The duties of the NBTC
- Develop a master plan for frequency spectrum management, a national frequency allocation table, a master plan for broadcasting and television activities, a master plan for telecommunications, a radio frequency plan, a plan for managing satellite orbit usage rights, and a telecommunications numbering plan, and implement these plans. However, such plans must align with the national policy and plan for digital development for the economy and society.
- Determine the allocation of frequency spectrum among frequencies used for broadcasting, television, radio communications, and telecommunications.
- Define the characteristics and types of broadcasting, television, and telecommunications activities.
- Consider and grant permissions, as well as regulate the use of frequency spectrum and radio communication equipment in the operation of broadcasting, television, telecommunications, or radio communications activities, and establish criteria and methods for such permissions, conditions, or licensing fees. In this regard, the NBTC may delegate the Office of the NBTC to issue permissions on behalf of the NBTC specifically for permissions related to radio communication equipment, in accordance with the criteria and conditions set by the NBTC.
- Establish criteria for the use of frequency spectrum to ensure efficiency and prevent interference, both within the same type of activity and between different types of activities.
- Consider and grant permissions, as well as regulate the operation of broadcasting, television, and telecommunications activities to ensure that users receive high-quality, efficient, fast, accurate, and fair services, and establish criteria and methods for such permissions, conditions, or licensing fees.
- Consider and grant permissions, as well as regulate the use of telecommunications numbers, and establish criteria and methods for such permissions, conditions, or licensing fees.
- Establish criteria and methods for the use or interconnection, as well as criteria and methods for determining usage or interconnection fees for networks in broadcasting, television, and telecommunications activities, both within the same type of activity and between different types of activities, to ensure fairness for users, service providers, and investors, or among telecommunications service providers, with public interest as a priority.
- Determine the structure of fees and service rates for broadcasting, television, and telecommunications activities to ensure fairness for users and service providers, with public interest as a priority.
- Establish technical standards and desirable characteristics for the operation of broadcasting, television, telecommunications, and radio communications activities.
- Establish measures to prevent monopolistic practices or unfair competition in broadcasting, television, and telecommunications activities.
- Establish measures to ensure universal and equitable distribution of telecommunications services in accordance with Section 50.
- Recall unused or inefficiently used frequency spectrum, or reallocate it for more effective use as specified in the plan developed under (1), from those who have been granted permission, in accordance with the criteria, methods, and conditions set by the NBTC. Such conditions must include methods for compensation, reimbursement, or payment for those whose frequency spectrum is recalled, taking into account the rights of those affected in each case.
- Protect the rights and freedoms of the public from exploitation by operators, protect the right to privacy and freedom of individuals in telecommunications, and promote the rights, freedoms, and equality of the public in accessing and utilizing frequency spectrum used in broadcasting, television, and telecommunications activities.
- Act as a state agency responsible for managing international communications with the International Telecommunication Union, other international organizations, foreign governments, and agencies, as per the duties and powers of the NBTC or as assigned by the government. This includes supporting state operations to acquire satellites or satellite orbit usage rights and coordinating frequency spectrum management domestically and internationally, in accordance with the plan developed under (1) and the national policy and plan for digital development for the economy and society.
- Acquire and maintain national rights to satellite orbit usage and ensure that such rights are utilized for the maximum benefit of the nation and its people. If maintaining such rights imposes a burden on the state exceeding the benefits, the NBTC may relinquish such rights as specified in the satellite orbit usage management plan, and report to the Cabinet while publicly announcing detailed reasons. In utilizing satellite orbit usage rights, the NBTC has the authority to establish criteria, methods, and conditions for permissions, fees, exemptions from fees, and related expenses that applicants or licensees must bear. Any remaining fees after deducting permission costs shall be remitted as state revenue.
- Consider and grant permissions, as well as regulate operations under this Act that use foreign satellite channels, and establish criteria and methods for such permissions, conditions, and licensing fees.
- Adjudicate and resolve issues related to frequency spectrum usage that cause interference.
- Monitor, inspect, and provide consultation and recommendations for the operation of broadcasting, television, and telecommunications activities.
- Define the characteristics of mergers, cross-media ownership, or domination of broadcasting and television activities using frequency spectrum, whether among media entities or by other individuals, that may obstruct the public’s freedom to access information or restrict access to diverse information.
- Promote the formation of groups among licensees, program producers, and media professionals involved in broadcasting and television activities into various forms of organizations to establish ethical standards for the profession and self-regulate under such ethical standards.
- Issue regulations or announcements in accordance with Section 58.
- Approve the expenditure budget of the Office of the NBTC, including funds allocated to the fund under Section 52.
- Consider and approve the allocation of funds as proposed by the fund management committee under Section 55.
- Provide information and participate in negotiations or agreements between the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand and foreign governments or international organizations regarding frequency spectrum management, broadcasting, television, telecommunications, or related activities.
- Provide information related to the operations of the NBTC and licensed operators, particularly regarding digital matters, as requested by the Office of the National Digital Economy and Society Commission for use in analyzing and developing the national policy and plan for digital development for the economy and society.
- Propose to the Cabinet the enactment, amendment, or repeal of laws related to frequency spectrum allocation and other operations concerning frequency spectrum, broadcasting, television, and telecommunications.
- Issue regulations, announcements, or orders related to the duties and powers of the NBTC.
- Perform any other actions as stipulated in this Act or other laws.
Origin :The Act on the Organization for Allocation of Radio Frequency and the Regulation of Broadcasting and Telecommunications Businesses B.E. 2553
