflicting interests.

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission plans to auction off the 1800 and 900 megahertz spectrums on December 15. But the auction plan is being challenged by CAT Telecom and TOT Plc. TOT labour union on Wednesday filed a lawsuit with the Central Administrative Court to put on hold the planned auction.

The prime minister insisted that it was the government policy to auction off the 4G spectrum regardless of the pending lawsuit filed with the Central Administrative Court.

He reminded the protesters against the auction, both the TOT Plc and CAT Telecom, to look at themselves how they performed in the past. He said the two state enterprises are not as independent as they were in the past and all their revenues must be returned to the state’s coffers.

He made clear that auction of the spectrum did not only mean that it would generate revenue for the state but also meant that the public would benefit from the auction in a way that the service charge would be reduced.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/pm-insists-4g-spectrum-auction-must-proceed

-- Thai PBS 2015-11-07

[smutcakes]

Can anyone give a simplistic summary of what and who is involved in this issue?

And what exactly they are squabbling about?

[casualbiker]

^^^ money. And a lazy corporate structure (TOT, CAT) that have had the Mobile company's doing all the work and basically paying a fee to them for using the frequency. They don't want to lose the golden egg as they have NO clue how to work themselves!

[torpedo1970]

Dont care too much about this....

would be very happy if they just could get 3G to work properly

But hey TIT

[deckape]

This is the sweetest plum. Screw the envelopes...they probably have to rent forklifts for the backsheesh.