Group submits views on NBTC bill to Senate

The Telecommunications Association of Thailand yesterday submitted to the Senate's communications committee its opinion on the draft law governing the establishment of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC).

The association expressed views on many sections of the bill, including section 7 (1), which states that the age of qualified NBTC candidates must not below 30 years and not exceed 60.

It considers the maximum age should be not less than 40 years, given that a person aged 30 might not have enough experience to regulate the telecom and broadcasting industries.

The association also disagrees with section 38 of the draft, which states that those wanting to use a telecom spectrum can only seek one through the auction process to be determined by the NBTC.

It considers the regulator should be allowed to determine spectrum allocation methods on its own, in line with market conditions at the time of licensing.

Many parties have submitted opinions to the Senate, following the bill's passage by the House of Representatives last week.

The bill will next be forwarded for the Senate's consideration.

The TOT and CAT Telecom labour unions on Monday submitted a petition to the upper house opposing section 78 (3) of the bill, which states that, after the NBTC law has been in effect for one year, the two state agencies are required to transfer concession revenue - after deducting some costs - to the NBTC, which will then forward the amount to the state coffers.

The labour unions believe this will negatively affect the financial health of TOT and CAT.