BANGKOK, 17 April 2019 (NNT) -Mobile carriers and digital TV stations seeking extension of payment deadlines, or wishing to return their licenses, have until 10th May to notify the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission.
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has announced guidelines for digital TV stations that wish to return their operating licenses without paying the 5th and 6th installments of their licence fees.
However, the stations must pay the 4th installment within 120 days after this announcement has come into effect, or pay 7.5% annual interest rate if they cannot make the payment.
There are currently 17 stations which have not paid the 4th installment, at the total amount of 3.215 billion baht. There are three stations that have already completed all six payments. The NBTC will refund the last two installments to those three stations, a total of 986 million baht.
Regarding the payment extension for 900 MHz frequency concessions, the three eligible telecommunication operators must inform the NBTC by May 10 if they require payment extensions, and an increase from four installments to 10 installments. The payment extension will be allowed under the condition that the operator must participate in the bidding for the 5G related frequencies.
The NBTC Secretary-General Takorn Tantasith said these assistance measures have received positive feedback from operators. However, the commission is still concerned that the return of 4 – 5 digital TV licenses may affect the broadcast sector.
