Thailand Telecoms Market Report

Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband - Statistics and Analyses

Last updated: 28 Sep 2026 Update History

Report Status: Current

Report Pages: 235

Analyst: Henry Lancaster

Contact BuddeComm

Purchase this Report

Summary
Table Of Contents

Thailand to secure additional subsea cable to support data centres

Thailand’s mature telecom sector hosts a mix of public and private sector players. The mobile market is highly developed, with particularly strong growth in the number of 5G subscribers. The MNOs True and AIS secured 5G-suitable spectrum at auction in June 2025, which has allowed them to strengthen network capacity. 5G is also a cornerstone of the government’s Thailand 4.0 plan, which envisages upgraded digital services, largely based on 5G and fibre, to be widely extended into rural areas of the country. This auction also formed part of a wider spectrum management roadmap to 2030.

The mobile market operates as an effective duopoly between True and AIS, given that National Telecom only has a very small subscriber base. To address this, the government has encouraged the development of MNVEs to facilitate the MVNO market. It also aimed for at least one MVNO to be active in each of the country’s seven regions. Thus far there has been little development in this sector, and the collective share held by the MVNOs remains small.

In the wireline segment, the decline in fixed-line penetration is expected to continue as subscribers migrate to mobile networks for voice and data services. More recently, the emphasis among operators has been to bolster their fibre footprints in key high-value areas. The transition to fibre from DSL and cable has also been facilitated by changes to the regulatory structure which have removed some barriers to investment. This is supporting the cannibalisation of older copper-based DSL lines by fibre. However, the returns from this investment remain a long-term prospect as consumers still favour entry-level packages.

There is also strong interest from the government, as well as private vendors, in establishing Thailand as a data centre hub to serve the region. Several data centre projects have been announced, with investments of more than $5.8 billion. To support the growth in AI-generated traffic, Thailand is also gaining additional subsea internet connectivity.

Key Developments

Telecom regulator completes consultation on new MVNO framework.
AIS secures licence to operate a virtual bank.
Regulator launches a new Spectrum Management Master Plan 2026-2028.
Telecom regulator allocates 100MHz of spectrum in the 4800MHz band for private 5G networks.
Google Cloud to build the TalayLink subsea cable connecting Thailand to Australia.
True Corp completes integration with DTAC’s network.
Report update includes Telecom Maturity Index analyses, regulator’s market data updates to June 2026, telcos’ operating and financial data to Q2 2026, recent market developments.

Key companies mentioned in this report:

National Telecom, TOT Corp, CAT Telecom, True Corporation, True Move, TT&T, AIS, Thaicom, Triple T Broadband, AIS, DTAC, Cable Thai (CTH).

Key statistics
Regional Asia market comparison

Market characteristics
Market Leaders
Market Challengers
Market Emergents
TMI vs GDP
Mobile and mobile broadband penetration
Fixed versus mobile broadband penetration

Country overview
Telecommunications market

Market analysis
Government support

Regulatory environment

Regulatory authorities

National Telecommunications Commission (NTC)
National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC)
Ministry of Digital Economy and Society

Fixed-line developments

Master Plans
Telecommunications Act 2001

Mobile network developments

National security
Licenses
Interconnection
Spectrum
Tariffs
SIM card registration
Tower sharing
Mobile Number Portability (MNP)

Mobile market

Market analysis
Mobile statistics
Mobile infrastructure

5G
4G/LTE
3G
GSM
Mobile broadband

Major mobile operators

Advanced Wireless Network (AWN)
DTAC
TrueMove
National Telecom
TT&T

MVNOs

Fixed-line broadband market

Market analysis
Broadband statistics
Broadband service providers

TrueOnline
Triple T Broadband

Fibre-to-the-Premises (FttP) networks

Advance Information Services (AIS)

Other fixed broadband services

Wi-Fi
Community projects

Digital economy

e-Government
e-Commerce
e-Health

Fixed network operators

Introduction
National Telecom

TOT Corp
CAT Telecom

True Corp
AIS

Telecommunications infrastructure

Overview of the national telecom network
Government Infrastructure projects
International infrastructure

Overview
Submarine cable networks
Satellite networks

Data centres

CSL
Inet
JasTel
Kirz
SuperNAP
TCC Technology
True IDC
AWS
GDS
National Telecom
Equinix
Government developments

