After only a month in office, the five new members of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) board -- most of whom are seen as novices in their regulatory roles -- are grappling with critical challenges, including oversight on the planned merger of True Corporation and Total Access Communication (DTAC) and a lack of commissioners in the fields directly involved with the merger.
The five sitting commissioners began their terms on April 20. Despite being able to function, the board still lacks two members in the fields of law and telecommunications, which could have important ramifications for any decisions governing the merger deal.
