Another Misfortune for THCOM…..Is it? (Ask Gov.)

The countdown clock is ticking for Thaicom 4, Thaicom 5 and Thaicom 6 (THCOM) that will reach the end of their concession on 2021. While the problem remains to both THCOM and  Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (MDES), the owner of concession and the one who runs the main operation, of not having to come to any agreements at all.

Which causes a new satellite project to replace THCOM remains unsettled. The point is both THCOM and MDES may not come to an agreement at all, and MDES does not seem to make any move, as if the government would not want THCOM to operate the system anymore….or possibly a renewed contract with more conditions?

The same situation also occurs to Thaicom 7 and Thaicom 8 (contracts) that the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) urges these two satellites to return to the former concession agreement as what Thaicom 4, 5 and 6 are using, which is to pay 20.5% of profit to the government until the end of contract in 2021.

Another method is Deep of Agreement under the conditions of more fees and more operation of the satellites for the government.

 

Geez, both methods does not seem to give THCOM any benefits…..at all.

 

This turns out to be a new crisis that THCOM will be unable to avoid, and will significantly put THCOM operation at risk.

The slow movement in satellites TV business in Thailand and high competition in regions are main factors that keep pressing their growth. Meanwhile, the “lower in margin” of new customers or renewing contract for regular customers also cause THCOM’s profit to decrease.

A clear evidence is shown on the overall revenue of these satellite businesses that fell 23% to 6.4 million baht in 2017 when compared to 2016. The ratio of channel usage on IPStar Broadband Satellites and general satellites also have slight changes in positive ways.

More importantly, THCOM will face a challenge on finding new customers in broadband satellite businesses to replace the former groups that they have lost, while the ratio of general satellites (Thaicom 5-8) usages slowly creeps upward. The situation is going in reverse direction when pricing is very competitive after the need of satellite usage goes down.

Solutions for THCOM will most likely to be “how far can THCOM  implement the remaining of hardware to capitalize the business and find the opportunity to move into a new business.”  This will conclude THCOM’s shares as interesting and promising, or the opposite.

However, as of now, THCOM does not give any charisma…..at all.