Editing Telecommunications in Thailand

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Modern '''[[telecommunications]] in [[Thailand]]''' began in 1875 with the deployment of the first [[telegraph]] service. Historically, the development of telecommunication networks in Thailand were in the hands of the public sector. Government organisations were established to provide telegraph, [[telephone]], [[radio broadcasting|radio]], and [[television]] services, and other government agencies, especially the military, still control a large estate of radio and television spectra. Private telecommunication operators initially acquired [[concession (contract)|concession agreements]] with state enterprises. For mobile phone services, all the concessions have been amended by successive government to last 25 years have gradually ended in 2015. For other services, the concession terms and conditions vary, ranging from one to fifteen years. Nearly all of the concessions are [[build-operate-transfer]] (BTO) contracts. The private investor has to build all the required facilities and transfer them to the state before they can operate or offer services to public.

Liberalisation took place in the 1990s and 2000s. State enterprises, the [[TOT Public Company Limited|Telephone Organization of Thailand]], [[CAT Telecom|Communications Authority of Thailand]], and [[MCOT|Mass Communication Organization of Thailand]], were corporatised in 2003 and 2004. The [[Constitution of Thailand of 1997|Constitution of 1997]] prompted the institutional changes when it declared that all the spectrum is a "national communication resource for public welfare". The 1997 Constitution further requires the establishment of "an independent regulator" who shall be authorized to allocate spectra and monitor and regulate communications in Thailand. In 1998, to comply with the constitutional mandate, the parliament passed a law establishing two independent regulators, the National Telecommunication Commission (NTC) and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC). The regulatory practice began in Thailand when the NTC was appointed by the king through the complex nomination procedure in 2005. The inception of NTC automatically terminates and transfers all power and authority in telecommunication sector from the Post and Telegraph Department (PTD) to the newly established independent commission.

In September 2006, the military wrested control from a civilian government and merged the telecommunications and broadcasting regulators into a convergence regulator. The task had not been completed when a civilian government came into power and introduced the new bill. The new law dubbed the ''Act on Spectrum Allocation Authority, Regulatory & Control over Radio & TV Broadcast and Telecommunications of 2010'' (''aka'' '''NRA Act of 2010'''), eliminated the NTC and created a new "convergence regulator" to manage both telecommunications and broadcast in Thailand. The new law also requires that the [[National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission]] which was established in 2010 as an independent regulator, must allocate all commercial spectrum licenses via auction. In 2012, in order to license the [[3G]] spectrum and services, the Telecom Commission (TC) hosted a spectrum auction which resulted in three new licenses for 2.1&nbsp;GHz to three incumbents ([[Advanced Info Service|AIS]], [[True Corporation|True]], and [[DTAC]]). In 2013, the Broadcast Commission (BC) auctioned 42 new [[DTTV]] licenses.  Both auctions together earned record sums for money paid to the public sector via auction. Later the record was beaten by another auction by sister agency, the Broadcast Commission who launched the DTTV auction in December 2013. The NBTC Act in force then allowed NBTC to keep the proceeds of the DTTV auction. But when the military took over the country, it amended the NBTC Act to require return of auction proceeds to the treasury.

On 22 May 2014 when the coup d'état took place, the military decided that it would scrutinize the regulatory practices of both sectors. The government, led by General [[Prayut Chan-o-cha]], announced that his government would move Thailand into the "digital economy" and would transform the Ministry of Information and Telecommunications into a Digital Economy Ministry. NBTC reform would be a part of the plan. In June 2014, the junta issued two new orders demanding that a) all the proceeds from spectrum auctions must be returned to the public purse and, b) all community radio stations must comply with a new junta order which would require examination and investigation of compliance before offering programming to the public.  Temporary licenses were issued in September 2014 to compliant radio stations that  signed voluntary [[memoranda of understanding]] (MOU) as "a condition precedent" to be able to broadcast while awaiting more thorough vetting from BC before issuance of the ''de juré'' license. The time required to an investigation was ambiguous. New community radio licenses must be in compliance with a junta order that supersedes the Radio and Television Act of 2008.

The mobile network market is dominated by three large operators who have a market penetration rate of 100 percent. All main mobile operators now utilise [[GSM]]/[[3GPP]] family technologies including GSM, [[Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution|EDGE]], [[Universal Mobile Telecommunications System|UMTS]], and [[LTE (telecommunication)|LTE]]. Thailand has six [[analogue television|analogue]] [[terrestrial television]] channels, and 24 commercial [[digital terrestrial television|digital]] terrestrial channels began broadcasting in 2014.

