Advanced Info Service (AIS), Thailand's largest mobile operator, is strengthening its service centre network to handle more complex multimedia content and apps stemming from third-generation (3G) services.
The AIS flagship store in CentralWorld was renovated from a regular AIS shop at a cost of 35 million baht. PATTARACHAI PEECHAPANICH
The company debuted its first AIS flagship store in CentralWorld shopping complex yesterday, renovated from a regular AIS shop at a cost of 35 million baht.
The expenditure is part of 2 billion baht earmarked for 2013 to revamp its service centres.
The network will increasingly be geared more towards facilitating smart devices and multimedia data.
Mark Chong Chin Kok, AIS's chief operating officer, said competition in customer service will grow more intense once 3G is fully operational in Thailand.
In the first nine months of this year, the country's telecommunications industry grew by 10% year-on-year, he said.
''The coming of full commercial 3G service is expected to stimulate industry growth next year,'' said Mr Chong.
Mobile penetration stands at 113% in Thailand, with 79 million discrete users in a population of 70 million.
Mr Chong said industry-wide mobile data revenue has surged by 83% on a 50% increase in smartphone sales.
''These figures show that Thais are ready for 3G,'' said Mr Chong, adding that a new era for Thailand's telecoms industry is being ushered in.
Pratthana Leelapanang, the vice-president for wireless marketing, said AIS will spend 2 billion baht next year to revamp its other 46 AIS shops along with its 450 Telewiz shops and 40 Telewiz Plus shops.
''We plan to open a second AIS Flagship Store in Siam Paragon and a third in Nakhon Pathom province,'' he said.
Thailand's mobile content market is expected to be valued at 15 billion baht this year, up by 20-30% from last year.
For AIS, Mr Pratthana said its content revenue rose by 60% year-on-year in the first nine months thanks to the proliferation of smartphones and tablets.
He said the Thai mobile content industry will see a revolution in the 3G era.
''We expect to see a slew of challenges in areas of more varieties of smart devices, applications and 3G tariffs,'' he said.