NBTC panel to issue order on channel numbering
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THE broadcasting regulator will set a single standard for the order in which channel numbers are assigned on cable and satellite TV platforms.
Yesterday, all five members of the broadcasting committee of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) approved in principle the issuing of an administrative order to all cable and satellite TV operators to comply strictly with its “must carry” rule.
According to the upcoming edict, all cable and satellite operators must assign channel numbers 11 to 22 to the public-service digital stations and numbers 23 to 46 to the commercial digital stations.
Acting NBTC deputy secretary-general Sombat Leelapata said the broadcasting committee would set up a focus group for key broadcasters on all platforms to brainstorm on this matter before officially issuing the order.
Privileges granted
The broadcasting committee had found that some cable and satellite TV providers had granted privileges to some terrestrial-based digital stations by placing them between channel numbers 1 and 10.
“This is unfair to other digital TV operators and also creates confusion among audiences,” he said.
The broadcasting committee also agreed to offer more flexibility for cable TV operators, which had limited capacity to carry all of the digital terrestrial channels.
Sombat said the committee understood that this limitation existed for some small cable TV operators. Therefore, it might allow those operators to carry only the 12 public-service digital channels. However, if they want to carry any of the 24 commercial digital channels, they must take all of them.
The broadcasting committee also granted 15-year licences to Advance Wireless Network and CDN Plus as national providers of IPTV (Internet protocol television) services. Both companies will be able to provide IPTV service via fibre-optics and wireless connections.