Smart infrastructure

Internet of Things (IoT)
Smart cities
Smart grids

Glossary of abbreviations
Related reports

List of Tables

Table 1 – Top Level Country Statistics and Telco Authorities – Thailand – 2027 (e)
Table 2 – Change in the number of telecom licences by type – 2020 – 2023
Table 3 – Development of telecom sector revenue (THB million) – 2013 – 2025
Table 4 – Investment in telecom infrastructure (THB million) – 2021 – 2023
Table 5 – Change in the average mobile voice price – 2012 – 2026
Table 6 – Change in the number of mobile numbers ported – 2018 – 2024
Table 7 – Development of mobile service revenue by type (THB million) – 2016 – 2024
Table 8 – Change in the share of mobile service revenue by type – 2016 – 2026
Table 9 – Percentage of the population covered by type of mobile network – 2014 – 2025
Table 10 – Change in average mobile ARPU (THB/user/month) – 2012 – 2026
Table 11 – Change in mobile voice traffic by type (million minutes) – 2020 – 2024
Table 12 – Change in average mobile voice traffic (minutes/user/month) – 2012 – 2026
Table 13 – Change in the number of mobile subscribers and penetration – 2014 – 2029
Table 14 – Change in the number of prepaid and contract mobile subscribers – 2020 – 2024
Table 15 – Change in the proportion of prepaid and contract mobile subscribers – 2020 – 2024
Table 16 – Change in SMS traffic – 2012 – 2025
Table 17 – Change in MMS traffic – 2017 – 2025
Table 18 – Change in the number of mobile of base stations by spectrum band – 2016 – 2023
Table 19 – Increase in 5G population coverage – 2020 – 2025
Table 20 – Increase in the number of AIS’s 5G subscribers – 2020 – 2026
Table 21 – Growth in the number of mobile broadband subscribers and penetration – 2014 – 2029
Table 22 – Increase in mobile broadband traffic capacity – 2016 – 2023
Table 23 – Change in mobile data traffic – 2017 – 2025
Table 24 – Change in the share of mobile subscribers by operator – 2012 – 2026
Table 25 – Development of AIS’s financial data (THB billion) – 2012 – 2026
Table 26 – Development of AIS’s revenue by service (THB billion) – 2016 – 2026
Table 27 – Change in the number of AIS’s mobile subscribers (million) – 2012 – 2026
Table 28 – Change in AIS’s mobile data volume per subscriber (GB/subscriber/month) – 2014 – 2026
Table 29 – Development of AIS’s mobile ARPU (THB/user/month) – 2012 – 2026
Table 30 – Change in AIS’s mobile churn rate – 2016 – 2026
Table 31 – Change in the number of DTAC’s mobile subscribers (million) – 2012 – 2022
Table 32 – Change in DTAC’s mobile ARPU (THB/user/Month) – 2012 – 2022
Table 33 – Development of DTAC’s mobile service revenue – 2013 – 2022
Table 34 – Development of DTAC’s revenue (THB billion) – 2013 – 2022
Table 35 – Development of TrueMove’s financial data (THB million) – 2012 – 2021
Table 36 – Development of True Corporation’s mobile revenue (THB million) – 2022 – 2026
Table 37 – Change in the number of True Corporation’s mobile subscribers (million) – 2012 – 2026
Table 38 – Development of True Corporation’s mobile ARPU (THB/user/month) – 2012 – 2026
Table 39 – Development of CAT Telecom’s financial data (THB million) – 2012 – 2020
Table 40 – Growth in the number of fixed broadband subscribers and penetration – 2014 – 2029
Table 41 – Growth in the number of internet users – 2009 – 2025
Table 42 – Change in fixed data traffic – 2017 – 2025
Table 43 – Change in the number of fixed broadband subscribers by technology (million) – 2012 – 2024
Table 44 – Change in the proportion of fixed broadband subscribers by technology – 2016 – 2023
Table 45 – Change in fixed broadband traffic capacity by platform (Gb/s) – 2016 – 2023
Table 46 – Change in fibre broadband access revenue (THB million) – 2016 – 2023
Table 47 – Change in fixed broadband retail revenue – 2020 – 2025
Table 48 – Change in average fixed broadband ARPU – 2016 – 2024
Table 49 – Change in average fixed broadband ARPU (THB/month) by operator– 2020 – 2024
Table 50 – Change in the share of fixed broadband subscribers by operator – 2014 – 2025
Table 51 – Change in the number of TrueOnline’s fixed broadband subscribers – 2012 – 2026
Table 52 – Development of TrueOnline’s annualised fixed broadband ARPU – 2012 – 2026
Table 53 – Increase in the number of AIS’s fixed broadband subscribers – 2015 – 2026
Table 54 – Development of AIS’s fixed broadband ARPU – 2015 – 2026
Table 55 – Change in the number of fixed lines in service by operator – 2020 – 2026
Table 56 – Change in the market share of fixed lines by major provider – 2021 – 2025
Table 57 – Development of National Telecom’s financial data (THB million) – 2021 – 2025
Table 58 – Development of National Telecom’s revenue by service (THB million) – 2021 – 2025
Table 59 – Development of True Corp’s financial data (THB million) – 2012 – 2026
Table 60 – Development of True Corp’s revenue by service (THB million) – 2022 – 2026
Table 61 – Change in the number of fixed lines in service and teledensity – 2014 – 2029
Table 62 – Cable length requests by technology (km) – 2016 – 2024
Table 63 – Change in fixed-line voice traffic by type (million minutes) – 2020 – 2024
Table 64 – Increase in internet bandwidth capacity (Mb/s) – 2012 – 2025
Table 65 – Historic - Mobile subscribers, penetration, and annual growth – 1999 – 2013
Table 66 – Historic - Mobile broadband subscribers and penetration – 2012 – 2013
Table 67 – Historic - AIS mobile subscribers (million) – 2004 – 2011
Table 68 – Historic - Fixed broadband subscribers and penetration – 2001 – 2013
Table 69 – Historic - DSL subscribers – 2002 – 2014
Table 70 – Historic - Fibre-based broadband subscribers – 2010 – 2014
Table 71 – Historic - True’s fixed-line subscribers – 2004 – 2015
Table 72– Historic - Fixed lines and Penetration – 1995 – 2013
Table 73 – Historic - AIS mobile ARPU (THB / user / month) – 2007 – 2011
Table 74 – Historic - True Move mobile subscribers (million) – 2008 – 2011
Table 75 – Historic - True Move ARPU (THB / user / month) – 2007 – 2011
Table 76 – Historic - TrueOnline fixed broadband subscribers – 2008 – 2011
Table 77 – Historic - DTAC mobile subscribers (million) – 2007 – 2011
Table 78 – Historic - DTAC mobile ARPU (THB / user / month) – 2008 – 2011
Table 79 – Historic - TOT’s fixed-line subscribers – 2005 – 2013
Table 80 – Historic - Increase in international internet bandwidth – 2008 – 2011

