Digital TV trials in April

Tech > Gadget

BROADCASTING

Move from analogue scheduled for 2015

Published: 17/02/2012 at 08:11 AM
Newspaper section: Business

Free television stations will start digital broadcasting trials in April, says the vice-chairman of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC).

The NBTC will reserve two channels for high definition TV, said Col Natee Sukonrat.

Under the NBTC's digital TV broadcasting roadmap for 2012-16, the transition from the analogue to digital broadcasting in Thailand will begin in January 2015, and will be completed within 10 years.

Col Natee said the six free TV stations _ Channels 3, 5, 7, 9, NBT and TPBS _ are preparing to start their digital TV broadcasting trials in April.

He said licensing for digital TV will start this month and is expected to continue until the end of 2013.

See also: BEC-Tero moves on Myanmar

The NBTC master plan for frequency management, broadcasting and telecom is currently undergoing the public hearing process.

Under the draft master plan for broadcasting, a digital broadcasting system will be operating within four years after the plan takes effect. At least 80% of households in large provinces must receive a digital signal for radio and TV within five years.

Col Natee said in the first eight years of the digital technology era, users will have to pay 500 to 1,500 baht for a set-top box to watch digital TV channels.

The NBTC expects to issue one or two licences for companies building digital broadcasting infrastructure, a few licences for digital network service providers and up to 50 licences for broadcasters.

The NBTC's commissioners spoke with representatives of the free TV stations at a meeting yesterday. Shifting to digital technology is being done to comply with Section 49 of the Frequency Allocation law.

A digital TV system is needed now that broadcasting consumes more bandwidth.

An NBTC representative said long-term planning provides private operators time to cope with the challenges of the transition.

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About the author

: Writer: Komsan Tortermvasana; Position: Business Reporter

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wantmyony
Post : 559
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Discussion 8 : 20/02/2012 at 09:28 PM8
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Its expensive to go digital from production to transmition to reception. The technology is still new to this part of the world, only country with deep pockets can afford to go digital. Thailand is sparse and very few household can even afford a LCD tv needed to enjoy its benefits. Most household still having the old CRT tv and going digital would not be much different from current method of transmition. Its a excercise to benefits some companies.
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drake
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Discussion 7 : 17/02/2012 at 01:37 PM7
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This is a solution looking for a problem.

Digital TV is NOT a good choice for Thailand where the population can't afford to get new TV or even a tuner box and still has many location with very weak signals (eg, the hills).

Digital TV reception in fringe area with weak signal will not be possible.
In locality where they can get signal with a little fading (snow) now they will get nothing at all with DTV.

Even in Bangkok, without a proper antenna a problem known as 'multi-path' or 'ghosting' will render the reception useless.
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hawaiiman
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Discussion 6 : 17/02/2012 at 10:09 AM6
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4G? I'd be happy with 3G!!
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lazar
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Discussion 5 : 17/02/2012 at 09:32 AM5
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In 13 years time digital TV will be antiquated.
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hillfarang
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Discussion 4 : 17/02/2012 at 09:23 AM4
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Why is Thailand always LAST & takes the LONGEST for these vital technological advances...?
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Renaissance
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Discussion 3 : 17/02/2012 at 09:12 AM3
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The headline made me laugh! By the time the parties involved stop lobbying and squabbling about who will get the licenses and how much of the financial spoils, digital will have become obsolete technology and the rest of the world will be using whatever follows digital. Each time the government changes they will have to start all over again as the new bosses will want the spoils. Also, how is Khun Somchai, the ordinary farmer, going to afford 1,500 Baht for the box, or will the box be the next election promise to buy votes?
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Asian Hand
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Discussion 2 : 17/02/2012 at 09:04 AM2
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That's why they call it Amazing Thailand. Another example of the gridlock that grips this country - sorting out who gets what - stiffling innovation and progress at a pace that leaves this country behind compared to its peers. Myanmar will likely have digital TV before Thailand.
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steveyinasia
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Discussion 1 : 17/02/2012 at 06:39 AM1
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If it s anything like the introduction of 4G, Thailand will be lucky to get digital TV in 50 years
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Digital TV trials in April | Bangkok Post: tech