Bangkok: The NBTC office is advocating for a change in mobile phone pricing guidelines, allowing operators to release ‘Blue Flag packages’ at prices lower than the original cap of 240 baht per month to ensure access to quality basic services for users.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Trirat Viriyasirikul, Deputy Secretary-General and Acting Secretary-General of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, disclosed that 86 agendas were submitted for the NBTC meeting, with 25 considered. Among the key items was Agenda Item 4.44, which focuses on revising the structure of domestic mobile phone service rates. This is part of a broader effort to align service rates with market conditions, competition, and costs, thereby offering consumers more choices.
Mr. Trirat highlighted the need to improve supervision of mobile phone service rates, initially enforced in 2020, to better reflect the evolving telecommunications landscape. The proposed adjustment aims to make the Blue Flag package cheaper by setting usage rights that focus on voice and mobile internet services, excluding SMS and MMS.
The reduced service fee is calculated based on average revenue per user per month from both postpaid and prepaid services, providing users with more affordable options for essential services like calls and mobile internet. The NBTC has also suggested that service providers offer at least two types of initial sales promotion programs: Pay Per Use and Flat Rate, to ensure fair competition and consumer benefit.
Mr. Trirat stated that this review of the mobile phone tariff structure considers the real costs to service providers and seeks to enhance transparency in pricing. Packages will be designed to cater to diverse user needs amid technological changes, including tariffs based on package usage rights and additional charges for exceeding these rights. The next step involves drafting an announcement in line with the approved guidelines for NBTC submission.
Additionally, Agenda Item 5.19 addressed FM frequency licenses for local business broadcasting, with 2,286 applications received. The NBTC qualified 2,237 applicants for auction participation and identified 44 as ineligible, while 5 applicants withdrew. The NBTC also approved a transition plan for radio broadcasting, with current licenses set to expire by the end of 2025 and new licenses commencing in 2026.