AIS and True Corp won the two licences on offer in Thailand’s 1800-MHz auction which drew to a close on Thursday.
The process raised 80.78 billion baht (€2.1 billion), National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) secretary general Takorn Tantasith announced.
AIS’s Advanced Wireless Network was the biggest spender, picking up the 1725-1740 MHz/1820-1835 MHz frequencies for THB40.99 billion. True Corp’s True Move H Universal Communication came a close second, paying THB39.79 billion for the 1710-1725 MHz/1805-1820 MHz lot.
DTAC, owned by Telenor, and Jasmine International’s Jas Mobile Broadband took part in the auction but missed out on the licences.
The bidding appears to have been frenzied in the 1800-MHz contest. According to local news outlet The Nation, after 84 rounds the NBTC adjourned the process until Friday, only to change its mind and carry the auction through to its conclusion.
The auction came to a close in round 86, the NBTC said.
The regulator will hold a formal meeting to ratify the results and will make an official announcement on the outcome of the auc tion within seven days.
It remains to be seen what impact the result of the 1800-MHz sale will have on the auction of two 900-MHz licences due to take place in Thailand next month.
The same companies have qualified to take part in the 900-MHz contest.
The NBTC on Thursday reminded the market that it has taken steps to ensure that the 1800-MHz sale will have the best possible outcome for consumers.
Licensees will be required to roll out 4G networks to 40% of the population within four years and 50% within eight years, and offer cheaper rates than are currently available on 3G. They will also be compelled to offer special packages for those on low incomes.