Under the Trade Competition Act 2017, which became effective in October 2017, the trade competition authority relinquished its authority to regulate specific sectors including broadcasting and telecommunications businesses. In other words, since the Trade Competition Act 2017 became effective, the broadcasting and telecom sectors that used to be regulated by specific legislation on trade competition have been exempted from complying with general competition laws and are only subject to sectoral regulations on competition.<ref>https://gettingthedealthrough.com/area/39/jurisdiction/60/telecoms-media-thailand/{{nonspecific|date=November 2018}}</ref> However, although the Trade Competition Act (“TCA”) BE 2560 (2017), states that the TCA does not apply to sectors that have specific legislation (i.e.: Banking, Broadcasting and Telecom), the Telecommunications Business Act (“TBA”) B.E. 2544 (2001) – Section 21 states: “In the telecommunications business operation, ''other than being subject to the law on trade competition''…”.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://web.krisdika.go.th/data/outsitedata/outsite21/file/Telecommunications_Business_Act_BE_2544_(2001).pdf|title = Telecommunications Business Act B.E. 2544 (2001)}}</ref> Therefore, a merger in the telecom sector for example, would be under both acts and authorities, because the specific legislation (The Telecommunications Business Act) points back to the law on trade competition.

==Telephone==

===Fixed-line===
There are three fixed-line telephone operators in Thailand: state-owned [[TOT Public Company Limited]] (now known as [[National Telecom Public Company Limited|National Telecom (NT)]]), [[True Corporation]], and [[TT&T]] (Currently name "3BB"). As of 2014, there were 5,687,038 fixed-line subscriptions. That number has been in decline since 2008.<ref name="NBTC report 2013">{{cite web |url=http://www.nbtc.go.th/wps/wcm/connect/df9dca80442ea4be8b10fbfac72eb121/%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%9C%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%8F%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%9A%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%99+%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%8A+2556.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=df9dca80442ea4be8b10fbfac72eb121 |script-title=th:รายงานผลการปฏิบัติงาน กสทช. ประจำปี ๒๕๕๖ |date=2014 |website=National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) |language=th |trans-title=Annual Report on the Operation of the NBTC 2013 |access-date=2014-08-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903160256/http://www.nbtc.go.th/wps/wcm/connect/df9dca80442ea4be8b10fbfac72eb121/%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%9C%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%8F%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%9A%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%99+%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%8A+2556.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=df9dca80442ea4be8b10fbfac72eb121 |archive-date=2014-09-03 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The first [[landline|fixed-line]] telephone system was installed in Thailand (Siam) under the [[Ministry of Defence (Thailand)|Ministry of Defence]] in 1881, and later its operation was transferred to the Post and Telegraph Department. The Telephone Organization of Thailand (TOT) was established in 1954 to manage the telephone system.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tot.co.th/files/past%20to%20present-21-03-55.pdf |title=From Past to Present |website=TOT Public Company Limited |access-date=2014-08-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927225528/http://tot.co.th/files/past%20to%20present-21-03-55.pdf# |archive-date=2013-09-27 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The penetration of telephone remained relatively limited for most of the 20th century. In 1992, the ratio of telephone lines per population was 3.3 lines per 100 population. In 1991, two private corporations were given concessions to build and operate telephone lines: Telecom-Asia (later renamed [[True Corporation]]) for the [[Bangkok Metropolitan Region]] and Thai Telephone & Telecommunications (TT&T) for the provinces.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Hossain |first=Liaquat |date= 1996 |title=Telecommunications Network Development: Organisational and Societal Challenges for Thailand |url=http://ijcim.th.org/past_editions/1996V04N1/15_Telecommunications_Network_Development-Organisational_and_Societal_Challenges_for_Thailand.pdf |journal=International Journal of the Computer, the Internet and Management |volume=4 |issue=1 |access-date=2014-08-29}}</ref>

===Mobile networks===
As of 2014, there were 97.6 million mobile subscribers in Thailand, a penetration rate of 146 percent of the total population. The Thai market is predominantly [[Prepaid mobile phone|prepaid]] with 84.8 million prepaid subscribers. More than 99 percent of the market share belongs to three large operators (including their subsidiaries): [[Advanced Info Service]] (AIS), 46.52 percent market share, [[DTAC]], 28.50 percent market share, and [[Truemove]], 24.26 percent. Other operators include the state enterprises [[TOT Public Company Limited]] (TOT) with 0.57 percent market share, and [[CAT Telecom]] with 0.15 percent market share and [[mobile virtual network operator|Mobile Virtual Network Operators]] (MVNOs).<ref>"[http://www.slideshare.net/yozzo1/thailands-mobile-market-information-q4-2014 Thailand's Mobile Market Information Q4 2014]" Slideshare</ref>

