The government of Thailand said the proposed MVNO regulations stipulate that the existing operators can hold a share of the new regional MVNOs
The chairman of Thailand’s National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), Sarana Boonbaichaiyapruck, has outlined a plan to create more mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) in the country, according to local press reports.
The plan, which includes a scheme entitled One Region, One Mobile Virtual Network Operator, aims to create four more MVNOs by 2026. Thailand currently has three mobile operators in True Corporation, Advanced Info Service (AIS) and National Telecom (NT). According to local newspaper Bangkok Post, the combined subscribers of AIS and True Corp represent more than 96% of total subscribers in the domestic mobile telephony market.
According to the report, NBTC also plans to bring in free access to state digital services nationwide by 2026. This means all Thais will have access to use basic state services without internet charges on their mobile tariffs. This will be implemented in collaboration with mobile phone operators, according to the NBTC chairman.
The regulator will start implementing both the One Region, One MVNO scheme and free government digital services policies during 2024..
The NBTC’s proposed MVNO regulations stipulate that the existing operators can hold a share of the regional MVNOs. However, regulations stipulate that this share can not exceed the 25%.
The report also highlighted that new MVNOs may have business opportunities in the 5G private network market.
Last year, Thai carriers Total Access Communication (Dtac) and True Corp have completed their merger. The new company has a combined subscriber base of around 51 million customers.
According to previous reports, the new company, together with partners, intends to raise $200 million in venture capital. Both Telenor and CP Group will be equal partners, with equal 30.3% ownership stakes in the new company. They will serve their customers separately for the next three years, as requested by the Thailand’s National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC).
