NBTC mulls regulation of OTT platforms

Streaming companies would pay extra fees

The chairman of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) is considering the possible supervision of over-the-top (OTT) platforms in Thailand.

Although major foreign OTT platform providers have already established their operations offices in Thailand and comply with the value-added tax (VAT) payment rules, the regulator is mulling whether these platform operators should pay additional fees to benefit the country’s economy.

Supervision of OTT players would create a level playing field and ensure equal treatment in the telecom industry, said NBTC.

NBTC chairman Dr Sarana Boonbaichaiyapruck said the regulator may consider studying a regulatory framework for OTT players’ utilisation of local telecom operators’ networks, especially mobile phone operators.

However, the…