In 1980s and 1990s, private mobile operators were given concessions from TOT and CAT. TOT and CAT were corporatised in 2002–2003, and the Thai telecommunications landscape transitioned towards spectrum allocation by independent regulator. The [[2007 Constitution of Thailand|2007 constitution]] and the ''Act on Organization to Assign Radio Frequency and to Regulate the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Services'' include the provisions that a national independent regulator is established and frequencies for commercial activities must be allocated via auction.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nbtc.go.th/wps/wcm/connect/a0726c804a97b6209a1edfb1f5b6d48d/%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%A3%E0%B9%8C%E0%B8%8A%E0%B8%B1%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%A0%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A9%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%A4%E0%B8%A9.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=a0726c804a97b6209a1edfb1f5b6d48d |title=Unofficial translation: Act on Organization to Assign Radio Frequency and to Regulate the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Services B.E. 2553 (2010)| format=PDF}}</ref> The first successful spectrum auction by the [[National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission]] was organised in 2012, allocating 45&nbsp;MHz of [[UMTS frequency bands#UMTS-FDD frequency bands and channel bandwidths|IMT (2100) frequency band]] to three mobile phone operators.

Legislation that governs the Mobile networks includes the Act on the Organisation to Assign Radio Frequency and to Regulate Broadcasting and Telecommunications Services 2010 (the NBTC Act) and the Telecommunications Business Act 2001 (the Telecommunications Business Act). Additionally, any operator wishing to issue telephone numbers shall obtain a separate licence from the NBTC, subject to a Telecommunications Numbering Plan issued by the NBTC.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gettingthedealthrough.com/area/39/jurisdiction/60/telecoms-media-thailand/|title = Work areas - Getting the Deal Through - Lexology}}</ref>

In 2015 the NBTC arranged two rounds of auctions for 1800&nbsp;MHz and 900Mhz. In November, Advance Info Service and True Corporation won the 1800&nbsp;MHz license in the auction which takes nearly 33 hours to complete. In December, True Corporation and Jasmine International won the 900&nbsp;MHz auction. The significance of this auction is the establishment of Jasmine International in the telecommunication business which didn't have a new player for many years. There are many rumours following this auction questioning Jasmine International on its ability to pay the license fee to NBTC.<ref>{{cite web|title=หรือจะต้องประมูลคลื่น 900 MHz กันอีกรอบ?|url=http://www.kao-it.com/2016/01/30/%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B7%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%88%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%95%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%B9%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B7%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%99-900-mhz/|website=www.kao-it.com|access-date=2016-01-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170105235206/http://www.kao-it.com/2016/01/30/%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B7%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%88%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%95%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%B9%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B7%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%99-900-mhz/|archive-date=2017-01-05|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2017, the number of mobile subscribers has reached 121.53 million,<ref>"[https://www.statista.com/statistics/501146/number-of-mobile-cellular-subscriptions-in-thailand/ Statistik 2017]</ref><ref>"[https://www.theglobaleconomy.com/Thailand/Mobile_phone_subscribers/ Statistik 2017]</ref> and in 2018 has already reached 125.6 million.<ref>"[http://ttid.nbtc.go.th/mobile_subscribers.html Statistik 2018]</ref> To purchase a SIM card in Thailand, it is necessary to present an ID to register.

At the end of 2021, the total number of mobile subscriptions in Thailand was 99.4 million, representing a mobile penetration rate of 150 percent of the total population. More than 96.5 percent of the total market share belongs to three large operators (including their subsidiaries): [[Advanced Info Service]] (AIS), 44.38 percent market share, [[Truemove]], 32.44 percent and [[DTAC]], 19.68 percent market share. Other operators include the state enterprises [[National Telecom Public Company Limited|National Telecom (NT)]] with 3.45 percent market share, and [[mobile virtual network operator|mobile virtual network operators (MVNO)]] with 0.05 percent market share, resulting in a [[Herfindahl–Hirschman index|(HHI)]] of 3,421<ref>"[https://www.yozzo.com/insights/thailands-mobile-market-end-of-year-2021/ Thailand’s Mobile Market End of Year 2021]" Yozzo</ref>

On November 22, 2021, [[Telenor]] and [[Charoen Pokphand|Charoen Pokphand Group]], officially announced they have agreed to explore a USD 8.6 billion merger plan between Thailand’s second and third largest telecom operators (by subscribers), [[True Corporation]] (TRUE) and [[Total Access Communication]] (DTAC) – The proposed merger is subject to regulatory approvals.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.yozzo.com/insights/a-deep-dive-into-the-true-dtac-merger-in-thailand/|title=A deep dive into the TRUE/DTAC merger in Thailand| work=Yozzo.com|access-date=2022-01-06}}</ref> The merger was "acknowledged" by the regulator NBTC at a meeting on October 20, 2022.<ref>[https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Telecommunication/Thai-telecoms-regulator-allows-7.3bn-True-DTAC-merger Thai telecoms regulator allows $7.3bn True-DTAC merger]</ref> The newly merged company still retain the True Corporation name, which was founded on March 1, 2023 and it was listed on the [[Stock Exchange of Thailand]] under the stock ticker symbol TRUE on March 3, 2023.<ref>[https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2481210/merged-true-dtac-to-be-called-true-corp Merged True-DTAC to be called True Corp]</ref>

