Public TV broadcasters first to get digital network licences

WATCHIRANONT THONGTEP

THE NATION November

BANGKOK: -- The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission has prioritised the granting of digital terrestrial network-provider licences to government bodies, state enterprises and public organisations that already have their own television-broadcast networks.

Natee Sukonrat, chairman of the NBTC's broadcasting committee, said yesterday that those organisations were the Royal Thai Army, the Public Relations Department, MCOT and the Thai Public Broadcasting Service (Thai PBS), as they operated TV channels and held spectra before the implementation of the Radio and Television Broadcasting Business Act BE 2551 (2008).

Natee spoke to the media during the NBTC's public hearing on two draft regulations, on licensing for network providers and spectrum holders for broadcast of digital terrestrial television. He explained that the draft rules could allow analog terrestrial TV network providers to utilise their facilities efficiently and reduce redundant investment on networks.

According to the draft, after obtaining a network licence, a provider must cover 50 per cent of total households within its first year of operation, then expand that to 80 per cent in the second year, 90 per cent in the third and 95 per cent in the fourth. In addition, transmissions in municipal areas must be available for portable indoor reception.

After the public hearing, the broadcasting committee needed to revise both draft regulations before submission to the NBTC board for approval.

Natee expects to grant the first network-provider licences in January, while those for spectrum holders for commercial digital terrestrial TV broadcasting will come later.

The NBTC is now drafting the details of rule and licensing qualifications for spectrum holders. Public hearings on this draft will begin early next year and the spectrum auction for commercial digital terrestrial TV services will be held by April.

The TV channels for commercial broadcasting services have been divided into four groups: five standard-definition channels providing programmes for children and families; five SD news and information TV channels; and 10 SD and four high-definition channels for general programmes.

-- The Nation 2012-11-11

More of the house rules I guess. The four who had licenses prior to the act are exempt and those wishing to gain licences now hit the bureaucratic wall. Either way it is doubtful any English language channel will be set up or approved.

Can anybody give me a reasonable explanation of why the Army still have their own television company?