True Online, the broadband internet arm of True Corporation, is increasing the country's minimum broadband speeds for home internet access to 15 megabits per second (Mbps).
The move by the country's largest high-speed fixed-line broadband service provider aims to lift demand for higher internet speeds, especially for streaming content such as video on demand and peer-to-peer file downloads.
"All existing 1.94 million customers using True's broadband internet service will be immediately upgraded for no extra cost to 15 Mbps," said Manat Manavutiveth, chief commercial officer of True Online.
The 15-Mbps package costs 599 baht a month, the same monthly fee of those who signed up for 10-Mbps plan. The company says it can provide broadband service of up to 200 Mbps for 4.4 million households nationwide.
Mr Manat said True gained 72,111 new broadband subscribers in the second quarter, a record high since its inception.
The company expects 300,000 more subscribers this year, bringing the total to 2.2 million.
"We project our broadband revenue to grow by 30% this year," said Mr Manat.
True has over a 50% share in the local fixed broadband market nationwide, and 65% in Bangkok.
True Online reported 14 billion baht in revenue from internet service last year, up 17% from 2012.
Mr Manat said the company plans to spend 5 billion baht on expanding its network this year. True provides broadband internet via three core networks: copper line, cable line, the so-called DOCSIS 3.0 version, and fibre-optic line.
Some 60% of its internet traffic runs through copper lines, with the rest on cable lines, he said.
DOCSIS 3.0 and FTTX networks can increase internet speed from 1.6 to 10 gigabits per second, though FTTX investment is likely to cost three times more than DOCSIS 3.0.
Mr Manat said FTTX is meant for large companies that demand high-quality service and speed. "We believe our internet traffic on DOCSIS will reach 60% of the total the next two years due to its higher speed capacity."