{|class="wikitable"
|-
! style="width:3%;"| Rank !! style="width:15%;"| Operator !! style="width:30%;"| Technology !! style="width:20%;" | Subscribers !! style="width:32%;"| Ownership
|-
|align=right| 1 || [[Advanced Info Service|AIS]] ||[[GSM]]-900 ([[GPRS]], [[Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution|EDGE]]),<br>900/2100&nbsp;MHz [[UMTS]], [[High-Speed Packet Access|HSPA]], [[HSPA+]], [[DC-HSPA+]] <br>900/1800/2100&nbsp;MHz [[LTE Advanced|LTE-A]], [[LTE in unlicensed spectrum|LTE-U/LAA]], <br><small>Pseudo [[Mobile virtual network operator|MVNO]] on [[TOT (Thailand)|TOT]] B1 2100&nbsp;MHz</small> <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.slideshare.net/yozzo1/thailands-telecom-structure-2017|title=Thailand's Telecom Structure 2017|website=www.slideshare.com|date=6 June 2017|language=en|access-date=2018-12-31}}</ref><br />|| 38.5 million<ref name="beartai.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.beartai.com/news/10879 | title="กสทช." เผยคนใช้มือถือในไทยใกล้ 100 ล้านเบอร์ !!| date=11 March 2014}}</ref> (Q3 2015) <br /> 41,436,800<ref name="bar">{{cite web|url=http://www.yozzo.com/insights/thailands-mobile-market-end-of-year-2020/ | title="Thailand's Mobile Market End of Year 2020| date=7 March 2021}}</ref> (EOY 2020)<br /> 44,116,700<ref name="foo">{{cite web|url=https://www.yozzo.com/insights/thailands-mobile-market-end-of-year-2021/ | title="Thailand’s Mobile Market End of Year 2021| date=20 February 2022}}</ref> (EOY 2021)|| [[Shin Corporation|INTOUCH Company]] (40.45%)<br>[[Singtel]] (23.32%)
|-
|align=right| 2 || [[DTAC]] (merged with [[True Corporation|True]] to form a new [[True Corporation]]) || [[GSM]]-1800&nbsp;MHz([[GPRS]], [[Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution|EDGE]])<br>850/2100 &nbsp;MHz [[UMTS]] [[High-Speed Packet Access|HSPA]], [[HSPA+]], [[DC-HSPA+]]<br>1800/2100&nbsp;MHz [[LTE (telecommunication)|LTE]], <br><small>Pseudo [[Mobile virtual network operator|MVNO]] on [[TOT (Thailand)|TOT]] B40 2300&nbsp;MHz</small> <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.slideshare.net/yozzo1/thailands-telecom-structure-2017|title=Thailand's Telecom Structure 2017|website=www.slideshare.com|date=6 June 2017|language=en|access-date=2018-12-31}}</ref><br />||25.3 million<ref name="beartai.com"/> (Q3 2015) <br /> 18,856,000<ref name="bar" /> (EOY 2020) <br />19,561,000<ref name="foo"/> (EOY 2021) || [[Charoen Pokphand|Charoen Pokphand Group]] (3.41%)<br>[[Telenor]] (19.64%)<br>[[China Mobile]] (7.81%)<br>[[National Telecom Public Company Limited|National Telecom]] (2.39%)<br>[[Stock Exchange of Thailand|Thai NVDR]] (9.81%)
|-
|align=right| 3 || [[TrueMove H]] (merged with [[DTAC]] to form a new [[True Corporation]]) ||[[Personal Handy-phone System|PHS]]<br> [[GSM]]-900/1800&nbsp;MHz ([[GPRS]], [[Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution|EDGE]])<br> 850/2100&nbsp;MHz [[UMTS]] [[High-Speed Packet Access|HSPA]], [[HSPA+]], [[DC-HSPA+]]<br />900/1800/2100&nbsp;MHz [[LTE Advanced|LTE-A]], <br><small>Pseudo [[Mobile virtual network operator|MVNO]] on [[CAT Telecom]] B5 850&nbsp;MHz</small> <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.slideshare.net/yozzo1/thailands-telecom-structure-2017|title=Thailand's Telecom Structure 2017|website=www.slideshare.com|date=6 June 2017|language=en|access-date=2018-12-31}}</ref><br />||24 million<ref name=20140814-true>{{cite web | url=http://true.listedcompany.com/newsroom/20140814-true-set02-th.pdf | title=ที่ TRUE-SEC 050/2557 | language=th | access-date=27 November 2014}}</ref> (Q3 2015) <br />30,628,000<ref name="bar" /> (EOY 2020) <br />32,250,000<ref name="foo"/> (EOY 2021)|| [[Charoen Pokphand|Charoen Pokphand Group]] (3.41%)<br>[[Telenor]] (19.64%)<br>[[China Mobile]] (7.81%)<br>[[National Telecom Public Company Limited|National Telecom]] (2.39%)<br>[[Stock Exchange of Thailand|Thai NVDR]] (9.81%)
