Two companies share licences

THAILAND ADVANCED Info Service, Thailand’s biggest wireless operator, and third-placed Total Access Communication won licences in the country’s spectrum auction for a combined 25 billion baht (R11bn). Each firm won a single 1 800M/ Hz permit for 12.5bn baht, the National Broadcasting & Telecommunications Commission Secretary General Takorn Tantasith said after the conclusion of the auction yesterday in Bangkok. The other major operator, True Corporation, sat out the sale of the 15-year licences. The permit will help Telenor ASA-backed Total Access Communication ensure continuity of service as some of the operator’s concessions expire in September. Advanced Info Service, could use its licence to cement its position as the top carrier in Thailand. – Bloomberg UK