Certainly, everybody is aware of a future beset by uncertainty, none less so than the seven members of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

While the members of several independent organisations - including the Office of the Auditor-General and the National Counter Corruption Commission - have been swept away by the Council for National Security (CNS), the members of the NTC sit firmly in their chairs.

But supposing it changed its mind?

Right now, the CNS wants them there, but what if one day it decided to cock a more favourable ear to CAT Telecom Plc and TOT Plc, which earlier filed a complaint accusing the NTC of lavish spending and unfair practices?

It will come as no surprise that since October 1 no reporters have been able to reach the NTC commissioners or any of their staff for comment.

We also learn that the commissioners have agreed not to make any overseas trips till the sky is clearer.

Since the NTC's establishment two years ago, its members have taken turns to visit overseas telecommunications commissions. Every month at least two of them departed Bangkok on such a trip. In effect, the seven commissioners had never been seen together.

Now here they are, all present and correct, and telecom reporters are grinding their teeth at the deafening silence, wishing the commissioners would return to their erstwhile extravagance. At least when some disappeared, the rest used to answer questions. But as I say, everybody feels the earth moving.

achara_d@nationgroup.com