future of the thai telecommunications in the age of convergence: nbtc’s perspective

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

สำ�นักง�น 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 !


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X State Monopoly X Concession Contract X 2.1 GHz spectrum left unused

Liberalization

New regulatory task of NBTC = Spectrum Auction

3G aucti

on licens

e

Network roll out

obligation

3 regulationsInfra. SharingMVNONational Roaming

Better

consumer

protection

2. Successful regulatory tasks

Before NBTC establishment

After NBTC establishment


1.The removal of

N-1 Condition2. Spectrum

Packaging new block

size

3. Collusio

n prevent

ion

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 licensesInefficient use of spectrum

Effort to facilitate auction: Revision


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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



Regulator

Market needs to

be liberalize

d

Public critici

sm

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 processWhat’ve we been through?

12-year lack

behind other

countries


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Public underfirst-time-in-Thai-history

spectrum auctionComplexity; full of technical issuesDifferent principles and rules from other auctions

Problems

Solution

Legal Dimensi

on

Social Dimensi

on

3. Sequence of auction processRegulatory obstacles


10

Auction result confirmed by the ITUStrengthening stakeholders consultation process

Solution

Legal Dimension

Social DimensionClarification at

Administrative Court and government agenciesAdopted regulations to better ensure competition • Infrastructure

Sharing• MVNO• National roaming

How to overcome?

Regulatory obstacles



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3. Sequence of auction processAssessment by the ITU 1. Spectrum licenses were

efficiently and fairly assigned.2. Licenses contain important measures to improve competition3. Benefit to consumers is ensured by price reduction of 15% in comparison to 2G services4. Principles, objectives, design and outcome are consistent with international best practice.

สำ�นักง�น กสทช. new context of technological convergence

Technological Convergence between Telecommunications Media and ICT’s

Digitalization

TelecommunicationsInfrastructure

Voice Services

MediaInfrastructures

Media and Radio Services

ICT’sInfrastructureInformatics Applications

4. Next challenge of regulatory tasks

Regulation should be imposed only where necessary and must not block market development


•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 spectrum Converg

ence

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4. Next challenge of regulatory tasks


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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


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Thank youขอบคณุครบั/ค่ะ

Q&A?

future of the thai telecommunications in the age of convergence: nbtc’s perspective

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