|-
|align=right| 4 || [[National Telecom Public Company Limited|National Telecom (NT)]] || 850&nbsp;MHz B5 [[UMTS]] [[High-Speed Packet Access|HSPA, HSPA+]], [[DC-HSPA+]] <br> 2100&nbsp;MHz B1 [[UMTS]] [[High-Speed Packet Access|HSPA]], [[HSPA+]], [[DC-HSPA+]] <br> 2300&nbsp;MHz B40 [[TD-LTE|TDD LTE]] || 3,425,730<ref name="foo"/> (EOY 2021)|| [[Ministry of Digital Economy and Society]]
|-
|align=right| 5 || [[CAT Telecom|MY]] <br><small>Merged into [[National Telecom Public Company Limited|National Telecom (NT)]] on 7 January 2021</small> || 850&nbsp;MHz B5 [[UMTS]] [[High-Speed Packet Access|HSPA, HSPA+]], [[DC-HSPA+]]|| 2,833,502<ref name="bar" /> (EOY 2020)|| [[CAT Telecom]]
|-
|align=right| 6 || [[TOT (Thailand)|TOT]] <br><small>Merged into [[National Telecom Public Company Limited|National Telecom (NT)]] on 7 January 2021</small> || 2100&nbsp;MHz B1 [[UMTS]] [[High-Speed Packet Access|HSPA]], [[HSPA+]], [[DC-HSPA+]] <br> 2300&nbsp;MHz B40 [[TD-LTE|TDD LTE]] || 106,875<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yozzo.com/news-and-information/mvno-mobile-operator-s/thailands-mvno-market-2016-tot-2100mhz-2300mhz | title="Thailand's MVNO Market 2016 – TOT, 2100MHz, 2300MHz| date=3 January 2017}}</ref> (Q3 2016) <br /> 532,905<ref name="bar" /> (EOY 2020)|| [[TOT (Thailand)|Telephone Organization of Thailand (TOT)]]
|-
|-
|-
! colspan="5" style="text-align:center;"| [[Mobile Virtual Network Operator]]s
|-
|align=right| 1 || IEC3G Buzzme <br><small>(Host operator [[TOT (Thailand)|TOT]])</small> ||'''3G :'''  [[UMTS]]/[[WCDMA]] : B1 2100&nbsp;MHz || Closed 2018 || Mobile 8 Telco Sdn Bhd.
|-
|align=right| 2 || MyWorld 3G <br/> <small>(Host operator [[CAT Telecom|CAT]])</small> ||'''3G :''' [[UMTS]]/[[WCDMA]] : B5 850&nbsp;MHz || Closed || Data CDMA Communication Co., Ltd.
|-
|align=right| 3 || OPEN SIM i-mobile <br/> <small>(Host operator [[CAT Telecom|CAT]])</small> ||'''3G :'''  [[UMTS]]/[[WCDMA]] : B5 850&nbsp;MHz || Closed 2017<ref name="ReferenceA">{{Cite web|url=http://www.yozzo.com/news/mvna-mvne-mvno/i-mobile-hangs-up-its-mvno-business/|title=i-mobile hangs up its MVNO business|website=www.yozzo.com|date=13 June 2017|language=en|access-date=2018-12-27}}</ref> || Samart Corporation Public Company Limited.
|-
|align=right| 4 ||imobile-3GX <br/> <small>(Host operator [[CAT Telecom|CAT]])</small> ||'''3G :'''  [[UMTS]]/[[WCDMA]] : B5 850&nbsp;MHz || Closed 2017<ref name="ReferenceA"/> || Samart Corporation Public Company Limited.
|-
|align=right| 5 || 168 <br/> <small>(Host operator [[CAT Telecom|CAT]])</small> ||'''3G :'''  [[UMTS]]/[[WCDMA]] : B5 850&nbsp;MHz || Closed 2018 || 168 Communication Co Ltd.
|-
|align=right| 6 || Mojo 3G <br><small>(Host operator [[TOT (Thailand)|TOT]])</small> ||'''3G :'''  [[UMTS]]/[[WCDMA]] : B1 2100&nbsp;MHz|| Closed 2017<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.yozzo.com/news/mvna-mvne-mvno/another-tot-mvno-hangs-up/|title=Another TOT MVNO hangs up|website=www.yozzo.com|date=28 January 2017|language=en|access-date=2018-12-27}}</ref> || MConzult Asia Co., Ltd.
|-
|align=right| 7 || Tune Talk <br><small>(Host operator [[TOT (Thailand)|TOT]])</small> ||'''3G :'''  [[UMTS]]/[[WCDMA]] : B1 2100&nbsp;MHz || Closed || Loxley Public Company Limited (50%)<br>Tune Group Sdn Bhd (10%)<br>Thai AirAsia Co., Ltd. (40%)
