The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) will allow satellite and cable television operators to apply for non-frequency broadcasting licences today.
The licences are scheduled to be granted to qualified applicants this month, said Col Natee Sukonrat, chairman of the NBTC's broadcasting committee.
The non-frequency broadcasting licences will be divided into three types: facility provider, infrastructure and channel operator. The licences will be offered for 14-15 years.
Companies who receive licences are strictly required to comply with NBTC's broadcasting requirements or the licences will be revoked.
Operators that do not apply for a licence may be forced to abandon their business in the future, said Col Natee.
There are some 500 satellite TV channels operating on 20 satellite networks across country. There are 500 cable TV operators running on 900 networks.
Col Natee said the licences are aimed at reorganising non-frequency broadcasting services into a standard system.
Companies can apply for the licences at a two-day workshop at the Government Complex on Chaeng Watthana Road starting today. After that, they can apply with the NBTC at its headquarters.
Col Natee said the licences does not cover the existing free TV operators including Thai PBS and pay-TV operator TrueVisions, which broadcast on frequency under a concession system.
Thai PBS operates under a special law and started broadcasting before the NBTC was set up.