Most digital TV coupons redeemed in Bangkok
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Second phase of giveaway kicks off
During the first phase of the distribution of digital-TV coupons, Bangkok residents appear to have been the most active in redeeming the vouchers, while the second phase that started yesterday targets an additional 20 provinces with 4 million coupons.
According to the latest data of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, more than 1.36 million vouchers were used to purchase digital TV receivers – either set-top boxes or television sets with built-in digital tuners.
On October 14, the NBTC began the first round of giving away 4.6 million of the Bt690 coupons in 20 provinces.
As of Wednesday, Bangkok was No 1 among the five cities that redeemed the most coupons. Of the 1.36 million redeemed vouchers, 306,622 were used in Bangkok, followed by 130,021 in Udon Thani, 92,368 in Nonthaburi, 90,835 in Pathum Thani and 86,720 in Songkhla.
Identification woes
But NBTC secretary-general Takorn Tantasit revealed that his office found that more than 300,000 of those 1.36 million used digital TV coupons might not be refunded by the dealers and distributors of digital TV receivers because of some problems validating identification documents.
The NBTC yesterday kicked off the second phase of the coupon distribution programme in Ubon Ratchathani, Lamphun, Phitsanulok, Surat Thani, Amnat Charoen, Chon Buri, Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Lop Buri, Maha Sarakham, Chiang Mai, Chanthaburi, Saraburi, Phetchaburi, Pattani, Phichit, Kanchanaburi, Kamphaeng Phet, Kalasin and Prachin Buri provinces.
The commission had initially planned to provide 4 million coupons to these provinces, but the terrestrial-based digital TV network is so far only available in particular areas. Therefore it decided to give out 1.77 coupons in those areas where digital TV reception covers more than 80 per cent.
Takorn said the rest of the coupons in this phase would be distributed next month.
