2/10/2012: The broadcasting committee of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) yesterday approved a digital plan to grant four licences for commercial high-definition (HD) channels next March.
Committee chairman Col Natee Sukonrat said the panel also agreed to issue 20 licences for commercial standard-definition channels.
Under the master plan governing digital broadcasting, the NBTC will issue 12 licences for public channels by year-end and another 12 for community purposes next year.
The committee previously approved the 2012-16 draft roadmap taking the broadcast industry into the digital era.
There are 60 digital terrestrial TV channels divided into three groups: 36 channels for commercial TV and 12 each for public and community service.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/economics/315033/four-hd-licences-up-for-bid