Thailand's auction for digital TV licences expected in coming months

BANGKOK, November 18 (TNA) - Thailand's auction for digital TV licences is expected to be organized in either mid-December 2013 or in mid-January 2014. Colonel Natee Sukonrat, Chairman of the Broadcasting and Television Committee, under the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), told journalists on Monday, after the committee's latest meeting, that his panel has already examined the qualifications of 80 per cent of contenders vying for digital television licences and found no irregularities. Colonel Natee said that the examination will be concluded within this month or early next month and the auction for digital TV licences should take place either mid next month or mid next January. In response to a sermon by Supachai Srila, chairman of the House committee on political development, mass communication and public participation, for him to be inquired about matters concerning the digital TV auction, namely relevant laws, criteria, auction methods, conditions, pros and cons of the auction, compared with the provision of frequency concessions, and impacts on consumers and operators, Colonel Natee noted that he is ready to testify before the House committee on November 20. Colonel Natee insisted that there will not be any impact on the auction from House committee's sermon, because the NBTC has completely complied with laws. The NBTC’s broadcasting committee, meanwhile, also approved two licences for MCOT Public Company Limited (MCOT), a most established Thai media firm, to establish a network of 31 stations and one licence for TOT Public Company Limited to set up a network of 48 stations to be the providers of digital TV network services. Besides, the broadcasting committee resolved that the auction date will be announced seven days in advance and a contender can field up to five representatives to join the auction of each category of TV licences, but the names of such representatives must be reported to the NBTC five days before the auction.(TNA)