DTAC expiry hangs over NBTC
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/te ... -over-nbtc
Over 1 million mobile customers using Total Access Communication's (DTAC) 850-megahertz spectrum network will be disconnected from mobile service after Sept 15, as the board of the telecom regulator will likely cut off the mobile network service after the concession expires.
Furthermore, all 21 million DTAC customers will lose their mobile connection in areas the company's 850MHz network covers.
At a meeting Wednesday, the board of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) is expected to not allow DTAC to continue using the 850MHz spectrum network after the Sept 15 concession expiry.
This is in response to the country's third-largest mobile operator failure to participate in the 900MHz spectrum auction, which was scheduled for last month, an NBTC source who requested anonymity told the Bangkok Post.
"The rejection adheres to the board's July 2 resolution, protecting the NBTC from severe legal backlash [in violation of Criminal Code Section 157] from the other two mobile operators," the source said.
The July 2 resolution pressed DTAC to participate in the 900MHz spectrum auction if the company wanted to benefit from the concession remedy.
"I learnt DTAC is considering filing a lawsuit against the NBTC board with the Central Administrative Court if the company is not allowed to continue using the 850MHz network after the concession expires," the source said.
DTAC earlier submitted its customer protection plan to the NBTC, asking the regulator to temporarily use 10x2MHz upload and download of bandwidth on the 850MHz spectrum until it can remove all customers from the network, as stipulated by the original concession terms.
Even though DTAC participated om the 900MHz spectrum auction and won a licence, the company also needs at least one year to optimise the network from 850- to 900MHz performance.
The source conceded that the NBTC is faced with legal risk no matter what it decides Wednesday.
On the one hand, the NBTC can face a lawsuit for not allowing DTAC to continue using the 850MHz spectrum.
On the other, the NBTC will also face legal action from AIS and True Move if the regulator decides in favour of DTAC.
For the first time in Thailand's telecom history, the source stressed that the regulator auctioned the spectrum before the concession's expiry date.
"We cannot guarantee that if the NBTC provides DTAC the remedy period, that DTAC will enter the 900MHz auction for the next round," the source said.
MASSIVE IMPACT
"If the board rejects our request, our massive customer base will face technical impacts," admitted a DTAC executive, who asked not to be named.
"Not only will the 380,000 customers on the 850MHz be disconnected, but also our 21 million total DTAC customers [via network roaming on the 850MHz] will face service disruption."
DTAC submitted its latest report about the existing number of DTAC customers on the 1800- and 850-MHz networks last Friday, as required by the NBTC.
DTAC has about 380,000 customers on the 850MHz network.
NEW 900MHZ AUCTION IN 2019
A second-round auction for the 900MHz spectrum licence is scheduled in early 2019, said the NBTC source.
The NBTC is considering amendments to the reserve price and a longer period for licence payment from three years to eight years, with a view to boost interest. The regulator will also remove the condition that licence winners must be solely responsible for any and all interference with upcoming railway projects, both on the 850- and 900-MHz spectra.
DTAC expiry hangs over NBTC
DTAC expiry hangs over NBTC
May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil know`s you`re dead!
Re: DTAC expiry hangs over NBTC
NBTC to cut off Dtac's 850MHz customers on Saturday
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/te ... recent_box
The board of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) on Wednesday resolved not to allow any leeway for mobile phone subscribers using the expiring 850-megahertz spectrum concession of Total Access Communication Plc (Dtac).
Six of the seven members of the NBTC board took part in the meeting on Wednesday morning. Four voted against offering any redress. The two others, Prawit Leesathapornwongsa and Thawatchai Jittrapanun, were in favour of allowing Dtac extra time.
NBTC vice chairman Natee Sukolrat was absent from the board meeting.
On Tuesday Dtac filed a complaint with the Administrative Court accusing the NBTC of failing to protect its mobile phone customers. The regulator plans to end all services using the 850MHz spectrum, mostly 2G phones. The court's decision is pending.
Dtac's contract will expire on Saturday, when its 27-year concession to use the spectrum ends.
The country's third largest mobile phone operator, Dtac argued that the NBTC allowed other operators to maintain mobile phone services for their customers after their concessions ran out, pending the selection of new spectrum licensees.
About 346,000 mobile phone customers use Dtac's 850MHz spectrum network. Without any relief from the NBTC, their phones will be disconnected from the nationwide phone service on Saturday.
