Economics faculty group and law, a total of 87 people, issued a statement calling for “NBTC-KKC” to proactively work towards the merger of TRUE-DTAC from the stage when the two companies are still investigating each other’s business (due diligence) because information may be exchanged, and this merger may affect both consumers and competition in the telecom market. to create costs for new digital technology entrepreneurs
13 Dec. 2021 Group of Economics Faculty And jurisprudence, a total of 87 people jointly issued a statement calling on the telecommunication and competition regulators, such as the Office of the Broadcasting Commission. television business and the National Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) and the Office of the Trade Competition Commission (NRK) have expressed clarity in monitoring the merger of the country’s No. 2 and 3 telecommunication companies, namely True and DTAC recently announced on November 22nd. including requiring both organizations to rush to work proactively in issuing rigorous and sufficient monitoring and supervision measures
In the statement stated that This merger between True and dtac will have an impact on the competition in the telecommunication market. consumers and the country’s economy severely given three reasons:
Firstly, if the two companies merge successfully, there will be only 2 major players in the telecom market, from the original 3 players with a market share of 98 percent, even though the telecom market There are few big players in the original capital. The merger to just two will intensify the concentration level possible in a competitive market.
Therefore, it should seriously affect the level of competition and welfare of consumers. Especially in the situation that most of the people of the country have access to high speed internet with a mobile phone signal. Reduced competition will increase costs and reduce the opportunity to access necessary information. This is to aggravate the digital inequality of the people.
Secondly, mobile phones are classified as basic utilities. An important foundation for economic development including the digital economy and society but on a limited resource base The merger runs the risk of leading to a more monopolistic market structure and raising costs, affecting new digital and technology operators. including other operators that requires digital technology to run business This will affect the motivation for innovation. Competitiveness and entry into the digital economy and society as a whole
lastly The merger method of the two companies that is the merger This amalgamation is at risk of unfair trade practices even during feasibility studies, for example by exchanging insights on prices and terms of service, investment plans, etc., which will affect investors. consumption and competition, even if the final merger does not happen.
The statement said that this type of merger was at risk of such problems as it was the most intense merger as it required the merger of all dimensions into a new company. All assets and business of the two companies are transferred to the new company to be formed and the new company will be listed on the stock exchange instead of the original two companies that will be dissolved. Therefore, information may be exchanged during due diligence.
However, before a group of faculty from law and economics made this request, the NBTC still gave unclear news that they would come to investigate this amalgamation. or not, because by the date of November 24, 2021 in the past The NBTC had 3 people come forward to share their opinions on this issue, with different attitudes.
Suthisak Tantayothin, Deputy Secretary-General of the NBTC for Telecommunication Division It states that the merger case is a negotiation between the Charoen Pokphand Group and Telenor Group to merge True and DTAC Trinet (DTN) parent companies, True Corporation and Total. Access Communication (DTAC), which is currently in the process of jointly reviewing the business (Due Diligence), which True Corp. and Total are not under a license to operate telecommunication businesses of NBTC, which the NBTC is unable to operate but is a company listed on the stock exchange, therefore it is under the supervision of the Kor Kor.
One afternoon, there was still news from the NBTC office by Trairat Wiriyasirikul. Acting for the secretary-general of the NBTC. Said from the clarification of both True Corp. and DTAC that during the joint review of the business, they will inform the progress. The NBTC has been informed from time to time and will continue to operate separately as usual and provide services to customers as usual. Include the format, details and schedule according to the plan. as well as impacts and remedies for potential impacts on users and related markets, and the NBTC will closely monitor and monitor for the benefit of the country and the people.
In addition, Prawit Lisathaphonwongsa, the NBTC Commissioner for Consumer Protection and Promotion of People’s Rights and Freedoms also stated that according to two announcements of the NBTC, namely the announcement on measures to prevent monopoly or unfair competition in the telecommunication business BE 2549 (competition announcement) and announced Measures to regulate business integration in telecommunications (Business merger announcement) empowers the NBTC to consider the merger of the two companies that if this merger meets the criteria of the competition announcement The NBTC has the power to decide whether or not to allow it.
Prawit also stated that The NBTC still has the power to amend the NBTC announcement because the NBTC Act gives the NBTC the power to prescribe anti-monopoly measures or create Injustice in competition and the NBTC still have time to consider improving its announcement as the two companies are still considering the possibility of a merger.
