Thai operators shift beyond connectivity to grow IoT revenue
Rising device subscriptions have not lifted service revenue as low-data IoT connections limit what operators can charge per unit.
Thailand’s telecom operators are expanding beyond basic connectivity as fast growth in internet-of-things subscriptions fails to produce comparable service revenue.
Smart meters, asset trackers, and industrial sensors often consume little data, limiting revenue per connection even as businesses deploy more devices.
“Many of these devices consume only small amounts of data, so the incremental revenue per device tends to be quite low,” GlobalData analyst Pradeepthi Kantipudi said.
The imbalance shows that operators must generate income from services layered on top of connectivity, including device lifecycle management, advanced cybersecurity, data analytics and industry-specific applications.
Thailand’s widespread 5G coverage gives operators a foundation to move up the value chain. AIS already offers vehicle tracking, video analytics, smart mobility and telematics, whilst True Corp is extending IoT-focused 5G services across industrial zones and business districts.
“This collaborative approach lets them deliver much more integrated end-to-end solutions rather than just selling a SIM card or a data plan,” Kantipudi said, referring to partnerships with technology providers, device makers and government agencies.
Operators must still adjust pricing models and respond to changing customer expectations, but the sector is building the capabilities needed to narrow the revenue gap.
Smart-city expansion is also reshaping the role of private operators in public infrastructure. Thailand’s 5G ambulance programme allows ambulances to transmit patient data to hospitals before arrival, helping medical teams prepare earlier and improve emergency care.
Telecom companies are also supporting traffic management, energy and utility optimisation, video surveillance and public alert systems.
“As cities become smarter, operators are stepping into more strategic roles as partners and enablers of digital public services,” Kantipudi said.
The opportunity now depends less on adding connections than on turning digital infrastructure into measurable commercial and social outcomes through long-term public-private partnerships.
That makes service depth more important than connection volume alone for growth.
