Intouch Media applies to NBTC for licence to provide IPTV services
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INTOUCH MEDIA, wholly owned by Intouch Holdings, is seeking a licence from the broadcasting regulator to provide Internet protocol TV (IPTV) service.
IThe broadcasting committee of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) will forward Intouch’s application to its new sub-panel screening operators of this type of business. The old screening panel had already approved the company’s request, but the new subcommittee wants to take another look at the application.
Last week Intouch Holdings’ flagship subsidiary, Advanced Info Service, launched its AIS Fibre fibre-optic Internet service, including the IPTV service named AIS Playbox.
It is aiming for about 100,000 subscribers this year.
Somchai Lertsuttiwong, chief executive officer of AIS, said recently that Playbox was borrowing the IPTV licence of Thaicom’s DTV Service Co and would switch to the IPTV licence of Intouch. Intouch has synergised its business units to provide services.
Intouch, formerly known as Shin Corp, is the parent of AIS and Thaicom. It has explored all avenues to expand its TV-broadcasting and digital-content businesses.
Last month Intouch Media set up a 51:49 joint venture with South Korea’s Hyundai Home Shopping Network Corp to launch a home-shopping service in Thailand.
High Shopping Co, which is expected to up and running by November or December, will be part of Intouch’s digital-content business unit, which provides products and services through TVs, mobile devices and the Internet.
The unit leverages the technology of its telecom, satellite, mobile network and high-speed broadband subsidiaries.
Executive chairman Somprasong Boonyachai has said Intouch is still interested in entering the digital-TV business. It has been approached by some digital-TV operators about becoming their partner but it does not want to rush into the business.
Intouch joined the auction for a digital TV licence in 2013, but dropped out after the bids went way beyond what it thought was sensible.
Last September, Intouch Media formed a 50:50 joint venture with Kantana Group to produce and broadcast television programmes. The initial investment was Bt20 million for each partner.
