NBTC seeks solution to network delays
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BECAUSE MCOT and the Public Relations Department are experiencing delays in the installation of their digital TV transmitters, the broadcasting regulator might negotiate with the PRD on temporarily using some of its unused bandwidth to telecast three TV c
“The delay in the digital TV network roll-out by MCOT and PRD is one of our key concerns in the ongoing transition to the digital terrestrial TV era,” Supinya Klangnarong, a member of the broadcasting committee of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commis-sion (NBTC), said yesterday.
There are four national net-work providers transmitting terrestrial-based digital television. They are the Royal Thai Army, MCOT, the PRD and the Thai Public Broadcasting Service.
Supinya said the network roll-outs by the Army and Thai PBS were going according to plan.
The Army has installed transmitters at 19 main broadcasting sites and one rebroadcast tower, while Thai PBS’ transmitters have been installed at 22 main sites with one rebroadcast tower. Only MCOT and the PRD are still behind schedule. MCOT has installed transmitters at 15 broadcast sites, while the PRD has only two.
MCOT has appealed to the broadcasting committee for relaxation of the terms and conditions related to licensing for digital TV network operators to avoid a possible administrative action against the company due to the delay. In its request, MCOT admitted that its network roll-out plan might face a one-year delay.
Both MCOT and the PRD blamed this year’s military coup as a key reason for their delay.
However, Supinya, who chairs the NBTC’s subcommittee for consumer-rights protection, said MCOT and the PRD needed to show more responsibility in this regard, particularly MCOT, whose network clients are Thairath TV, Springnews TV and Voice TV. Recently, MCOT’s network failed to transmit digital TV signals to homes for eight hours.
To seek a way out of this problem, the NBTC’s subcommittee governing the digital transition led by Natee Sukonrat will today convene with the four network providers.
Supinya said her committee might ask the PRD temporarily to allocate some of its bandwidth, currently unused by any digital terrestrial TV operators, for MCOT’s clients. MCOT might also have to lease transmitters at Thai PBS’ broadcasting sites to help its clients reach a wider audience until its own network can be completed as planned. Such cooperation might result in more flexible treatment from the regulator.