|-
|align=right| 8 || i-Kool 3G <br><small>(Host operator [[TOT (Thailand)|TOT]])</small> ||'''3G :'''  [[UMTS]]/[[WCDMA]] : B1 2100&nbsp;MHz || Closed 2022<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.linkedin.com/posts/alrathai_mvno-ikool-feels-activity-7292251614512324608-1Y_m|title=End of an Era: Thailand’s longest-surviving MVNO to shut down|website=www.linkedin.com|language=en|access-date=2025-04-26}}</ref> <br />2,251<ref name="bar" /> (EOY 2020) <br />2,219<ref name="foo"/> (EOY 2021) || Loxley Public Company Limited.
|-
|align=right| 9 || Penguin SIM <br/> <small>(Host operator [[CAT Telecom|CAT]] & [[TOT (Thailand)|TOT]])</small> ||'''3G :''' [[UMTS]]/[[WCDMA]] : B1 2100&nbsp;MHz / B5 850&nbsp;MHz || Closed 2022<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.yozzo.com/industry-news/thai-mvno-penguin-sim-throws-in-the-towel/|title=Thai MVNO Penguin SIM throws in the towel|website=www.yozzo.com|date=26 September 2022|language=en|access-date=2022-10-24}}</ref> <br />300,000<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.yozzo.com/news/thai-telecom/thailands-mvno-market-2016-cat-telecom-penguin-myworld3g/|title=Thailand's MVNO Market 2016 – TOT, 2100MHz, 2300MHz|website=www.yozzo.com|date=3 January 2017|language=en|access-date=2018-12-27}}</ref> (Q3 2018) <br /> 29,690<ref name="bar" /> (EOY 2020) <br />25,578<ref name="foo"/> (EOY 2021) || The WhiteSpace Co.Ltd.
|-
|align=right| 10 || K4 SIM <br><small>(Host operator [[TOT (Thailand)|TOT]])</small> ||'''3G :'''  [[UMTS]]/[[WCDMA]] : B1 2100&nbsp;MHz <br /> '''4G :''' [[LTE-FDD]] : B1 2100&nbsp;MHz <br /> '''4.5G :'''  [[TDD LTE]] : B40 2300&nbsp;MHz || Closed 2025<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mvno.services/mvno-news/nbtc-revokes-k4-sim-mvno-license-amid-fraud-investigation/|title=NBTC Revokes K4 SIM’s MVNO License Amid Fraud Investigation|website=www.mvno.services|language=en|access-date=2025-04-26}}</ref> <br />(License revoked) ||  K4 Communication Co., Ltd.
|-
|align=right| 11 || Feels <br><small>(Host operator [[TOT (Thailand)|TOT]])</small> ||'''3G :'''  [[UMTS]]/[[WCDMA]] : B1 2100&nbsp;MHz <br /> '''4G :''' [[LTE-FDD]] : B1 2100&nbsp;MHz <br /> '''4.5G :'''  [[TDD LTE]] : B40 2300&nbsp;MHz || 4,574<ref name="bar" /> (EOY 2020) <br />26,832<ref name="foo"/> (EOY 2021)||  Feels Telecom Corporation Co., Ltd.
|-
|align=right| 12 || AJ SIM <br><small>(Host operator [[TOT (Thailand)|TOT]])</small> ||'''3G :'''  [[UMTS]]/[[WCDMA]] : B1 2100&nbsp;MHz <br /> '''4G :''' [[LTE-FDD]] : B1 2100&nbsp;MHz <br /> '''4.5G :'''  [[TDD LTE]] : B40 2300&nbsp;MHz || Launched November 2020<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.yozzo.com/news/mvna-mvne-mvno/new-m2m-mvno-aj-sim-launched-in-thailand/|title=New M2M MVNO AJ SIM launched in Thailand|website=www.yozzo.com|date=13 November 2020|language=en|access-date=2021-05-26}}</ref> ||  AJ Advance Technology Pcl.
|-
|align=right| 13 || Redone <br><small>(Host operator [[TOT (Thailand)|TOT]])</small> ||'''3G :'''  [[UMTS]]/[[WCDMA]] : B1 2100&nbsp;MHz <br /> '''4G :''' [[LTE-FDD]] : B1 2100&nbsp;MHz <br /> '''4.5G :'''  [[TDD LTE]] : B40 2300&nbsp;MHz || Launched May 2021<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.yozzo.com/news/mvna-mvne-mvno/redone-has-launched-its-mvno-service-in-thailand/|title=redONE has launched its MVNO service in Thailand|website=www.yozzo.com|date=19 May 2021|language=en|access-date=2021-05-26}}</ref> <br />1,888<ref name="foo"/> (EOY 2021)||  Red One Network (Thailand) Co., Ltd
|}

