Urgent Call for Digital TV and OTT Framework Finalization
Delays in establishing a clear national digital television roadmap and a regulatory framework for Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms are creating significant uncertainty for the public, according to consumer advocacy groups. These prolonged delays risk leaving the country unprepared for the expiration of terrestrial digital TV licenses in 2029, potentially disrupting services and impacting consumer rights amidst a rapidly evolving media landscape.
Potential for ‘Screen Blackout’
Supinya Klangnarong, chairwoman of the TCC subcommittee on communications, telecom, and information technology, warned of a dire outcome if a clear transition plan is not in place by 2029. “If digital TV licences expire in 2029 without a clear transition plan, the worst-case scenario is a screen blackout,” she stated.
The groups highlight that vulnerable populations, including the elderly and low-income households who rely heavily on free-to-air television for news and information, are most at risk. For these demographics, free TV serves as a critical information conduit, not merely entertainment.
Prioritizing Consumer Interests
Ms. Supinya emphasized that radio frequency spectrum is a public resource and that decisions concerning Thailand’s television industry should be driven by consumer interests, not by regulatory inertia. The extended period of uncertainty could inadvertently favor large market players and potentially infringe upon the public’s constitutional right to access information and communication services.
Consumer groups have been actively monitoring the situation, arguing that the absence of a defined roadmap negatively affects not only broadcasters and investors but also the broader public interest.
Addressing OTT Platform Disparities
Concerns are mounting over the rapid proliferation of OTT platforms as a dominant content distribution channel. Domestic operators face extensive regulatory obligations, while many international digital platforms operate with less stringent oversight, creating an uneven playing field.
“We want to see a level playing field,” Ms. Supinya asserted. “Thai operators and foreign platforms should be subject to comparable rules.”
Central to any OTT framework must be robust consumer protection measures. These include safeguards for personal data and privacy rights, effective content moderation, and transparent advertising standards, with particular attention to content accessible to children and young audiences. The groups also stressed the importance of accessible complaint mechanisms and meaningful remedies for consumers who experience harm.
Key Recommendations for Regulators
In a submission to the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), consumer groups presented three core recommendations:
- Publicly finalize and disclose the national TV roadmap to prevent further delays and provide clarity for industry stakeholders, enabling informed investment and technology upgrade planning.
- Establish a clear OTT regulatory framework that promotes fair competition between domestic and international service providers.
- Strengthen consumer protection measures across OTT and digital media services, encompassing privacy and data security, safeguards against harmful content and advertising, and accessible complaint and compensation mechanisms.
Clearer regulations for OTT and digital media are also seen as crucial in combating the rapid spread of false or misleading content online, which poses direct risks to consumers’ right to accurate and reliable information.
Ongoing Industry Uncertainty
Digital TV broadcasters continue to press the NBTC for the finalization of the digital TV roadmap ahead of their license expirations. While the NBTC board has acknowledged its authority to oversee OTT platforms and has considered policy areas like consumer protection against misinformation, a comprehensive TV roadmap and a formal OTT regulatory framework remain unannounced, leaving both consumers and broadcasters uncertain about the future of the sector.
