BRS advised and assisted with the first issuance of a Type 1 telecoms license for IIG (International Internet Gateway) services in Thailand. Until now, IIG services have been reserved exclusively for Type 3, IIG-licensed operators.
Authorization to conduct telecoms business in Thailand is in the form of licenses issued by the National Broadcasting & Telecommunications Commission (NBTC). Three types of license are available. A Type 1 license is issued to a telecoms business operator that:
- provides services without a telecommunications network of its own; and
- provides services that have been deemed appropriate to be liberalized and that are open to competition between service providers.
Examples of Type 1 telecoms services include internet access services, international calling card services, reselling public switched telecommunications services, etc.
Our Tech-Media-Telecoms attorneys, led by partner John P. Formichella, advised on the corporate and transactional structuring of the application to the NBTC, which regulates Thailand's telecommunications fairly, transparently, and equitably on the basis of international standards.
Following a stringent 2-month review procedure, permission was granted for the provision of IIG services to a Type 1 telecoms business operator, which is the first such successful application of its kind in Thailand.
Details regarding the different types of telecoms licenses that are available can be found here.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