List of Charts

Chart 1 – Asia Telecoms Maturity Index – Market Leaders
Chart 2 – Asia Telecoms Maturity Index – Market Challengers
Chart 3 – Asia Telecoms Maturity Index – Market Emergents
Chart 4 – Asia – Telecoms Maturity Index vs GDP per capita
Chart 5 – Asia – Mobile subscriber penetration vs mobile broadband penetration
Chart 6 – Northern Asia – Mobile subscriber penetration vs mobile broadband penetration
Chart 7 – Northern Asia – Fixed and mobile broadband penetration
Chart 8 – Change in the number of telecom licences by type – 2020 – 2023
Chart 9 – Development of telecom sector revenue – 2013 – 2025
Chart 10 – Development of mobile service revenue by type – 2016 – 2024
Chart 11 – Change in the share of mobile service revenue by type – 2016 – 2026
Chart 12 – Change in average mobile ARPU – 2012 – 2026
Chart 13 – Change in mobile voice traffic by type – 2020 – 2024
Chart 14 – Change in average mobile voice traffic – 2012 – 2026
Chart 15 – Change in the number of mobile subscribers and penetration – 2014 – 2029
Chart 16 – Change in the number of prepaid and contract mobile subscribers – 2020 – 2024
Chart 17 – Change in the proportion of prepaid and contract mobile subscribers – 2020 – 2024
Chart 18 – Change in SMS traffic – 2012 – 2025
Chart 19 – Change in MMS traffic – 2017 – 2025
Chart 20 – Change in the number of base stations by spectrum band – 2019 – 2023
Chart 21 – Increase in the number of AIS’s 5G subscribers – 2020 – 2026
Chart 22 – Growth in the number of mobile broadband subscribers and penetration – 2014 – 2029
Chart 23 – Change in the mobile market of subscribers by operator – 2012 – 2026
Chart 24 – Development of AIS’s revenue and EBITDA data – 2015 – 2026
Chart 25 – Development of AIS’s revenue by service – 2016 – 2026
Chart 26 – Change in the number of AIS’s mobile subscribers – 2015 – 2026
Chart 27 – Change in AIS’s mobile data volume per subscriber – 2014 – 2026
Chart 28 – Development of AIS’s mobile ARPU – 2012 – 2026
Chart 29 – Change in AIS’s mobile churn rate – 2016 – 2026
Chart 30 – Change in the number of DTAC’s mobile subscribers – 2012 – 2022
Chart 31 – Change in DTAC’s mobile ARPU – 2012 – 2022
Chart 32 – Development of DTAC’s mobile service revenue – 2013 – 2022
Chart 33 – Development of DTAC’s revenue – 2013 – 2022
Chart 34 – Development of TrueMove’s financial data – 2012 – 2021
Chart 35 – Development of True Corporation’s mobile revenue – 2022 – 2026
Chart 36 – Change in the number of True Corporation’s mobile subscribers – 2012 – 2026
Chart 37 – Development of True Corporation’s mobile ARPU – 2012 – 2026
Chart 38 – Development of CAT Telecom’s financial data – 2012 – 2020
Chart 39 – Growth in the number of fixed broadband subscribers and penetration – 2014 – 2029
Chart 40 – Change in the number of fixed broadband subscribers by technology (million) – 2012 – 2024
Chart 41 – Change in the proportion of fixed broadband subscribers by technology – 2016 – 2024
Chart 42 – Change in fibre broadband access revenue – 2016 – 2023
Chart 43 – Change in average fixed broadband ARPU – 2016 – 2024
Chart 44 – Change in average fixed broadband ARPU by operator – 2020 – 2024
Chart 45 – Change in the share of fixed broadband subscribers by operator – 2014 – 2025
Chart 46 – Change in the number of TrueOnline’s fixed broadband subscribers – 2012 – 2026
Chart 47 – Development of TrueOnline’s annualised fixed broadband ARPU – 2012 – 2026
Chart 48 – Increase in the number of AIS’s fixed broadband subscribers – 2015 – 2026
Chart 49 – Development of AIS’s fixed broadband ARPU – 2015 – 2026
Chart 50 – Change in the number of fixed lines in service by operator – 2020 – 2026
Chart 51 – Development of National Telecom’s financial data – 2021 – 2025
Chart 52 – Development of National Telecom’s revenue by service – 2021 – 2025
Chart 53 – Development of True Corp’s financial data – 2012 – 2026
Chart 54 – Development of True Corp’s revenue by service – 2022 – 2026
Chart 55 – Change in the number of fixed lines in service and teledensity – 2014 – 2029
Chart 56 – Change in fixed-line voice traffic by type – 2020 – 2024
Chart 57 – Increase in internet bandwidth capacity – 2012 – 2025