===Mobile Virtual Network Aggregator (MVNA) / Mobile Virtual Network Enabler (MVNE)===
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), has awarded a Type 1 Mobile Virtual Network Aggregator (MVNA) license to the MVNA and [[Mobile virtual network enabler]] (MVNE) company [https://mvno.services/ MVNO.SERVICE Co., Ltd.]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mvno.services/press-releases/new-joint-venture-to-transform-thailands-mobile-service-sector/|title=New Joint Venture to Transform Thailand’s Mobile Service Sector|website=www.mvno.services|date=27 November 2024|language=en|access-date=2024-12-04}}</ref>

===Numbering===
{{Further|Telephone numbers in Thailand}}
Fixed-line telephone numbers have nine digits, while mobile numbers have ten digits, both including the [[trunk prefix]] "0".
<!----
===Telephone system===
High quality, especially in urban areas such as Bangkok; liberalization, as required by [[World Trade Organization]] commitment, is complete by 2006
*Domestic: [[microwave]] radio relay and multichannel cable; domestic [[satellite]] including new [[iPSTAR]] satellite, so far the heaviest comms satellite in orbit.
*International: Satellite earth stations - 2 [[Intelsat]] (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean)--->

==Radio==
*[[AM radio|AM]]: 204
*[[FM broadcasting|FM]]: 334, shortwave 6 (1999)

There are 13.96 million radios in use (1997). But there were some cases like in this year (2015), expecting there will be more than 25 million radios are in use as of now.

==Television==
{{Main|Television in Thailand|Digital television in Thailand}}

Before the transition to [[digital terrestrial television]], there were six [[free-to-air]] [[analogue television|analogue]] [[terrestrial television|terrestrial]] [[television station]]s in Thailand:

* [[Channel 3 (Thailand)|Channel 3]], operated by [[BEC World]] under concession from [[MCOT]]
* [[Royal Thai Army Radio and Television Channel 5|Channel 5]], operated by the [[Royal Thai Army]]
* [[Channel 7 (Thailand)|Channel 7]], operated by BBTV, under concession from the Army
* [[Channel 9 MCOT HD]], operated by the corporatised state-owned enterprise [[MCOT]]
* [[National Broadcasting Services of Thailand|NBT]], operated by the Thai government (Via The Government Public Relations Department, Office of the Prime Minister of Thailand)
* [[Thai Public Broadcasting Service|Thai PBS]], a statutory public service broadcaster

The transition to [[digital terrestrial television]] began in 2014. The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission arranged an auction for commercial television licenses in December 2013. The spectrum are allocated to four groups of commercial television services: seven [[high-definition television|high-definition]]  general licenses, seven [[standard-definition television|standard-definition]] general licenses, seven news station licenses, and four children-and-family licenses.<ref>{{cite news |title=Digital TV licences fetch B50bn |url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/386972/b50bn-raised-from-digital-tv-auction |newspaper=Bangkok Post |date=2013-12-27 |access-date=2014-08-29 }}</ref> In addition, spectrum are allocated for 12 national public services channels and 12 regional community channels. The commercial licensees began experimental broadcasts on 1 April 2014.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kewaleewongsatorn |first=Saengwit |date=2014-04-17 |title=Digital TV: Clearing up mixed signals |url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/telecom/405235/digital-tv-clearing-up-mixed-signals |newspaper=Bangkok Post |access-date=2014-08-29 }}</ref>

==Internet==
{{main|Internet in Thailand}}

==Submarine cables==
There are five submarine cables used for communications landing in Thailand. Thailand has cable landing points in Satun, Petchaburi and Chonburi.

* [[SEA-ME-WE 3 (cable system)|SEA-ME-WE-3]], [[SEA-ME-WE 4 (cable system)|SEA-ME-WE-4]] linking South East Asia to the Middle East and Western Europe. SEA-ME-WE 4 was operational since 2006.
* [[TIS (cable system)|Thailand-Indonesia-Singapore (TIS)]] operational since December 2003.
* [[APCN (cable system)|APCN]] linking Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Philippines, Taiwan, Korea and Japan. The cable is operational since 1996.
* [[T-V-H (cable system)|Thailand-Vietnam-Hong Kong (T-V-H)]] operational since February 1996.
* [[Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe|Flag Europe-Asia (FEA)]] operational since mid-1990s.

