Digital television broadcasts are coming soon and to help the public migrate, Thai broadcast authorities will hand out coupons to millions of families.
Coupons for THB690 – the amount is still subject to approval – will be sent by post to households which fall in areas that will receive digital signals when they go live on April 1, according to the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission.
The coupons can be used to by converter boxes for legacy televisions or go toward the purchase of a new digital-ready television at Power Buy and 7-Eleven stores.
Digital TV is rolling out in three phases. The first phase will see digital broadcasts hit the urban centers of Bangkok, Nakhon Ratchasima, Chiang Mai and Songkhla by April 1. Phase two will bring the service to Ubon Ratchathani, Surat Thani and Rayong by May 1. Finally, by June 1 it will expand to Sing Buri, Sukhothai, Khon Kaen and Udon Thani.
Roi Et, Chiang Rai, Sakaeo and Nakhon Sawan wil follow in August with Nakhon Srithammarat, Phuket, Trang and Lampang going live in the fall and Sakhon Nakhon, Surin, Nan, Phetchabun and Prachuap Kiri Khan covered by end of the year.
That will bring digital TV service to 70 percent of the nation this year, according to Col. Natee Sukonrat, NBTC broadcasting committee chairman.
More details on the coupon subsidy plan will be released before April, Bangkok Post reported.
Photo: Ingrid Richter
Reader Interactions