Thailand’s telecommunication regulator said Monday the auction of long-awaited third-generation (3G) mobile service license may be put off to the first quarter of the year, while commercially kick off of the service is expected later the year.

National Telecommunication Commission (NTC), Secretary-General Suranan Wongvithayakamjorn told a seminar that the process should start after the selection of new NTC board members in August.

He declined to release details as well as terms and conditions for the auction, saying regulations and policy guidelines should be coming by the middle of September.

Operator Advance Info Service Plc (AIS) president Wichian Mektrakarn complained that delaying of the license for the few months would further put burden on operators with interest charges.

Thai operators want to receive 3G license on the new 2.1 GHz spectrum to help reduce regulatory cost and tap new revenues through music, video, photo and data services.

Operators recently pay a certain portion of revenue to two state-own firms for the right to operate networks.

The 3G license gives the sector reforming, because operators will only pay license fee instead.