MCOT's IPTV application fails to pass
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission's telecom committee has rejected MCOT's request to launch Internet protocol TV (IPTV) service on the company's 2.6-gigahertz spectrum, citing its failure to follow correct procedures when it appl
NBTC telecom committee chairman Settapong Malisuwan said it would tell MCOT to reapply for the licence.
According to the commission’s rules, MCOT must provide full details of its IPTV business plan to the telecom committee and also declare to the NBTC’s broadcasting committee the details how it had utilised its 2.6GHz spectrum in the past. Once it has done so, it can resubmit its request to the telecom committee.
Settapong said that under the NBTC’s spectrum management master plan, the 2.6GHz spectrum was to be allocated for telecom service, not broadcasting.
He added that the commission planned to reallocate this spectrum along with the 2.3GHz, 900-megahertz and 1,800MHz spectra via auction soon after it completes the auction of the 2.1GHz spectrum next month.
In the past, MCOT granted some pay-TV operators use of the 2.6GHz spectrum to broadcast programmes using multichannel multipoint distribution service (MMDS), a wireless technology now known as broadband radio service.
The NBTC’s frequency management master plan requires all state agencies to return their radio spectra to the commission within five years, TV spectra within 10 years and telecom spectra within 15 years. This will apply only to spectra not linked to contracts or concessions. Spectra granted by state agencies to private concessionaires, will be returned to the NBTC once the concessions expire.
