Ministry bans telecom operators from ramping up competition
The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications has prohibited telecom operators from engaging in unreasonably strong competition to ensure proper management and productive competition in the industry. Minister of Posts and Telecommunications Mr Thansamay Kommasith issued a Ministerial Decision recently that prohibits companies from providing free telephones, mobile phones, or mobile phone SIM cards including internet SIM cards to customers as a marketing ploy. Telecom service providers are also prohibited from circulating exaggerated advertisements to lure new customers, as people could be disadvantaged. The new policy will come into effect early next month. A senior ministry official said the prohibition aims to prevent a company from engaging in unreasonable competition strategies such as offering customers subsidised products to lure them into using their services. He said such fierce competition would cause chaos and make businesses difficult to manage.
