BANGKOK, 18 May 2011 – Mobile phone network operators in Thailand are enjoying skyrocketing profits as the overall income last year was mainly boosted by the expansion of smartphone market, according to the National Telecommunications Commission.
The combined earnings of all mobile phone network operators for 2010 were concluded at 220 billion baht, up 7% year-on-year. AIS reportedly earned 111.280 billion baht with 31.2 million mobile phone numbers. Average monthly income per phone number was 240 baht.
Revenues for DTAC were reported at 72.351 billion baht, with 21.6 million mobile phone numbers, each spending an average of 215 baht a month. Revenues for Truemove were 30.960 billion baht with 17.2 million phone numbers. Average monthly income per one number was 105 baht.
As for 2010’s dividend payments to shareholders, AIS has announced that it will pay 12.92 dividend per share, which include 6.92 baht for 2010 in annual dividend payments plus special payments of 6 baht per share. The company expects to pay 9.5 baht dividend per share this year.
Meanwhile, DTAC paid 3.21 baht per share in annual dividend and special dividend of 0.56 baht per share. The company expects to pay no less than 4 baht dividend per share this year.
The rising revenue has been attributed to the economic revival in the fourth quarter last year and the popularity of the mobile online society plus the smartphone trend. Service fees and online applications were also key revenue generators.
