Thai telco giants slash speeds, data quotas in March shake-up

Higher-tier plans are encouraged through reduced prepaid benefits.

Thai telecommunications operators Advanced Info Service Public Company Limited or ADVANC, and True Corporation reduced internet speeds and data quotas on five prepaid mobile plans in the first week of March 2026, marking their first price-structure adjustment since February 2025.

Maybank Research raised core earnings forecasts for both operators by 1% to 4% for the 2026 and 2027 financial years, as the adjustment aims to increase average revenue per user by encouraging customers to move to higher-tier plans.

Under the new terms, the $4.64 (THB150) plan saw its internet speed cut to 1mbps from 2mbps, whilst the $6.18 (THB200) plan had its data quota reduced to 20GB, below the 32.1-GB average consumption of prepaid subscribers in the final quarter of 2025.

High-definition video streaming now requires a minimum 4 mbps speed, which is available only on the $6.18 (THB200) or $7.73 (THB250) plans.

TRUE expects 35% core profit growth in 2026, supported by $163.8m (THB5.3b) in annual spectrum cost savings and a 6% decline in operating expenses after removing 5,700 towers in 2025.

ADVANC forecasts 12% core profit growth, driven by its mobile and fixed-broadband segments.

External risks include a potential 10% rise in national electricity tariffs, which could reduce core profits by 1% to 3%, and rising fuel prices linked to international conflicts.

Current mobile service spending remains below 2019 levels as a share of GDP per capita.

(THB32.36 = US$1)