Six telecom companies have petitioned Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha against City Hall's decision to lease underground cable conduits to True Corporation, claiming it will "destroy fair competition" in the internet and cable communications industry.
They want the premier to ensure all operators are able to access the 20-billion-baht network of pipelines which will cover 2,450 kilometres beneath the capital.
The city's business arm, Krungthep Thakakom Co (KT), will invest in and oversee the project, which aims to get rid of the eyesore and stop accidents caused by overhead telecom and broadcast cables, which share the same space with power lines. The six companies, led by Advanced Wireless Network Co (AWN), disagree with KT's decision to grant True the lease after it was the only one of 25 telecommunications companies to discuss the deal with KT.
Not only will this give True an edge over competitors and raise concerns over distorted competition, but "it will also eventually affect people", said Wirawat Kiattiphongthawon, chief business relation executive of Advanced Info Service, AWN's mother company.
The government should also reconsider other potential changes to the underground cable project, such as only removing the overhead cables in some areas in order to save on costs and prevent accidents caused by a frequent need to open the underground pipelines, he said.
"Removing all cables underground is like shifting problems to another place," Mr Wirawat said. He believes that a better solution to the problem is to implement a cable management system, rather than moving the cables underground.
Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang yesterday said he wondered why the 24 other companies invited to lease the conduits "did not show interest".
"I think they are misleading people and speaking only about what they plan to do," Pol Gen Aswin said. "Why didn't they join us? We did invite them."
KT board chairman Kittisak Aramrueang said the other companies would only have the right to collectively lease 20% of the pipelines, while the majority of the network would go to True. "No contracts have been signed yet," he said.