To be controlled: YouTube & other internet video

YouTube, Netflix & other internet video is broadcasting Colonel Natee decides, so must be registered, regulated & controlled.

TV, VIDEO & THE INTERNET

To be controlled: YouTube & other internet video

31/05/2017
Komsan Tortermvasana

YouTube appears to be the next on the NBTC's "try to regulate and control" list.

The NBTC is Thailand's broadcasting and telecommunications regulator, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC).

TRACK RECORD OF FAILED ATTEMPTS AT CENSORSHIP & SURVEILLANCE

It is worth noting that the NBTC failed in its last attempt at internet regulation and control when it issued ultimatums and threatened Facebook with closure (see here & here).

Then the police jumped in, threatening to watch what every Thai was reading on the internet (see here).

Finally, this week people began to ask how the NBTC strayed so far from its core task of allocating the country's airwaves and became the national center for censorship, fingerprints and surveillance as well (see here).

WHAT IS OVER THE TOP (OTT) CONTENT? 

To cut through the difficult to understand terminology, here are some definitions.

Over the top (OTT) content means movies, TV, video and other media content viewed over the internet rather then through a cable TV or satellite TV provider (see here & here).

This includes YouTube, Line TV, YouTube, some digital TV channels that broadcast their programmes via OTT platforms such as Channels 3, 7 and 8 and the Workpoint channel, all of which derive revenue by advertising.

This also includes Netflix, Iflix, Hollywood HDTV, PrimeTime, AIS Play and TrueVisions Anywhere, all of which derive revenue from monthly payments and pay-on-demand.

It is worth noting that the tens of millions of tourists who come to Thailand every year also consume video content from these sources as well as Thai citizens, so any attempt at control could have a negative impact on Thailand's tourism industry.

100 MOST POPULAR YOUTUBERS & FACEBOOKERS CALLED INTO HEARINGS

The NBTC held a forum for all parties related to the OTT platform last month to hear out opinions before concluding final regulatory measures for OTT providers.

The regulator called the 100 most popular YouTubers to participate in the hearing on June 6, followed by the top 100 Facebook content providers on June 7.

MOST POPULAR TO GO ON CONTROL LIST

The broadcasting regulator is considering putting the top 100 content providers for over-the-top (OTT) service platforms on a control list, as officials strive to establish industry standards and a level playing field.

Popular content providers on OTT platforms such as Facebook and YouTube, with more than 1 million followers or subscriptions are categorised as the top 100 accounts.

MUST CONTROL BECAUSE IT INFLUENCES PUBLIC OPINION

The plan is part of a regulatory policy by the NBTC, under which measures will be imposed on the local OTT market to curb internet content that is difficult to regulate.

This is according to Colonel Natee Sukonrat, chairman of NBTC's broadcasting committee.

"The 100 most popular content providers or users on social media who influence public opinion and perception will have to be reined in," he said.

The NBTC is on the verge of drafting a regulatory framework to govern streaming video-on-demand services on OTT platforms.

MOST POPULAR IN SOCIAL MEDIA MAY HAVE TO APPLY FOR OPERATING LICENSE

Col Natee said it is too early to identify the top 100 popular content providers or users on social media:

"We need to ask them [OTTs] to register their companies with the NBTC, and OTTs may need to apply for operating licences."

A clearer picture of the regulatory framework for OTT is expected over the next two weeks, and take effect by August this year.

YOUTUBE IS BROADCASTING, SO MUST BE REGULATED

Col Natee said the NBTC's board in April resolved that video-on-demand from OTT operators falls into the category of broadcast business.

The board approved the setting up of a subcommittee to determine regulatory policy.

Yesterday, Col Natee said OTT is clearly categorised by the subcommittee as a TV broadcasting service that does not use frequencies, similar to existing cable TV and satellite TV services.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1259538/nbtc-considers-ott-control-options

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