TOT has agreed on a cost structure that private telecommunication service providers and broadcasters have to pay the state enterprise to put their existing overhead cables into TOT's single underground platform.
The cost has been set at 20,000 baht per kilometre, with 10 companies currently that have to pay the rental rate to the TOT, according to TOT's executive vice president Veerachai Lert-assavarat.
TOT's move is part of the government's programme to put 127 kilometres of overhead power lines and cables underground, with a total budget of 51.7 billion baht.
The first phase of the plan, grouping all existing overhead power, telecommunication and broadcasting cables into a single underground platform beneath 39 roads in Bangkok, Samut Prakan and Nonthaburi, is scheduled to be completed in 2020 – five years ahead of the original schedule.
The government has urged all related state agencies to speed up the first phase in order to serve the digital economy initiative, as well as eliminate clutter of overhead cables supporting Bangkok as Asean metropolis.
Mr Veerachai said MEA is in charge of putting all existing overhead power lines to be buries underground, requiring an investment of 48.7 billion baht.
In July, Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA), signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the development of the project with TOT, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and the Royal Thai Police.
TOT is in charge of constructing an underground system that will contain all existing telecom and broadcasting cables in the single underground platform.
Mr Veerachai said Ratchawithi Road is the first road where the cables will be inserted underground, and all electric poles are expected to be completely removed within the next two weeks, when all telecom companies are due to start paying the rental rate to the TOT.
NBTC secretary-general Takorn Tantasith said NBTC is drafting regulation to support the management of the underground platform. The regulation will govern telecom service operators to move all telecom cables underground.
Yesterday, MEA held a press conference to showcase the demolition of its electricity poles on Ratchawithi Road, the first road among 39 roads of the programme outlined in the MoU.
MEA governor Somchai Roadrungwasinkul said the removal of all overhead lines and electric poles on Rajvithi Road is nearly complete.
"We are about to achieve the goal, thank to good collaboration of the four relevant agencies," said Mr Somchai, adding the MEA is accelerating all process in order to put all lines underground as the government scheduled.
MEA expected to put all overhead lines underground on another five major road in Bangkok within this year, including Ratchaprarop, Sri Ayudhaya, Yothi, Petchaburi and Rama I.