Abstract—The role of an independent regulator is such that it must ensure an arms length relationship with all stakeholders including government, stakeholders and consumers. As stakeholders are often at risks of losing benefits from regulator policy implementation, being a utility poses significant challenges where the regulator utmost strength to resist being influenced by power of politicians and some groups of consumers, at the same time, monopolistic behavior of operators. This paper aims to provide a detailed account of legal challenges and public criticism faced by National Broadcasting and Telecommunications (NBTC), as an independent regulator in 2.1 GHz spectrum auction and leadership skills and actions implemented to ensure stability of its position. This research concluded that the key factors such as (1) leadership to drive and ensure the right policies are being implemented without influence of stakeholders (2) cooperation with international institutions and external consultants to prove transparency in policy implementation –are of utmost significance to ensure regulators not only hold but thrive in its position. Further these two major factors were the key to ensuring NBTC were not scapegoats of such testing challenges and can continue to perform its role efficiently without any hindrance.

Index Terms—regulatory, spectrum auction, lesson learned, achievement, leadership

Cite: Settapong Malisuwan, "The First Spectrum Auction in Thailand: Lessons Learned and Achievements" Journal of Advanced Management Science, Vol. 5, No. 2, pp. 109-114, March 2017. doi: 10.18178/joams.5.2.109-114