Total Access Communication, the mobile operator of DTAC, is accelerating the expansion of its fourth generation (4G) network to catch up with its smaller rival, True Move, and accommodate surging mobile data demand.
The country's second-largest mobile operator expects its 4G base stations to reach 3,000 by the end of this month, covering 50 districts of Bangkok, said acting chief technology officer Prathet Tankuranun.
DTAC also plans to allocate an additional five megahertz of bandwidth on the 2100-MHz spectrum to provide 4G wireless broadband service, bringing its total bandwidth for 4G to 10 MHz capacity. The company has 15 MHz of bandwidth on the 2100-MHz spectrum, which was initially reserved for providing 3G services.
DTAC has 28.5 million subscribers, 700,000 of whom are 4G customers.
"We aim for our 4G subscribers to top 1.7 million by year-end, helped by greater availability of affordable 4G handsets and attractive 4G packages," said Mr Prathet.
DTAC is providing four free gigabytes of data service to customers who sign up with its 4G service.
He said in the first two months this year mobile internet usage on DTAC's network in Bangkok surged by 137% year-on-year.
DTAC has 25,000 base stations. Of the total, 11,000 serve 2G services on the 1800-MHz spectrum, 11,000 provide 3G service on the 2100- and 850-MHz spectra, and 3,000 are for 4G services.
Mr Prathet said DTAC planned to increase its WiFi hotspots in Bangkok to serve the surge in wireless data demand growth, especially in new malls, universities and new transportation hubs.
True Move aims for its 4G network to cover 80% of the population by April. As of September, it had 800,000 4G subscribers.