The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has kicked off a 20-billion-baht project to move all overhead telecom and broadcast cables in the capital underground in two years, with a network of pipelines to be built underneath the entire 2,450 kilometres of roads in the city.
Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang on Tuesday presided over the signing of a memorandum of cooperation on the project between the BMA and the National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission.
Pol Gen Aswin said that Krungthep Thanakom Co, which is City Hall's holding company for public investment projects, will be responsible for pushing ahead with the project and appointing a construction contractor.
Currently, a survey is being conducted to examine road surfaces and pinpoint the locations of underground utilities before excavation and drilling and the laying of pipelines begin in next month, the city governor said.
Removing overhead cables is part of a plan spanning 20 years (2013-2032) to beautify Bangkok, develop a digital economy and bolster network connectivity, Pol Gen Aswin said.
The move came after the National Digital Economy and Society Committee (NDESC), chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Prajin Juntong, approved the BMA's plans to move ahead with the project and the cabinet acknowledged the NDESC resolution on Jan 15.
Manit Techa-aphichoke, managing director of Krungthep Thanakom Co, said that Krungthep Thanakom is still in talks with both local and foreign financial institutions to seek the first portion of the loan, worth about 10 billion baht, for construction costs of the 20-billion-baht project.
The remaining half will come from concession fees paid by True Corporation which has been granted a 30-year concession to manage the project, Mr Manit said.
After 80% of the overhead cables are underground, True Corporation will charge rental fees from telecom and broadcasting operators who use the underground cable system, he said.
The other 20 % of the underground cable pipeline system will be reserved for use by the BMA and other state agencies, Mr Manit said.