Thailand legislature passes new frequency act
In this article (5)
Many NLA members also clashed on the composition of the NBTC board which will now be a unified board with 7 members instead of 11 with a telecoms and broadcasting sub-board. Many of the legislators feared that the changes in the criteria such as age and experience would lead to a board filled with career bureaucrats.
The selection process will see a 7-member committee (consisting of the chair of the country’s three courts, chair of the national anti-corruption commission, auditor-general, comptroller-general and governor of the bank of Thailand) to select 14 candidates to be sent to the upper house to vote on.
Earlier there was widespread concern over article 13 that would force the NBTC to comply with the Digital Economy Commission policy and article 19 that gave the DE Commission final say as to whether the NBTC had complied with their plans or not.
The new article 15 also allows for shared use of spectrum while articles 24 and 25 forces the NBTC to consider the greater good rather than just money when holding a spectrum auction.
Questions & Answers
Q.What significant changes have been made to the NBTC board's structure?
What significant changes have been made to the NBTC board's structure?
The NBTC board will now be a unified body consisting of 7 members, a reduction from the previous 11 members which included separate telecoms and broadcasting sub-boards. This new structure aims to streamline its operations.
Q.Who is responsible for selecting the candidates for the new NBTC board?
Who is responsible for selecting the candidates for the new NBTC board?
A 7-member committee is tasked with selecting 14 candidates. This committee comprises the chairs of the country’s three courts, the chair of the national anti-corruption commission, the auditor-general, the comptroller-general, and the governor of the Bank of Thailand.
Q.How will the new legislation change the NBTC's approach to spectrum auctions?
How will the new legislation change the NBTC's approach to spectrum auctions?
Under new articles 24 and 25, the NBTC is now mandated to prioritise the broader public good over simply maximising revenue during spectrum auctions. Article 15 also permits shared use of spectrum.
Q.What concerns did legislators raise regarding the composition of the new board?
What concerns did legislators raise regarding the composition of the new board?
Many legislators expressed worries that the altered criteria for board members, specifically concerning age and experience, could result in a board primarily composed of career bureaucrats, potentially lacking diverse expertise.
Reader pulse
Will unified telecom regulation benefit Thai retailers?
21,749 votes so far