Thailand aims to boost MVNO market

The total subscriber base of the country’s existing MVNOs is under 40,000.

Additional mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) are being pushed to be launched in Thailand in a bid to increase options and reduce rates for users.

Thailand’s National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has outlined some urgent policies to be accelerated in 2024 including MVNO-focused policies.

Amongst these policies is the acceleration and implementation of the “One Region, One Mobile Virtual Network Operator” scheme which aims to add at least one MVNO for each of the seven regions in Thailand by 2026.

Plans have been announced for the creation and promotion of an easy-to-connect MVNA/MVNE platform to enable and support the introduction of new MVNOs in the country.

The move is expected to increase options and services for subscribers, and eventually reduce the rates of regional MVNOs by at least 20% compared to plans of the True Corporation and Advanced Info Service (AIS) duopoly. 

The NBTC is also aiming for out-of-area rates and interregional fees that suit the cost of living in such areas to ensure that the two large mobile network operators cannot own more than 25% of shares in a regional MVNO.

Existing MVNOs in Thailand have an estimated combined subscriber base of under 40,000 in a country of nearly 70 million people.