NBTC okays broadcasting plan

This follows the board’s approval of the spectrum management master plan late last month.
NBTC spokeswoman Supinya Klangnarong said all the master plans, including the one for telecommunications, which is still being developed, were expected to come into effect in the first quarter after public hearings early in the new year.
As part of the broadcasting master plan, the NBTC will compile a database of spectrum holders, completing this task within one year.
It also aims to complete the regulations on granting cable and satellite TV licences within one year and those for other broadcasting licences within three years.
It will also complete anti-monopoly regulations for the broadcasting sector within two years, and set service fees and pricing within two years.
The NBTC will establish a subcommittee responsible for consumer protection and determine the standards, mechanisms and guidelines to protect consumers’ rights.
Also this week, the NBTC’s board concluded that nine radio-programme developers, including GMM Grammy’s subsidiary A-TIME Media, broadcasting on the NBTC Office’s spectra could continue to do so until the office decides to terminate their contracts, in which case they must be informed 30 days in advance.
Those nine radio operators have jointly run programmes with the NBTC Office’s 1 Por Nor radio station on FM 98.5, AM 1035, AM 1089, FM 102, FM 99, AM 1089, FM 89, AM 765 and FM 106.5. The NBTC Office owns all these spectra.
The board declined to approve the proposal of the broadcasting committee that the NBTC Office should recall these nine spectra within six months for reallocation.