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Thai regulator plans to re-auction 900-MHz frequencies, process could take four months.
As predicted, Thailand’s Jas Mobile late on Monday missed the payment deadline for its 4G licence.
The Bangkok Post reported that telco watchdog, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), is considering legal action, and plans to revoke the operating licences of Jas’ parent company Jasmine International, which offers fixed broadband and pay TV services.
Jas won one of two 900-MHz spectrum licences up for grabs in December’s 4G auction with a bid of 75.65 billion baht (€1.93 billion). The other successful bidder was True Corp subsidiary True Move H Universal Communication (TUC).
Settapong Malisuwan, chairman of the NBTC’s telecom committee, insisted in Monday’s report that Jas’ non-payment had nothing to do with the structure of the auction.
"We have set the best auction design for the public’s benefit. It was a lack of responsibility on Jas’ part and the company has to take responsibility for its actions," he said.
The licence fee was due to be paid by 4.30pm local time on Monday, but doubts over Jas’ ability to pay for its spectrum arose long before then, after it struggled to reach any financing deals with banks.
Late last week it became even less likely that Jas would pay, when it failed to confirm in writing that it planned to transfer any funds to the NBTC.
According to the Bangkok Post, Jas Mobile not only faces legal action, but will also forfeit the THB645 million (€16.4 million) it paid to participate in the auction.
Meanwhile, the NBTC plans to re-auction Jas’ 900-MHz spectrum, which could take up to four months to carry out. If the new auction fails, the NBTC will suspend the process for one year.
