ID :
143508
Sat, 09/25/2010 - 11:05
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/143508
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Finance minister admits aborted 3G auction affects investment climate
BANGKOK, Sept 25 – Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij on Friday allowed that the Supreme Administrative Court’s decision to uphold lower court injunction suspending the planned auction for the third generation (3G) network telecom service would have a negative impact on the country’s economy in terms of investment opportunities.
It would also deprive the public of access to an alternative choice for the use of telecom technology.
Mr Korn said the government had two approaches to addressing the 3G development stalemate.
One is to accelerate amending the law governing establishment of a National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) to ensure it becomes effective this year.
Then, the NBTC could be set up within 180 days.
It is expected that the commission will be able to allocate frequencies and issue licenses to operate the 3G network on the 2,100 megahertz frequency.
Another option is to upgrade existing second generation (2G) wireless systems into the 3G network system on the existing frequency as many countries had already developed the 850 and 1,900 MHz frequencies into the 3G system.
However, he said, concession terms and conditions that require operators to operate the 2G network only are a key obstacle to that path of development.
The government will consider revising the concession agreement to allow the private sector to provide the 3G network service, said Mr Korn. (MCOT online news)
It would also deprive the public of access to an alternative choice for the use of telecom technology.
Mr Korn said the government had two approaches to addressing the 3G development stalemate.
One is to accelerate amending the law governing establishment of a National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) to ensure it becomes effective this year.
Then, the NBTC could be set up within 180 days.
It is expected that the commission will be able to allocate frequencies and issue licenses to operate the 3G network on the 2,100 megahertz frequency.
Another option is to upgrade existing second generation (2G) wireless systems into the 3G network system on the existing frequency as many countries had already developed the 850 and 1,900 MHz frequencies into the 3G system.
However, he said, concession terms and conditions that require operators to operate the 2G network only are a key obstacle to that path of development.
The government will consider revising the concession agreement to allow the private sector to provide the 3G network service, said Mr Korn. (MCOT online news)
