Digital network providers join for installation of transmitters
To cope with the delay in the roll-out of MCOT and the Public Relations Department's transmission networks for terrestrial-based digital television, the other two network providers - the Army and Thai Public Broadcasting Service - will team up with them t
"A smooth transition to the era of digital terrestrial TV must be in place, particularly in the beginning stages," Supinya Klangnarong, a member of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, said yesterday after a meeting of the NBTC and all 24 digital TV channels and all four network providers.
MCOT, a state enterprise, and the PRD, a government agency, had to put their investment plans on hold after the junta seized power in May.
Thairath TV, Voice TV and Springnews TV are the customers for MCOT’s network service.
Supinya said both network operators asked the watchdog to relax the conditions and rules governing holders of licences to run transmission networks for digital TV to ensure that they extend their coverage as promised.
MCOT said it might fall behind schedule for the second phase, while the PRD has installed only two broadcasting sites, leaving the remaining ones still pending.
The Army and Thai PBS are on schedule. The Army has installed transmitters at 19 main broadcasting sites and put up one relay tower, while Thai PBS has transmitters at 22 main sites and one relay tower.
Mongkon Leelatum, deputy director-general of Thai PBS, said his organisation would work with MCOT, the PRD and the Army to solve this problem. For example, Thai PBS will install digital TV transmitters at two MCOT broadcasting towers in Prachuap Khiri Khan and Lampang to cover surrounding areas.
A possible solution that could be discussed is for the PRD to allocate temporarily some of its unused bandwidth for MCOT’s broadcasting clients. MCOT might also have to lease transmitters from either the Army or Thai PBS to help its clients reach a wider audience until its own network can be completed.
Such cooperation might result in more flexible treatment from the regulator. Supinya said this infrastructure-sharing arrangement would be a stopgap measure in the transition to digital TV.
"If they cannot reach a proper solution to overcome this obstacle, my committee might consider offering a chance to a private company to become a new digital TV network provider," she said.
However, that would be the last choice in this situation, she said.
Adisak Limprungpatanakij, president of Nation Broadcasting Corporation, the operator of Nation TV, said the regulator should inspect digital-TV quality in some areas to make sure it was available for viewers.
