Thailand: Telecom Company To Launch Satellite Network

10 July 2010

Public listed company  Mass Communications Organization of Thailand (MCOT Plc), the operator of Modernine TV, will spend 500 million bath (US$ 15.4 million) to develop its own satellite TV network and new media by the year-end.

The move into satellite channels comes after the SET-listed and majority state-owned broadcaster began using the Thaicom 5 satellite's global beam transponder.

The Thaicom 5 transponder allows MCOT to transmit its signal to as many as 120 countries, against only 20 countries reached previously via the now-defunct Thaicom 2.

''The Thaicom 5 transponder is very big, and we use only four channels now. So we have many channels left and will rent them to other satellite TV operators,'' said president Tanawat Wansom.

MCOT expects to launch its C-band satellite TV network on Aug 1, with 14 channels to be broadcast free to air.

The first four channels will belong to MCOT (Modernine, MCOT 1, Asean TV and MCOT HD), with the other 10 from other satellite TV operators, including Kantana and a joint venture between Kantana and Major Cineplex, which runs M Channel.

In the second phase, the network would have 30 to 40 channels and would open for subscriptions next year, he said.

MCOT is also deciding whether to resume its plan to develop a broadcasting complex on a 50-rai plot in the Rama IX area. Mr Tanawat said the project would become a new landmark for Bangkok but declined to give further details.

Source: Bangkok Post