The [[AAG (cable system)|Asia-America Gateway (AAG)]] is under construction and is in service since November 2009.

The [[Asia Pacific Gateway|Asia Pacific Gateway (APG)]], a new submarine cable, is under planning stage and is expected to be operational in Q3 2014.

==Satellite==
{{main|Thaicom}}
'''Thaicom''' is the name of a series of [[communications satellite]]s operated out of [[Thailand]] and the name '''[[Thaicom (Company)|Thaicom Public Company Limited]]''', which is the company that owns and operates the Thaicom satellite fleet and other telecommunication businesses in Thailand and throughout the Asia-Pacific.

The official name of satellite project known as '''THAICOM''' named by '''His Majesty the King Bhumibol Adulyadej''', as a symbol of the linkage between Thailand and modern communications technology.

Thailand-based [[Shin Corporation|Shinawatra Computer and Communications]] Co. Ltd. (now [[InTouch Group]]) signed a US$100 million contract with [[Hughes Aircraft|Hughes]] Space and Communications Company Ltd. in 1991 to launch Thailand's first satellite communications project. The first Thaicom satellite was launched on December 17, 1993. This satellite carried 12 [[C band (IEEE)|C-band]] transponders covering a region from [[Japan]] to [[Singapore]]. Thaksin Shinawatra sold Shin Corporation, which owns 41% of Thaicom Public Company Limited.

==Telecommunications regulatory environment in Thailand==

National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC)<ref name=":0" />

The NRA Organization Act of 2010 established the new National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) in December 2010 as a single converged regulator for the telecoms and broadcasting sectors in Thailand.<ref name=":0">"[http://www.nbtc.go.th/wps/portal/NTC/eng National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission]". www.nbtc.go.th.</ref>

The Telecommunications Business Act of 2001<ref>"[http://www.mict.go.th/download/law/2008-07-16-1216189831.pdf Telecommunications Business Act, B.E. 2544 (2001)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111130233456/http://www.mict.go.th/download/law/2008-07-16-1216189831.pdf |date=2011-11-30 }}" www.mict.go.th</ref> laid down the rules for Thailand's telecommunications industry by requiring telecoms operators to obtain a license from the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC). The Act classifies telecommunication licenses into three categories. 
* Type-one telecom license is for an operator without its own network. 
* Type-two telecom license is for an operator with or without its own network but provides services targeting a segment or even several segments of the public. 
* Type-three telecom license is for an operator with a network that provides services to the general public. 
The 2001 Act was amended in 2006 under the supervision of Prime Minister [[Thaksin Shinawatra]] to allow foreigners to own a larger holding in a Thai telecommunications business.

In 2001, foreigners were not permitted to apply for type-two or type-three licenses under Thailand's Foreign Business Act (FBA).<ref>"[http://www.boi.go.th/index.php?page=legal_issues_for_investors_01_foreign_business_act Foreign Business Act of 1999]". Thailand Board of Investment (BOI)</ref>

The applicant applying for type two and type three licenses must be organizations where Thai nationals hold at least 75% shares and at least three quarters of the applicant's firm directors and the person authorized to sign any binding commitments as a representation of the applicant firm must be Thai nationals.

The 2006 amendments repealed all the additional requirements of an applicant of type-two and type-three licenses, stating foreigners can now hold up to 49% in a telecommunications operator of type-two or type-three; no restrictions on the number of their foreign directors’ representation; and the authorized person signing binding commitments as a representation of the applicant firm can be a foreigner.

The telecoms license fee is composed of three types of fees - permission for license, renewal and an annual fee.

As of June 2013 the NBTC has granted 186 telecoms licensees, listed as follows: 
* 144 type-one licensees 
* 7 type-two licenses without own network 
* 10 type-two licenses with own network 
* 25 type-three licenses

As of December 2018 the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) had issued 58 MVNO licenses,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.yozzo.com/news/thai-telecom/mvno-license-number-58-in-thailand/|title=MVNO license number 58 in Thailand|website=www.yozzo.com|date=24 September 2018|language=en|access-date=2018-12-27}}</ref> however only 9 had launched.

==See also==
{{Portal|Thailand}}
*[[Media of Thailand]]
*[[Censorship in Thailand]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{CIA World Factbook}}

{{Thailand topics}}
{{Asia topic|Telecommunications in}}
{{Telecommunications}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Telecommunications In Thailand}}
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[[Category:Telecommunications in Thailand| ]]