Issuing third-generation (3G) licences may be put off to the first quarter of next year by a revised schedule from the Office of the National Telecommunications Commission, which could also set back commercial 3G services to late 2010.

The office is to submit its new plan to the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) board for approval.

The potential delay has revived a familiar concern among mobile-phone operators that commercial 3G services will be postponed to late 2010.

The NTC had earlier approved issuing 3G licences by the year-end, while major mobile operators planned to provide 3G commercial services early next year.

But the much-awaited trial auction for 3G licences will now be put back to January, with licences being awarded by the first quarter of next year, said Suranand Wongwittayakamjorn, secretary-general of the Office of National Telecommunications Commission.

Mr Suranand declined to give the base price, terms and conditions for the auctions, but said regulations and policy guidelines should come mid-September.

Wichian Mektrakarn, the president of Advanced Info Service (AIS), said if the NTC further delays issuing 3G licences, AIS faces a loan commitment fee from banks for keeping open the company's credit line.

AIS applied for 10 billion baht in bank loans to spend on its 3G investment project by the year-end.

"If the issue is delayed a quarter, we will be inevitably charged a commitment fee for three months to continue making available unused loan facilities," he said.

Athueck Asvanund, vice-chairman of True Corporation, said 3G services would be introduced at least six or seven months after a delayed issuing of licences.