List of Exhibits

Exhibit 1 – Map of Telecom Maturity Index global ranking among countries in Asia
Exhibit 2 – Generalised Market Characteristics by Market Segment
Exhibit 3 – Interconnection charges – 2007 - 2025
Exhibit 4 – AIS’s spectrum concessions
Exhibit 5 – True’s spectrum concessions
Exhibit 6– 5G auction result – February 2020
Exhibit 7 – DTAC’s payments for spectrum concessions
Exhibit 8– Principal submarine cable networks
Exhibit 9 – Thaicom’s satellite network
Exhibit 10 – Inet’s data centres
Exhibit 11 – TCC Technology’s data centres
Exhibit 12– National Telecom’s data centres
Exhibit 13– International internet gateway operators in Thailand

Related Reports

Purchase this Report

Contact BuddeComm

Share this Report

TMT Intelligence

A platform to scale your intelligence tasks

Monitor critical insights with our AI-powered Market Intelligence Platform gathering and analyzing intelligence in real time. With AI trained to spot emerging trends and detect new strategic opportunities, our clients use TMT Intelligence to accelerate their growth.

If you want to know more about it, please see:

TMT Intelligence Platform

Research Methodology

BuddeComm's strategic business reports contain a combination of both primary and secondary research statistics, analyses written by our senior analysts supported by a network of experts, industry contacts and researchers from around the world as well as our own scenario forecasts.

For more details, please see:

Research Methodology

More than 4,000 customers from 140 countries utilise BuddeComm Research

Are you interested in BuddeComm's Custom Research Service?

Hot Topics

News & Views

Have the latest telecommunications industry news delivered to your inbox by subscribing to BuddeComm's weekly newsletter.

Unsubscribe

Thailand Telecoms Market Report

Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband - Statistics and Analyses

Purchase this Report

Thailand to secure additional subsea cable to support data centres

Key Developments

Key companies mentioned in this report:

Key statistics

Regional Asia market comparison

Country overview

Telecommunications market

Regulatory environment

Mobile market

Fixed-line broadband market

Digital economy

Fixed network operators

Telecommunications infrastructure

Glossary of abbreviations

Related reports

Purchase this Report

Share this Report

TMT Intelligence

A platform to scale your intelligence tasks

Research Methodology

Hot Topics

News & Views