Source: Bangkok Post, ThailandAug.儲存倉 12--The telecommunication regulator insists the digital-TV auction will happen as scheduled in October and is confident there will not be delays similar to the third-generation (3G) bidding.Col Natee Sukonrat, head of the broadcasting committee of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), said it may be delayed until November, depending on the process, but the beginning of the auction will proceed as scheduled.The confirmation was made to ease speculation that the auction will be postponed to December.Some potential bidders also complained the draft regulation on commercial channels has been frequently amended, confusing operators worried about running afoul of the rules.The draft regulation on commercial channels for the digital-TV auction was approved by the NBTC board last month and is awaiting an announcement in the Royal Gazette this week.Then the information memorandum (IM) for each channel category will be announced to interested applicants.The auction for each channel will be organised on separate days."At least 60% of Thais will be able to watch 30 digital TV channels, which are set for their first broadcast on Dec 5," said Col Natee.Network rental costs are being revised for the four network providers _ MCOT Plc, the Royal Thai Army, the Public Relations Department and Thai PBS _ and will be announced to the public by the month's end.The bidding invitation will cost 1 m迷你倉沙田llion baht, which should guarantee the upcoming auctions are not delayed, said Col Natee.Only bidders have the right to ask the court to issue an auction injunction.In 2010, Col Natee was a member of the National Telecommunications Commission and head of the 3G auction that year.The Administrative Court ruled in favour of CAT Telecom's call for an injunction to suspend the bidding of 3G licences.In a related development, standard-definition (SD) digital-TV channels can be upgraded to high definition (HD) once MPEG-5 (MP5) technology is ready. The MP5 video compression technology will increase the efficiency of frequency usage from the existing MP4 format.MP5 technology is projected to arrive over the next 2-5 years.The NBTC cannot estimate how many HD channels will be allocated, but the global trend is towards HDTV.To upgrade SD channels to HD, the NBTC will hold an auction for each category.A maximum of 24 bidders can take part in phase two of the digital-TV auction after receiving licences in phase one."Having 24 commercial digital TV channels in Thailand is appropriate, apart from community and public services, bringing the total to 48," said Col Natee.Bidders will be instructed on channel improvements through an IM for each category: news, SD variety and HD variety.Copyright: ___ (c)2013 the Bangkok Post (Bangkok, Thailand) Visit the Bangkok Post (Bangkok, Thailand) at .bangkokpost.com Distributed by MCT Information Services迷你倉價錢
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