Bt100 bn sent from NBTC to state coffers
THE NATIONAL Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission has transferred over Bt100 billion in regulatory fees to state coffers since it came on the scene four years ago. Takorn Tantasith, secretary-general of the NBTC, said yesterday that Bt41.62 bi
The watchdog also expects that the auctions of 1800MHz and 900MHz licences this year would bring in over Bt60 billion of upfront fees.
The NBTC forwards all revenues after expenses to the treasury.
NBTC chairman Thares Punsri said the NBTC successfully ushered both telecom and broadcasting industries from the concession regime to the licensing system.
The NBTC will adjust the spectrum master plan next year to promote new services and licences.
Korkij Danchaivichit, deputy secretary-general of the NBTC, said Tune Talk and White Space were the latest companies to be granted mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) licences.
Tune Talk is the leading mobile prepaid MVNO service provider in Malaysia, while White Space was reportedly founded by a former executive of Total Access Communication.
The NBTC is trying to promote the MVNO business by hiring UK-based InterConnect Communications to study ways to support it.
Korkij said the NBTC would like to see all MVNOs forming an association to negotiate resale services with the mobile phone operators.
The MVNOs lease the networks of major telecom operators to provide telecom services.
The NBTC has already awarded about 20 MVNO licences. The six most active are Real Move, M Consultant, Samart i-Mobile, Loxley, IEC and 168 Communication.
Besides Tune Talk and White Space, new MVNO players are Data Communication, Tesco-Lotus and Mobile LTE. Most of them are in talks with CAT Telecom for possible wholesale-resale partnership deals.
According to the NBTC, Tune Talk is in talks with CAT for a possible MVNO partnership and will join with Thai AirAsia to tap the tourist market. White Space is also in talks with CAT on a similar deal.
