AIS was granted a 20-year BTO concession in 1990 by the former Telephone Organization of Thailand (TOT) to operate a nationwide 900-MHz cellular network and provide aftersales services to the public, a concession that was to also include later in 1994, the digital GSM network. Two years later, the concession was extended to 25 years. Meanwhile, AIS’ subsidiary, Digital Phone Co., Ltd. (DPC) was also granted a BTO concession in 1996, this one to operate a nationwide 1800-MHz cellular network by the Communications Authority of Thailand (CAT).

Such concessions came not as the result of fortune, but from a company culture of dynamic leadership, and the provision of first-class services and networks that the public could trust.

Prepaid and
Postpaid products
AIS’ products can be broadly categorised into two main product types, postpaid and prepaid — the latter offering greater communication freedom to customers under the now well-known One-2-Call brand. Products under this category do away with the traditional registration and monthly subscription fee, and make use of the easy-to-use, easy-to-buy refill cards, available at outlets all around the country or the electronic refill service, at almost all ATM machines. Products in the prepaid category comprise the more traditional cellular phone subscription services, for which customers are required to register, and to pay a monthly subscription fee and for per-minute usage.

Highly-acclaimed company
AIS is not new to praise, having won high approval ratings by several renowned publications, not least…

January 2002
• Asia Money Magazine—
Ranked AIS “best managed company in Thailand”, and number one in seven other categories, including: overall best investor relations, corporate governance, management of finance, best annual report, investor relations, corporate strategy and treatment of minority shareholders.

• Finance Asia Magazine —
Ranked AIS “best managed company in Thailand”, and number one in four other categories, including: company most committed to corporate governance, best investor relations, strongest commitment to enhancing shareholder value, best financial management and best C.F.O.
• Far Eastern Economic Review Magazine — Ranked AIS number two in two separate categories:
high-quality Service and product and Financial Soundness.

October 2002
• Asia Money Magazine — Awarded AIS the Corporate Governance: Company Self Assessment Award for the Best internal assessment.

Proud to work at AIS
AIS’ 3,275 employees are proud to work for a company like AIS, where good corporate governance, vision and responsibility on the part of the board and management, are a real priority.