National Telecommunications Commission

       As communications technologies continue to evolve and seemingly evaporate large geographical distances, bringing the most remote areas of the world within instantaneous reach, we asmembers of society, can often be guilty of overlooking the important role telecomunication regulating authorities play in ensuring new and existing forms of telecommunications are implemented properly with due consideration for consumers and businesses.
       While scholars and social commentators continue to debate the impact and scope of social changes emerging as part of the globalization phenomenon entailed within telecommunications developments, it seems universally agreed upon that the quantity of information being exchangeed in contemporary society will continue to increase to levels previously unseen in human history. Suc exchanges of information require careful planning from regional and national governments to ensure that powerful telecommunications conglomerates do not unfairly take advantage of consurmers, and that certain channels of communication are reserved to serve the greater public good, rather than just commercial interests. In Thailand, this important responsibility has been entrusted to the national Telecommunications Commission (NTC)-the first independent state telecommunications regulator, headed by Chairman General Choochart Promphrasid.
       Established by Royal proclamation on 1 October, 2004, the NTc operates to meet the goals of the "Master Plan on Telecomunications Development,' as approved by Cabinet on 4 November 1997. The NTC operates withh a substantial range of duties and responsibilities, revolving primarily around the public laws, security, science, culture, technology, consumer protection, and market regualation of all telecommunications services in the Kingdom.
       Under the guidance of a number of the nation's leading media specialists, the NTC handles a wide range of important tasks and duties, including the formation of criteria and categories for telecommunication service providers, the awarding of licenses to telecommunications companies, setting standards and required technical specifications for service operators, the formulation of tariff structures and services, consumer protection measures, as well as a multitude of other responsibilities pertaining to market conditions and regulations.
       Currently, the NTC charter covers all forms of telecommunications technology, including radio, television and internet. New and emerging telecommunications technologies, such as 3G (3rd Generation) and WiMAX, which are yet to be fully implemented in Thailand, are currently the focus of the NTC in 2009 and beyond, with spectrum assignment and licensing for 3G services expected to be completed by the end of 2009.
       According to NTC Commissioner Professor Prasit Prapinmongkolkam, the process of 3G implementation is nearly completed, with all technical details already worked out, except the assignment of the spectrum frequencies, which will be completed by December when an electronic auction is held in which service operators can bid for spectrum bandwidth.
       "We have been working on the 3G system for more than three years, and this year we will hold an auction for the use of the spectrum. We must however, be careful that we reserve some of the spectrum for specific, non-commercial use, because the spectrum is a limited resource and we must consider the interests of the nation and the people. We will carefully consider the bidding companies' intentions when we award use of the spectrums, so as to not only seek financial gains, but other telecommunications benefits to help the people of Thailand," says Prof. Prasit.
       the emergence of WiMAX technology is another concern for the NTC as it offers several advantages to rural areas of Thailand which currently lack sufficient access to internet and other forms of telecommunications technology. WiMAX has excellent potential to help farmers and those who rely on agricultural products for their liveihood as it provides wider, faster network coverage and could offer up-to-date market conditions and prices. Plans are being made by the NTC for WiMAX spectrum allocation, although this will have to be matched by appropriate market demand and development of the WiMAX system, which is currently only operating in a few North American cities.
       For broadband operators, the NTC has established three differant types of licenses which will ensure the correct and most efficient management of internet access for both consumers and service providers, with regulations in place for various types of companies, both big and small, who seek to provide internet access for everyday consumers. Outside of technical matters, one of the foremost duties of the NTC is to oversee the continued preservation of a "free and fair," telecommunications market-that is, a market free from monopolization or unfair competition. Essentially, the NTC acts as the "front desk" for telecommunications complaints regarding unfair treatment of consurmers by operating a free hotline number which receives consumer cases and acts accordingly. In the case of unfair treatment of consumers, the NTC has the power to revoke and suspend telecommunications licenses for infringements of service agreements, and thus works in the interests of the everday citizen who might otherise be forgotten.
       The NTC is also responsible for a number of telecommunications training programmes, human resources development, and informing society of how to best utilize emerging technology systems. As such, a number of workshops are organised by the NTC on issues such as mobile payment management, financiali transaction security, and how new technology can be used to benefit their everday lives, while also warning of the dangers and pitfalls that consumers can fall into. these workshops, known as "Chalard Chai" (smart use) select graduate and undergraduate students from around the country to participate in-depth courses so as to develop a network of greater understanding among Thai people., while also promoting individual research by the students themselves. A number of education scholarships are also offered to students seeking to study abroad, with deserving parties able to study in the USA, France or England, depending on their field of study.