Ministry, NTC on satellite panel

The Information and Communications Technology Ministry and the National Telecommunications Commission will create a joint committee to step up their coordination on national satellite policy and relevant regulations.

ICT Minister Ranongruk Suwanchawee said after meeting with the NTC yesterday the joint panel would also conduct a feasibility study into a Thai company leasing a foreign satellite to provide services to local customers and which regulations would govern the firm.

NTC secretary-general Suranan Wongvithayakamjorn said provision of satellite services in Thailand was subject to many regulations, including those of the Commerce Ministry and Asean agreements.

The lifespan of the Thaicom 2 satellite will expire next year.

The company is studying whether to send up a new satellite to replace it or lease a foreign satellite's transponders to provide continued broadcasting services to Thaicom 2 customers.

The ICT Ministry oversees the concession for the Thaicom satellite, while the NTC regulates the country's telecom sector.

Meanwhile, Ranongruk will give more details to the Cabinet today regarding TOT's plans to provide third-generation (3G) wireless broadband service on a retail basis. Before, the state agency had planned to limit itself to leasing the planned 3G network on a wholesale basis to telecom operators.

The Finance Ministry, which fully owns TOT, is expected to oppose company plans to become a retail 3G-service provider, given that TOT will unlikely be able to compete with telecom operators in the retail market.

TOT will spend Bt24 billion on the 3G-network roll-out nationwide and seek a domestic loan to finance it. It plans to commence first-phase service by year-end.