NBTC cancels satellite orbital auction due to lack of interest
DES Ministry now expects the commission to address this failure and provide clarifications to the House soon
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) confirmed last week that it has cancelled the auction of satellite orbital slots at 50.5° and 142° East after failing to attract any bidders.
This follows an unsuccessful auction in January last year, when only three out of five orbital slots were sold.
An NBTC source said that two companies, Space Tech Innovation Co Ltd (a subsidiary of Thaicom Public Co Ltd) and Prompt Technical Co Ltd, had collected auction details, but nobody submitted bids by the July 23 deadline, leading to the auction’s cancellation.
As of Monday, questions were raised by the media about why the NBTC has over the past week failed to provide any clarifications or progress reports on the auction’s failure. Many also asked if the commission will just let the matter fade away quietly.
Digital Economy and Society (DES) Minister Prasert Chantraruangthong said that maintaining orbital rights was his ministry’s responsibility. However, he said, since the NBTC has issued licences to private entities, it is the commission’s duty to preserve these orbital slots, which are considered national assets.
However, the NBTC has yet to clarify this issue with the ministry, he said, adding that further explanation is expected in the House of Representatives.
According to regulations, if the NBTC cannot auction off these slots, it is required to return the usage rights to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
As of Monday, questions were raised by the media about why the NBTC has over the past week failed to provide any clarifications or progress reports on the auction’s failure. Many also asked if the commission will just let the matter fade away quietly.
Digital Economy and Society (DES) Minister Prasert Chantraruangthong said that maintaining orbital rights was his ministry’s responsibility. However, he said, since the NBTC has issued licences to private entities, it is the commission’s duty to preserve these orbital slots, which are considered national assets.
However, the NBTC has yet to clarify this issue with the ministry, he said, adding that further explanation is expected in the House of Representatives.
According to regulations, if the NBTC cannot auction off these slots, it is required to return the usage rights to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
Separately, the source noted that the coverage areas of these orbits are not viable for the Thai market as they overlap with regions like India, the Middle East and Central Africa, which intersect with previously auctioned orbits.
As per the NBTC’s original timeline, potential bidders had between June 4 and 25 to purchase bid envelopes, with bid submission date set for July 23. The commission was scheduled to name eligible bidders by August 13, and hold the auction on August 24, with results to be announced seven days later on August 31.
