MCOT, PRD may be fined over transmitter delays
MCOT and the Public Relations Department (PRD) face fines if they cannot install all their digital-TV transmitters on time, the broadcasting regulator said.
The broadcasting committee of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission issued the warning yesterday in a bid to find a solution to a problem that is affecting the country’s transition to the era of terrestrial-based digital television.
In a statement, the NBTC said it would issue a warning to both state media enterprises to inform them that they had 60 days to solve the problem.
If they cannot install all transmitters in line with their second-phase plans, they will be fined under an administrative action by the commission.
They could be fined about Bt20,000 for each day the deadline is not met multiplied by the number of incomplete broadcast sites.
According to NBTC licensing regulations, the holders of licences to operate a network to transmit
terrestrial-based digital television must be able to cover at least 60 per cent of all households in the Kingdom in the second year of the network expansion, which started in August.
MCOT currently provides use of its network to Thairath TV, Springnews TV and Voice TV.
The PRD has no clients so far but its network service is expected to be used by some public digital-TV channels.
MCOT admitted that a delay was unavoidable.
The government approved Bt1.4 billion for MCOT’s network roll-out last month.
MCOT has said it will announce a public procurement for new transmitters as soon as possible and put it to tender. The winner of the bid will provide the transmitters and after-sales service for the state enterprise.
The PRD faces similar delays as the investment in its transmission network was pending after the seizure of power by the military.
