The Follow-up and Evaluation Study of Spectrum Licensing Policy for Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting Trials for Educational Purposes

Abstract

This research aims to monitor and evaluate the spectrum licensing policy for digital terrestrial television broadcasting via mix methods of quantitative and qualitative.  Objectives are 1) to study, monitor and evaluate the NBTC policy on television affairs on “Policy of Spectrum Licensing for Experimental Digital Terrestrial Television Transmissions for Education” and 2) to propose recommendations to NBTC. Sample groups via simple random sampling are 1) the 2,000 public, teachers, and students from 5 regions; and 2) the 40 key informants representing from each stakeholder. Tools are questionnaire and group interview form then analyzed by descriptive, reference statistics and content analysis.

Results are: 1) the overall opinions, needs and expectations regarding the utilization of the spectrum for education found at its high level while the most beneficial groups are parents, educators and students respectively. Its benefits are its applicable and self-learning by their own. The most common problems respectively are equipment, tools, expensive and unstable internet signal, set-top box, lack of public relations, lack of creative and interesting design program; and 2) the proposed recommendations are : the national supportive policy and regulation, the education platform, resources-sharing with tangible budget allocation for all relevant demands in equipment, tools, internet, content and curricula design, personnel empowerment at all levels,  teaching design, media creation, marketing mechanisms and public relations to be more effective in order to reach all target groups and the whole population of Thailand which in line with the tangible supportive policy of under the Act of the Broadcasting and Television Business 2008 to promote knowledge, education, religion, arts and culture, etc.