NBTC Taking a Move to Help Consumers Switch to Digital Television Broadcasting

(08/02/2013)

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) is taking steps to help consumers switch from analog to digital television broadcasting services. It plans to hand out coupons for 22 million households nationwide, which they may use to get discounts when they buy digital set-top boxes and new digital television sets. The value of the coupons depends on the digital signal bidding on 24 commercial channels. The auction rules for the 24 digital channels have been approved by NBTC's Broadcasting Committee, and the digital television auction is expected to take place between July and August 2013, before licenses for commercial channels are issued. According to NBTC Vice Chairman Colonel Natee Sukonrat, NBTC is likely to issue licenses for 12 public service channels in May, while licenses for 12 community service channels will be issued in late 2013. Altogether, NBTC will increase the number of television channels to 48 in the first phase. There are currently six free-to-air channels, namely Channel 3, Channel 5, Channel 7, Modernine TV, NBT (Channel 11), and Thai PBS. On 3 December 2012, NBTC, Modernine TV, NBT, and Channel 5 signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on a trial of digital terrestrial broadcasting service. Under the MOU, they would coordinate in the trial and research and study on transmission of digital television. These agencies also agreed to promote better understanding among the general public about the reasons and advantages of moving to digital broadcasting. The six-month broadcast trial will end in June 2013, when Thailand is expected to officially launch digital terrestrial broadcasting service. NBTC reported to the Cabinet in May 2012 that it had decided to adopt Digital Video Broadcasting – Terrestrial Second Generation, or DVB-T2, as the terrestrial digital television broadcasting standard for Thailand. It attaches great importance to the use of broadcasting frequencies for the maximum benefit, in accordance with Section 47 of the present Constitution of Thailand, which states that transmission frequencies for radio or television broadcasting and telecommunication are national communication resources in the public interest. The effort to facilitate the process of moving to digital broadcasting is a focus of attention among the public. Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office Sansanee Nakpong, who supervises the Government’s media policy, stressed the importance of television broadcasting in providing people with news and information, which they may use to develop their quality of life and help creare a fair and equal society. She pointed out that Thailand is in its transition toward digital broadcasting. In this regard, the Government is ready to support the operations of NBTC, which is the single regulatory body for broadcasting and telecommunications, during this significant change in the history of the country’s broadcasting service.