NBTC fails to fix MCOT sum

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) board yesterday failed to reach a resolution on how much state-owned broadcaster MCOT would be compensated after its occupied 2600-megahertz spectrum range was recalled for 5G licence auction in February.

Three compensation options — 1.01 billion baht, 3.23 billion and 4.27 billion — were raised during the board meeting.

Of the six board members, two voted for 3.23 billion and another two for 4.27 billion. One abstained and another left before voting.

The board also had to decide whether the NBTC will give the sum only to MCOT, which would later divide it with its technology partner Playwork, or split the amount in half before giving it to each of them. The board had the same vote for this resolution.

MCOT entered an agreement with Playwork to run a pay TV service on the 2600MHz range in 2010. The NBTC only granted permission for them to operate in 2017.

The NBTC said the board would deliver a final resolution on the issues in the next meeting in June.

NBTC secretary-general Takorn Tantasith said the board called in MCOT president Kematat Paladesh, asking him about the compensation the company planned to pass on to Playwork.

However, Mr Kematat explained MCOT has not yet come up with a resolution on the matter, saying it needs the NBTC to determine the compensation first.

One of the board members, Col Natee Sukonrat, walked out before voting, stating MCOT should have a clear plan for the amount of compensation it would pass on to Playwork.

Another board member, Prawit Leesathapornwongsa, abstained from voting.

“The board failed to reach a final decision on the two critical issues related to the compensation,” said Mr Takorn said.

COMPENSATION BASIS

He said the first option of 1.01 billion baht was calculated based on a three-year period between 2019 when the spectrum was recalled and 2022 when MCOT’s spectrum concession expires.

The second choice of 3.23 billion baht in compensation is based on a period of six years and five months.

It counts from 2012 when the NBTC ironed out a spectrum management master plan to 2015 when the plan was put into effect, plus the three years from the first option.

The third of 4.27 billion takes into account eight years and six months. It counts from 2012 when the master plan was rolled out to 2017 when MCOT was granted permission to run Pay TV service, plus another three years from the first option.

“In the next meeting of the NBTC board, it should reach a final decision on the issues because a long time has passed,” said Mr Takorn.

PAYMENT EXTENSION

The board yesterday also resolved to extend the payment term of annual licence fees for telecom and broadcasting companies to ease financial hardships the firms are enduring, particularly during the pandemic.

Companies that have an annual revenue of more than 1 billion baht are allowed to pay the first half of fees by June 15 and the rest by Aug 15, said Mr Takorn.

A total of 12 telecom and nine broadcasting companies have annual revenue of more than 1 billion baht, he said.

Those with less than 1 billion baht in revenue can make the whole payment by Aug 15.

Previously, telecom and broadcasting operators had to pay annual licence fees by May 29.

The board also resolved to stop paying bonuses to NBTC officials in 2020 to help the government deal with the crisis, saying it sets a precedent for other agencies to follow.

‘‘ The board failed to reach a final decision on the two critical issues related to compensation. TAKORN TANTASITH Secretary-general, NBTC