A National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission source said that the clause may be scrapped because the potential starting bid price for the new auction was already high at more than Bt75.6 billion.

That was the price Jas Mobile Broadband quoted to win the licence in December but then forfeited it after failing to pay for the initial licence upfront fee by last Monday’s deadline

“One difference between the first 900MHz auction and this upcoming one is the first one focused on promoting price competition with a starting price of Bt12.88 billion, while for this new one the possible starting price is already high,” the source said.

Telecom commissioner Pravit Leestapornvongsa said that some key rules the telecom committee had to consider carefully included the possibility of the auction continuing even if there were only one bidder.

However, Pravit said allowing that to happen must be contingent on the auction rules clearly stating that an acceptable price must be achieved.

If there were no auction, the telecom committee would keep the licence for one year at least, according to its previous resolution. But Pravit is doubtful whether this resolution might affect the NBTC’s plan to claim damages from Jas Mobile.

If the NBTC does not hold the new auction, it would have no auction costs or related costs to refer to in order to claim damages from Jas. If the auction is held and the final price is lower than Jas’ bid, the watchdog might be able to claim this price difference from Jas.

It is highly likely that there will be only three bidders – Advanced Info Service, Total Access Communication, and True Corp. However DTAC said that if the starting bid price for this new round were Bt75 billion, it probably would not participate.

DTAC is opposed to the telecom committee’s resolution to allow TrueMove H Universal Communication, which won the other 900MHz slot in December, to take part in this new bidding.

AIS is interested in joining the new auction but the final decision on that rests with its board. True is keeping mum on whether it will enter the fray.

The telecom committee has set up a working group to draft the new auction rules for the possible starting licence price of Bt75.654 billion. The auction is expected to take place on June 24.