This document discusses the future of telecommunications in Thailand in light of technological convergence. It summarizes the Thai regulator NBTC's perspective in three key areas: 1) NBTC has successfully conducted spectrum auctions and established new regulations to facilitate a competitive market, despite facing regulatory obstacles and criticism; 2) NBTC will continue working to overcome challenges from convergence, including managing upcoming spectrum expirations and a digital TV auction; and 3) Thailand's telecommunications sector has shifted from monopoly to liberalization under NBTC, benefitting consumers and industry through increased competition, better infrastructure, and cooperation at regional/international levels.

1. Future of the Thai Telecommunications
in the Age of Convergence:
NBTC’s perspective
Dr. Suthiphon Thaveechaiyagarn
National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commissioner
The 17th Asia Telecom Information Exchange (ATIE), New Delhi, 6th May 2013

2. สำนักงำน กสทช.
The NTC prepared
the auction
CAT filed a lawsuit
against the NTC
The Administrative Court
affirmed by the Supreme
Administrative Court
issued a provisional
injunction
Failure in conducting the previous auction
1.Background at a glance
Mission was impossible !

3. สำนักงำน กสทช.
5
X State Monopoly
X Concession Contract
X 2.1 GHz spectrum left unused Liberalization
New regulatory task of NBTC = Spectrum Auction
3G auction
license
Network
roll out
obligation
3
regulations
Infra.
Sharing
MVNO
National
Roaming
Better
consumer
protection
2. Successful regulatory tasks
Before NBTC establishment After NBTC establishment

4. สำนักงำน กสทช.
1.The removal of N-1
Condition
2. Spectrum Packaging
new block size
3. Collusion
prevention
4. Spectrum Cap
5. Reserve price
The spilt 5 MHz attracts new entrants
3. Sequence of auction process
Prevent spectrum hoarding Both legal and social measures
Encourage competition as a whole
Risk of leftover licenses
Inefficient use of spectrum
Effort to facilitate auction: Revision

5. สำนักงำน กสทช.
7
Before auction After auction
1. File petition to Administrative
Court to revoke provisional
injunction on former auction
2. Revise regulations to
facilitate the implementation of
auction
3. Deal with attempt to revoke/
suspend the auction by affected
party
1. Question and call for clarification
done by the Senate, Representative,
National Anti-Corruption Commission
2. 7 Lawsuits at the Administrative
Court
3. Storm of public criticism and
misunderstanding by misleading info
Regulatory obstacles
Auction
conducted Oct
2012
3. Sequence of auction process

6. สำนักงำน กสทช.
RegulatorMarket needs to
be liberalized
Public
criticism
Affected parties
wants to revoke
auction.Consumers expects
variety of services
with low price.
Character of telecoms
market is always
evolving and has rapid
growth.
No absolute
regulations like one-
size-fits-all model.
3. Sequence of auction process
What’ve we been through?
12-year lack
behind other
countries

7. สำนักงำน กสทช.
9
Public under
first-time-in-Thai-history spectrum auction
Complexity; full of technical issues
Different principles and rules from other auctions
Problems
Solution
Legal
Dimension
Social
Dimension
3. Sequence of auction process
Regulatory obstacles

8. สำนักงำน กสทช.
Auction result confirmed by the ITU
Strengthening stakeholders
consultation process
Solution
Legal
Dimension
Social
Dimension
Clarification at Administrative Court and
government agencies
Adopted regulations to better ensure
competition
• Infrastructure Sharing
• MVNO
• National roaming
How to overcome?
Regulatory obstacles
3. Sequence of auction process

9. สำนักงำน กสทช.
11
3. Sequence of auction process
Assessment by the ITU
1. Spectrum licenses were efficiently and fairly assigned.
2. Licenses contain important measures to improve
competition
3. Benefit to consumers is ensured by price reduction of 15%
in comparison to 2G services
4. Principles, objectives, design and outcome are consistent
with international best practice.

10. สำนักงำน กสทช.
new context of technological convergence
Technological Convergence between Telecommunications Media and ICT’s
Digitalization
Telecommunications
Infrastructure
Voice Services
Media
Infrastructures
Media and Radio
Services
ICT’s
Infrastructure
Informatics
Applications
4. Next challenge of regulatory tasks
Regulation should be imposed
only where necessary and must
not block market development

11. สำนักงำน กสทช.
• Expiration of concession contracts in
several bands (900, 1800 MHz) will be available
for auction
• interim consumer protection measure in
transitory period
Telecoms
• Digital TV auction (digital switchover)Broadcasting
• Harmonization of digital dividend spectrumConvergence
13
4. Next challenge of regulatory tasks

12. สำนักงำน กสทช.
14
End of monopoly
and shift to
liberalization
- More
competition
among sectors
- Better
infrastructure
-Benefit for Thai
consumers
-Benefit for Thai
industry
5. Conclusion
Increasing cooperation at both regional and
international levels

13. สำนักงำน กสทช.
15
Thank you
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