The Office of the Thailand’s National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) (Photo:thethaiger.com) Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand’s National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has announced plans to increase Internet connectivity for impoverished communities in Bangkok.
The initiative alsoincludes the provision of WiFi service for districts nationwide. This move forms part of theNBTC’s fourth universal service obligation (USO) plan.
In line with the draft USO4.0 scheme, adjustments have been made to some definitions of the USO projectsto accommodate additional dimensions.
According to NBTCCommissioner Somphop Purivigraipong, the internet for slum communities and WiFifor districts are digital tools intended to enhance the daily life of theunderprivileged. The NBTC office is collaborating with the SocialDevelopment and Human Security Ministry to ascertain the definition of sociallyvulnerable groups.
Somphop revealed that the NBTCwill need to consult with the Subdistrict Administrative Organisation to gaugethe exact WiFi demand in regions nationwide. Furthermore, discussions may beneeded with telecom operators regarding the facilitation of support for slumdwellers and the economically disadvantaged in districts across the country.
Somphop also noted that the NBTC’s aim is not to execute the project solely through its USO fundbut to possibly seek support from private operators, particularly for mobileservices and data usage.
Currently, telecom licensees are required to pay an annual USO feeto the NBTC, calculated at 2.5% of their total revenue.
He said that telecom operators, tasked with theoperation of USO projects under NBTC standards and objectives, could lessentheir annual USO fees payable to the NBTC by offsetting investment expensesfrom the USO fee.
The NBTC is now preparingto implement the USO 4.0 plan, slated to commence next year. The initiative isexpected to address the digital divide from 2024 to 2026, spanning a normaloperational period of three years for the USO plan./.
