Thai Think Tank Says TRUE-DTAC Merger May Hurt Customers

[snoop1130]

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Thailand Development Research Institute Foundation (TDRI) has indicated that the planned merging of telco giants TRUE Corporation and Total Access Communication (DTAC) would further eliminate competition and ultimately hurt consumers.

 

The think tank recommended that the merger not move forward. It added that if DTAC wants to exit the market, it should sell its business to companies that are not one of the two remaining key players comprising TRUE and Advanced Info Service (AIS).

 

According to TDRI, the number of main telecommunication service providers in Thailand should be no less than three, in order to encourage competition.

 

The agency nevertheless suggested that the merger could still happen, under the condition that licenses to operate some of its frequencies be returned to encourage other operators to step in. Another option would be to offer users other choices of service providers by means of Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs). An MVNO is a mobile operator that lacks its own cellular network and rents from other networks to provide services.

 

TDRI further noted that shares of all three telcos surged following news of the merger, reflecting market sentiment that favors operators but limits choices for consumers, retailers and innovators.

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2022-02-22

 

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[madmitch]

19 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

would further eliminate competition and ultimately hurt consumers.

Since when has this been a factor in Thai big business thinking?

[zzaa09]

20 minutes ago, madmitch said:

Since when has this been a factor in Thai big business thinking?

Or any corporate/government thought process anywhere in the world. 

[spermwhale]

In most developed countries a merger of this magnitude that concentrates market power in the hands of two competitors would face tough scrutiny by regulators. 

[hotchilli]

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

According to TDRI, the number of main telecommunication service providers in Thailand should be no less than three, in order to encourage competition.

They all scam together for profits, competition that benefits the consumer are virtually non-existent.

[ozimoron]

Not really,

 

In a country far larger than Thailand there is this

 

AT&T	171.76
Verizon	128.29
T-Mobile US	68.4
US Cellular	4.04

 

The Australian mobile market is dominated by the three major mobile network operators Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone

[hansnl]

If that merger will go on, I will go elsewhere from Dtac.

Don't want any business with True.

[hansnl]

2 hours ago, spermwhale said:

In most developed countries a merger of this magnitude that concentrates market power in the hands of two competitors would face tough scrutiny by regulators. 

Well, what about the concentration in the food business?

I would not be surprised if that merger would be beneficial for the same player.

[Jimbo551]

On 2/23/2022 at 9:54 AM, hansnl said:

If that merger will go on, I will go elsewhere from Dtac.

Don't want any business with True.

I wish that were possible. True no longer support satellite and if you have a problem with it, and you want to retain True Visions TV, then you are forced to change internet provider to True which is a disaster. We have been more than happy with 3BB for years and are now constantly on the phone to customer support.

 

[spidermike007]

I wonder if these were the same guys who discovered the sequencing genome of cancer patients? Wow. Takes some heavy duty intellects to determine that near monopolies are not beneficial to the population. If you ever want to question that premise, just look at True Visions. One of the worst satellite companies on the planet, when it comes to selection, or offerings for the money, or evolution. While the world introduces more HD stations daily, True remains the same dinosaur, from year to year. I was recently back in the US and Dish network has over 200 HD station, and 1,000 channels. A complete monopoly costs the public dearly.

 

I guess nitwits can never rise above the status of intellectual nitwits. Just look at Prayuth and Anutin for proof of that.

Edited February 27, 2022 by spidermike007