Thai TVs and Radios to Switch to Digital System in 2015

Thailand is planing to switch its TVs and radios to a digital system in 2015, and the scheme for the plan will be drafted by May this year.

Authorities from the Office of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission or ONBTC, Pana Thongmeearkom said after conducting a public hearing that the commission will consult with relevant authorities before drafting the model scheme for the transformation of Thai television and radio systems.

Pana said the model scheme is expected to be drafted by May this year.

The plan will make sure it does not violate consumer rights, piracy, obscenity, and that it does not aggravate political activities.

Pana explained that Thailand is planning to transform its television and radio systems from an analogue system to a digital system by 2015, to keep up with the evolving technologies.

The change is expected to reach the whole spectrum of citizens and will help save up to 10 percent more energy than the current system.

The chairman of ONBTC, Prasit Prapinmongkolkarn admitted that the change of systems is new for Thailand and will require funding.

He will consult with entrepreneurs regarding the problems and adjustment plans next week.

The initial plan is to run a trial period of three existing digital systems, which are ASTC from North America, DVB from Europe, and ISDB from Japan.

The trial period will begin this year,when authorities will compare and contrast to determine the best results, which will then be implemented on Thai TV and radio systems.


-- Tan Network 2011-02-28



Our note - lets hope they decide to go DVB - we can only hope