Thailand - Mobile Communications - Market Overview and Forecasts

Synopsis

Thai mobile subscriptions have more than doubled over the past five years and passed the 100% penetration mark. The arrival of two additional players in the mobile market – TA Orange (later called True Move) and Hutchison CAT – almost a decade ago disrupted the powerful duopoly of AIS and DTAC. The TOT/CAT mobile joint venture, Thai Mobile, was also launched over this period. The market is now in need of some rationalisation; regulatory changes will continue to be a big factor in shaping the future market. This means that much will depend on the government and the regulator to make the necessary changes. The commercial rollout of 3G networks will also be watched with great interest. This report presents an overview of the Thai mobile market, including some pertinent statistics. It also includes scenario forecasts for subscribers in the mobile market.

Table of Contents

• 1. Synopsis
• 2. Thailand’s mobile market
  • 2.1 Overview
  • 2.2 Mobile statistics
  • 2.3 Competition
  • 2.4 Forecasts
    • 2.4.1 Overview
    • 2.4.2 Forecasts – mobile subscribers – 2007-2008; 2013; 2018
  • 2.5 Forecasting methodology
• 3. Regulatory developments
  • 3.1 Mobile Number Portability (MNP)
  • 3.2 Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO)
    • 3.2.1 Loxley’s MVNO service
    • 3.2.2 AirAsia
  • 3.3 Interconnection arrangements
  • 3.4 National security
• 4. Mobile technologies
  • 4.1 CDMA
  • 4.2 PCT service
  • 4.3 General Packet Radio Service (GPRS)
    • 4.3.1 AIS
    • 4.3.2 DTAC
    • 4.3.3 True
  • 4.4 Enhanced Data for GSM Evolution (EDGE)
    • 4.4.1 AIS
    • 4.4.2 DTAC
    • 4.4.3 True
  • 4.5 Third Generation (3G) mobile
    • 4.5.1 Analysis: Thailand struggles to put 3G in place – January 2011
    • 4.5.2 3G licensing: progress in 2010
    • 4.5.3 3G licensing: progress in 2011
    • 4.5.4 TOT’s MVNO strategy
  • 4.6 LTE
    • 4.6.1 Development
• 5. Mobile voice services
  • 5.1 Prepaid
• 6. Mobile data services
  • 6.1 Overview
  • 6.2 Short Message Service (SMS)
  • 6.3 Multimedia Message Service (MMS)
• 7. Mobile content and applications
  • 7.1 Overview
  • 7.2 Mobile TV
• 8. Related reports

• Table 1 – Mobile subscribers – 1999 - 2012
• Table 2 – Mobile services revenue and ARPU – 1998 - 2012
• Table 3 – Mobile operators, subscribers and annual change – 2010
• Table 4 – Other mobile operators, subscribers and annual change – March 2009
• Table 5 – Mobile operators, subscribers and market share – 2010
• Table 6 – ARPU (postpaid, prepaid, blended) for major mobile operators – 2009 - 2010
• Table 7 – Forecast mobile subscribers and penetration rate – 2007 - 2008; 2013; 2018
• Table 8 – Mobile subscribers – prepaid and postpaid – 2006 - 2010

• Chart 1 – Mobile subscribers and ARPU – 2002 - 2010

• Exhibit 1 – Major mobile operators and foreign shareholders – 2010