The Thai government plans to set restrictions on the upcoming 1800-MHz auction to ensure the highest bidder cannot intentionally create technical barriers for operators already using the 1800-MHz band.
As part of the new terms, the winning bidder will be banned from selecting slots that would create technical issues for operators using adjacent slots, the Bangkok Post reported.
But in a condition that may be aimed at ensuring greater interest in participating in this second attempt to hold the auction after the first was canceled due to lack of interest in June, the protection will only apply to operators applying to take part in the bidding.
The telecoms ministry plans to auction a total of nine 10 MHz slots of 1800-MHz spectrum, capping the maximum allocation at four. The highest bidder will have their choice of frequencies, followed by the second and third highest.
The report notes that this will also be the first auction where the department will allow the winner to negotiate slot reshuffles with other operators.
The ministry has set a reserve price for the auction of 23.48 billion baht ($375.9 million). The auction is scheduled for August 19. So far AIS and DTAC have picked up bid documents.
Source: https://www.telecomasia.net/content/thai-govt-amends-terms-1800-mhz-auction