NBTC head says technical expertise is secondary for position
National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) secretary-general Takorn Tantasith says his successor does not have to be a technical expert in the industry, as he or she will be backed by knowledgeable and experienced officials to streamline policy.
Mr Takorn is scheduled to leave his post on July 1.
The 59-year-old submitted his resignation letter to NBTC chairman Sukit Khamasundara on Feb 18, requesting to step down on May 18. His term ends officially on Sept 10, when he turns 60.
On April 24, Gen Sukit informed Mr Takorn that he could leave the post on July 1.
According to the NBTC chairman’s reply letter, the NBTC Office needs to have a leader to handle management and routine operations, particularly during the pandemic.
The office is also in the process of considering remedy measures and compensation for the 2600-megahertz range recalled from state-owned broadcaster MCOT, as well as working with related parties to conduct a feasibility study for the auction of the 3500MHz band, which is currently occupied by Thaicom, a SET-listed satellite service provider.
“I don’t dwell on the position or a role in the organisation,” Mr Takorn said, adding that he intends to step down before his term ends.
CAPABLE WORKFORCE
Mr Takorn brushed aside concerns about who would become the new NBTC secretary-general.
“Officials and the management team at the NBTC office are knowledgeable with extensive experience and skills in both broadcasting and telecommunication fields following decades of work, training and study trips,” he said.
More than 100 scholarship students are also working for the NBTC with academic backgrounds in economics, law, telecom, satellite and media.
Mr Takorn started working at the NBTC in 2005 as a specialist. He was made the secretary-general of the agency in January 2012. He was reappointed to the position in late 2016.
Without a background in telecom and broadcasting, he said he gained knowledge through advice and discussion with officials who are specialists in each sector.
He said technical knowledge is not the most important issue for his successor.
“He or she can be supported by specialists and a management team,” Mr Takorn said. “The position requires leadership and courage to move industries forward in the face of opposition.”
WORK CONTINUITY
The recruitment of new NBTC commissioners has yet to get off the ground because a draft bill governing the candidate selection committee and qualifications of applicants is still under consideration by the lower house.
Mr Takorn said the new NBTC board must press ahead with policies and regulations deemed beneficial to the public and industries in the greater picture.
When forming regulatory frameworks, a difference of opinions is inevitable, he said.
“We cannot wait for 100% support to make a decision,” Mr Takorn said.
According to him, some existing NBTC projects need to be pushed ahead, including a plan to put overhead cables underground. The plan is expected to be complete within two years.
The NBTC and Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry plan to conduct a study of the 3500MHz range auction. Thaicom has a concession contract to make use of the range until September 2021.
The band is known to be a popular range for 5G adoption, particularly in Europe.
Mr Takorn said the 3500MHz auction should be done through other methods, such as a beauty contest auction, in which the auctioneer does not specify the deciding criteria to pick the winning bidder.
The method could help promote innovation, he said.