Consumer groups, scholars not impressed with NBTC's first year, seminar hears

“The NBTC fails to be a price regulator in helping and protecting consumers’ interests,” said Anupap Tiralap, a telecom scholar. “It should stress the determination of cost models for each telecom operator, particularly for voice and data services.”
To mark its first anniversary, the NBTC held a seminar on public expectations of what the watchdog should have accomplished.
Anupap told the forum that he was frustrated with the telecommunications industry that was monopolised by one satellite service provider. The NBTC should ensure fair competition by encouraging other potential operators to take part in this |business.
Isriya Paireepairit, chief researcher at Siam Intelligence Unit Co, said he did not see any big change in the telecom industry after the NBTC was born. The big three – Advanced Info Service, Total Access Communication and True Move – still dominated the market without any movement from mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs).
Mobile-phone users still face difficulties in keeping their phone number when switching networks even though a law has come into force governing number portability.
The plan to expand broadband wireless and landline services remains unclear.
The NBTC has not yet got involved with the preparation of the telecom and broadcasting industry for emergencies through such measures as hotlines, facility sharing and frequencies for public hazards, Isriya said.
To exploit economic integration coming up in 2015, Asean roaming should be developed to help people access affordable telecom services in the region. The NBTC should work with telecom regulators in neighbouring countries to initiate this, he said.
Somkiat Onwimon, executive vice president of satellite TV channel Spring News, said the progress in expanding broadband Internet for public service and in radio spectra reallocation was still too slow.
Boonyuen Siritham, chairman of the Confederation of Consumer Organisations, complained that the consumer’s voice seemed hardly to be heard by the NBTC even though there was a series of public hearings throughout this year.
Pirongrong Ramasoota, assistant professor of communication arts at Chulalongkorn University, said the commission should play a leading role in promoting media literacy nationwide while community radio stations and satellite TV channels are mushrooming with many different types of content.
Scholars also questioned the overspending for public relations and administration at the NBTC. In the first 11 months of this year, the its expenditures reached Bt2.69 billion, of which Bt1.41 billion was for administration.
A Senate panel has extended the deadline by 15 days from December 22 to complete the examination of the background and ethical behaviour of 10 candidates for five seats of the “superboard”, an ad hoc body set up to evaluate the NBTC’s operating results.