Oct. 6--Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva says that Thai telecom operators with limited capital deserve a fair chance in bidding for 3G mobile broadband licences because they might be at a disadvantage compared with foreign investors.

The National Telecommunications Commission, he said, should use the 3G licensing process to create a new telecom industry structure that is fairer than what exists now, Mr Abhisit said yesterday in a speech marking the regulator's fifth anniversary.

He said the third-generation network was considered a new telecom infrastructure and therefore needed cautious consideration in order to build a more competitive structure.

The NTC should not focus merely on technical proposals or high bid prices, he said.

The NTC wants to call bids in mid-December for four licences to operate the high-speed broadband services. Industry analysts say the licences could cost 10 billion baht or more each.However, Ranongruk Suwunchwee, the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) minister, wants the auction put off, saying the conditions deter the two state telecom enterprises and favour foreign players.

Mr Abhisit said the NTC also must explain more clearly how Thai operators can take part in the 3G competition, the role of government-owned TOT and CAT Telecom, new players, and how many operators holding existing concessions would remain in the market.

"All these issues are very challenging and I have sympathy with the NTC in carrying out this complicated work. But it has to listen to all these points and go forward to create the best competition under such restrictions," he said.

The premier said he wanted the NTC to show society that its 3G auction rules would contribute to free and fair competition and ensure equal chances for those with less investment capital.

He said he was concerned that Thai operators might be at a disadvantage to foreign companies or foreign state enterprises that might enter the auction process.

As well, he said, national security must be considered because "information warfare" had become more intense, particularly given the use of new media channels to disseminate political and other content and the difficulty in regulating them.

However, he also said migration to 3G technology could not be delayed further, but if it was, regulators would have to focus on the next generation of faster technology.

True Corp chief executive Supachai Chearavanont said he was encouraged by the prime minister's comments.

True has complained that the current 3G auction terms favour its two rivals, AIS and DTAC, which have foreign partners, while True is Thai-owned.

Mr Supachai said he also agreed with the prime minister's comments on national security because radio frequency is a natural resource.

Gen Choochart Promprasit, the NTC chairman, said the regulator was ready to answer all concerns, and insisted there would be no further delay in the 3G auction.

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