Digital TV licence Expiration Requires Further Explanation according to ADTEB
Revised Article:
Hold on to your remote controls, folks! The Association of Digital Television Broadcasting (ADTEB) is sounding the alarm on the looming expiration of digital TV licenses, demanding clarity from regulators and insisting that the 3500MHz spectrum remains reserved for broadcasting.
They're calling the shots at a crucial time, with digital TV licenses due to expire in 2029, leaving just 15 out of the initial 24 operators in the game. Sen Chib Jitniyom, who's part of the Senate Committee on Information Technology, Communications, and Telecommunications, recently convened an emergency meeting to discuss the future of Thailand's digital TV industry.
The assembled ADTEB members weren't too pleased about the lack of strategic planning by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC). With no clear policy roadmap in sight, digital TV's future remains uncertain. ADTEB president Suparp Kleekhajai labeled the transition from analog to digital broadcasting a flop, pointing to high costs and questionable regulatory decisions as the culprits.
But it's the 3500MHz spectrum that has everyone's attention. It's a lifeline for satellite TV, but the NBTC's been considering auctioning it off for telecom services. The ADTEB isn't having it, stating that there's plenty of spectrum available already and auctioning off the 3500MHz could leave millions of Thai households without satellite TV.
The ADTEB thinks the solution lies in keeping the 3500 MHz spectrum and urging the NBTC chair to find elegant solutions for the upcoming license expiration. Their wish? A peace offering before 2026 to provide adequate time for preparation.
According to Chib, the panel is squarely behind resolving the licensing issue before 2026 to prevent any last-minute rush-jobs. The stakes are high, and no one wants another digital broadcasting debacle. stay tuned for updates on this developing story!
Enrichment Insights:- The 2025 auction decisions will be pivotal in shaping Thailand’s media and telecom landscape.- The NBTC is advancing auctions for the 2100MHz and 2300MHz bands, while the 850MHz band faces delays.- ADTEB is pushing for clearer policies to prevent disruptions to digital TV during spectrum reallocation.- The NBTC operates under the NRA Act of 2010, mandating spectrum auctions. Historical military interventions and shifting regulations have complicated long-term planning.
- In the wake of the ADTEB's concerns, the upcoming auction of the 2100MHz and 2300MHz bands should consider the impact on the digital TV industry to prevent potential disruptions.
- The agreement between ADTEB and industry leaders in finance and technology insists that the 3500MHz spectrum be reserved for broadcasting, as its current use as a lifeline for satellite TV is crucial for millions of Thai households.
- To avoid another digital broadcasting debacle like the transition from analog to digital, Sen Chib calls for clear policies and strategic planning from the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) on the auction decisions, particularly before 2026.
- If the 3500MHz spectrum is auctioned off for telecom services, the ADTEB warns it could lead to a significant loss of channels for many Thai households, questioning the expiry and reallocation of the spectrum without proper industry consideration.
