The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) is advancing its regulatory approach for data centers by upgrading licenses from Type 1 to Type 3. It plans to submit this for board approval. Tri Rat stressed the need to organize and zone operations to avoid impactingthe country's energy consumption.In the future, after financial institutions that provide loans for data center construction have signaled concerns about abandonment or their use as tools for gray capital, potentially serving as channels for criminal gangs if not strictly regulated.
Tri Rat Wiriyasirikul, Deputy Secretary-General and Acting Secretary-General of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), said that due to the growth of the data center business, the NBTC sees the need to regulate new data center license applicants.Data centersby issuing an NBTC announcement to change licenses from Type 1 to Type 3. This will be proposed to the NBTC board to take effect by 2026.
A Type 1 telecommunications license is for providers without their own network, focusing on reselling services (Reseller) or offering additional services such as international calling cards and high-speed internet service providers (ISP) by leasing others’ networks. It is a "notification" type license. In contrast, a Type 3 license is for operators owning their own network to provide services to the public or other providers, with stricter and more comprehensive requirements. Operators in this group include mobile phone providers and submarine cable operators.
Currently, there is significant investment in data centers in Thailand, with many receiving investment promotion from the Board of Investment (BOI). This has prompted Thailand to reconsider appropriate zoning to avoid future energy impacts. Beyond energy concerns, financial institutionshaveexpressed concerns and communicated through the NBTC their doubts about whether loans will lead to abandonment, as well as worries that gray capital may invest in data centers to provide communication channels for criminal gangs.
“With the upgrade to Type 3 licenses, besides increased fees, the important aspect is that the office can better regulate investment in Thailand, such as zoning that matches energy availability in each area. There may also be the development of energy industrial estates to ensure sufficient power without affecting energy production for the public. Additionally, the office can access information about which customers data center operators serve and assess their credibility. We must consider long-term impacts and not block investment. Public consultation will be held before the new announcement is issued.”
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