Advanced Info Service (AIS) says its fourth-generation (4G) network coverage will almost double to 98% of the population this year, six months ahead of the original plan.
"We aim to be the market leader in terms of 4G subscriber base in 2017," said chief executive Somchai Lertsutiwong.
"We are moving to expand our 4G network rapidly to lift our coverage to reach 98% of the population by year-end, up from 50% currently," he said, adding that the aggressive network expansion is to serve a greater number of 4G subscribers.
Although third-ranked operator True Move was the first to introduce commercial 4G service to the mass market in 2013, one year ahead of AIS, the country's largest mobile operator is confident that it can overtake the leadership position from True Move next year.
True Move has said its 4G network covers 90% of the population.
It holds a combined 55 megahertz of bandwidth on various frequencies, comprising 15MHz on the 2100MHz band, 15MHz on 1800MHz, 10MHz on 900MHz and 15MHz on 850MHz through a partnership contract with concession owner CAT Telecom.
AIS has a combined 40MHz of bandwidth on three frequencies: 15MHz on the 2100MHz band, 15MHz on 1800MHz and 10MHz on 900MHz.
Mr Somchai acknowledged that AIS needs to work harder to take the leadership in the local 4G market because the company has less spectrum bandwidth than True Move.
AIS has allocated 40 billion baht to roll out the 4G network in 2017.
As of March, AIS had 38.9 million subscribers, including 33.5 million prepaid customers and 5.4 million postpaid users.
Of the total, 7 million were 4G subscribers, 26 million 3G customers and the rest 2G users.
"We expect the number of our 4G subscribers to reach 10 million by year-end," Mr Somchai said.
Kittinut Tikawan, group chief commercial officer of True Corporation, said True Move will expand its 4G network coverage to 98% of the population by year-end.
As of March, True Move had 20.4 million subscribers, including 15.3 million prepaid customers and 5.1 million postpaid users.
True Move has 4.5 million 4G subscribers.