The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) expects to receive revenues of about Bt2.8 billion next year, up from an estimated Bt2.4 billion this year.

An NTC source said yesterday that out of next year's total revenues, 60 per cent would be for each of the six commissioners to spend on a public hearing, a study tour abroad and the establishment of an interconnection-charge institute and telecom research and development institute.

The remaining 40 per cent would be earmarked for staff salaries and the purchase of telecom equipment.

NTC chairman Choochart Promphrasid also plans to transfer about Bt500 million of its estimated Bt2.4 billion in revenues this year to the government.

NTC revenues come mainly from licence and phone-number fees. After expenses are met, it must transfer the rest to the government.

Out of the Bt2.4 billion in revenues expected this year, Bt1.3 billion will come from licence fees and the rest from phone-number fees.

The NTC board has given the revenue forecast its final approval.

In the first nine months of this year, the NTC collected regulatory fees amounting to about Bt1.8 billion. Regulatory fees totalled about Bt1.2 billion for all of last year.

Since its establishment almost three years ago, the NTC has awarded 71 licences.

But the NTC has yet to finalise a budget for setting up and supporting the Telecommunications Consumer Protection Institute. It will set and provide the institute's budget every two years.

In its first two years, the institute's budget will be not more than one-eighth and not less than 8 per cent of the NTC's annual revenues. From the third to sixth years, the budget will be not more than one-third and not less than 25 per cent of NTC revenues. From the seventh year onwards, it will be not more than half and not less than 40 per cent of the regulator's income.

Telecom industrialists have questioned the need to spend so much on the institute, but the NTC argues the plan is in line with international practice and that details have yet to be finalised.

Usanee Mongkolporn

The Nation