In addition to customers directly using 850MHz facilities, Dtac said earlier that about one million other customers would also be affected because the roaming system on their phones depended on the 850MHz spectrum.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/te ... recent_box
The board of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) on Wednesday resolved not to allow any leeway for mobile phone subscribers using the expiring 850-megahertz spectrum concession of Total Access Communication Plc (Dtac).
Six of the seven members of the NBTC board took part in the meeting on Wednesday morning. Four voted against offering any redress. The two others, Prawit Leesathapornwongsa and Thawatchai Jittrapanun, were in favour of allowing Dtac extra time.
NBTC vice chairman Natee Sukolrat was absent from the board meeting.
On Tuesday Dtac filed a complaint with the Administrative Court accusing the NBTC of failing to protect its mobile phone customers. The regulator plans to end all services using the 850MHz spectrum, mostly 2G phones. The court's decision is pending.
Dtac's contract will expire on Saturday, when its 27-year concession to use the spectrum ends.
The country's third largest mobile phone operator, Dtac argued that the NBTC allowed other operators to maintain mobile phone services for their customers after their concessions ran out, pending the selection of new spectrum licensees.
About 346,000 mobile phone customers use Dtac's 850MHz spectrum network. Without any relief from the NBTC, their phones will be disconnected from the nationwide phone service on Saturday.
In addition to customers directly using 850MHz facilities, Dtac said earlier that about one million other customers would also be affected because the roaming system on their phones depended on the 850MHz spectrum.
May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil know`s you`re dead!
Re: DTAC expiry hangs over NBTC
Straight from the book of "How to drive a foreign competitor out of the market". 
If they granted an extension/exemption for one, they must do it for all. If the admin court doesn't rule in DTAC's favour, I'm really keen to see the excuse they give. Pete
If they granted an extension/exemption for one, they must do it for all. If the admin court doesn't rule in DTAC's favour, I'm really keen to see the excuse they give. Pete
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
Re: DTAC expiry hangs over NBTC
Court issues injunction protecting Dtac subscribers
https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/genera ... recent_box
The Central Administrative Court on Friday issued an injunction against the telecom regulator, allowing customers of Total Access Communication (Dtac) to continue using the 850MHz mobile phone spectrum for another three months.
The court order benefits about 95,000 Dtac subscribers, most of them using the 2G service and others for roaming.
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission (NBTC) had planned cut off Dtac's access to the spectrum at midnight on Saturday.
Dtac has been locked in a dispute with the telecom regulators over its access to the spectrum when its concession expires. The NBTC board on Thursday decided by a split vote not the allow the company any leeway when the 28-year contract ends on Sept 15.
The regulating agency cited Dtac's decision not to enter an auction for use of the 900MHz spectrum to replace the 850MHz frequency, which would have allowed the company to smoothly migrate the users.
DTAC decided to seek court help, citing the need for subscribers whose devices use the spectrum to be protected from having the signal cut off.
The court said in the injunction statement released after the ruling that Dtac had the right to protect the affected customers until Dec 15.
This means that Dtac subscribers using the 850MHz bandwidth have three months to switch to other spectrums operated by the company, or move to another provider.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/genera ... recent_box
The Central Administrative Court on Friday issued an injunction against the telecom regulator, allowing customers of Total Access Communication (Dtac) to continue using the 850MHz mobile phone spectrum for another three months.
The court order benefits about 95,000 Dtac subscribers, most of them using the 2G service and others for roaming.
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission (NBTC) had planned cut off Dtac's access to the spectrum at midnight on Saturday.
Dtac has been locked in a dispute with the telecom regulators over its access to the spectrum when its concession expires. The NBTC board on Thursday decided by a split vote not the allow the company any leeway when the 28-year contract ends on Sept 15.
The regulating agency cited Dtac's decision not to enter an auction for use of the 900MHz spectrum to replace the 850MHz frequency, which would have allowed the company to smoothly migrate the users.
DTAC decided to seek court help, citing the need for subscribers whose devices use the spectrum to be protected from having the signal cut off.
The court said in the injunction statement released after the ruling that Dtac had the right to protect the affected customers until Dec 15.
This means that Dtac subscribers using the 850MHz bandwidth have three months to switch to other spectrums operated by the company, or move to another provider.
May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil know`s you`re dead!
Re: DTAC expiry hangs over NBTC
That’s good as I still use my 2G sim which roams to them. As I’m out of the country for a few more weeks I thought I might loose my number.
Enjoying 'Retirement'....So many jobs to do, I don't know how I ever had time to work!