The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has revealed that the number of mobile telephone subscriptions in Thailand reached 93.7 million this year.
The NBTC said the number of second-generation (2G) users stands at 5.8 million and 3G and 4G users at 42.9 million. The figure is set to increase further as the number of mobile subscribers has jumped 17 percent since the end of 2013.
Out of the total number, Advanced Info Service has the biggest number of subscribers at 23 million, closely followed by DTAC at 20 million.
The number suggests that a typicalThai usually holds more than one phone subscription.
True Move, Thailand’s third-largest mobile phone operator, earlier said it would shut down its 2G mobile service if the company won a spectrum at an auction in August. The decision could push up the number of 3G users in the country.
AIS also recently launched a campaign aimed at increasing the number of 3G users. AIS already has 15 million 2G users in the country. The sale of smartphones under the provider is expected to jump by 5 million this year.
The NBTC said the rising figure prompted the agency to tighten rules on mobile phone service quality, which included signal clarity, fair phone bill round-up and fair pricing of 3G service packages.
Mobile phone subscribers who experience problems with their service are urged to contact the NBTC to lodge complaints, said the agency.
