AIS Fibre, a fixed broadband internet provider under Advanced Info Service, aims to become the third largest operator in Thailand next year with its market share projected to rise from 12% to 14%.
The company expects to see 20% growth in the AIS Fibre household subscription base next year, from 1.35 million by the end of this year, driven by its strategy to capture family demand for high-speed internet in the digital era.
Kitti Ngarmchatetanarom, the newly appointed head of fixed broadband at AIS, said new subscribers in the third quarter increased by 4.4% year-on-year, besting market growth of 1.2%.
Thai users are habituated to constant internet connection both at home and outside, especially since dealing with the pandemic this year, he said.
Despite the risk factors related to the pandemic, growth has been outstanding both in terms of revenue and customer numbers, said Mr Kitti.
The fixed broadband internet service market continues to grow every year, he said.
In 2015, there were 6.23 million total household broadband internet subscribers. The number rose to 7.2 million in 2016 and 8.2 million in 2017, 9.2 million in 2018 and 10.1 million in 2019. The number is expected to reach 11 million by the end of this year.
AIS Fibre, which launched its services in 2015, saw 40,000 household subscribers covered across 12 provinces that first year. The number then rose to 300,000 in 2016, 520,000 in 2017, 730,000 in 2018 and 1.04 million last year.
As of September this year, it had 1.26 million subscribers, expected to surge to 1.35 million by year-end. AIS Fibre services have covered all 77 provinces since early 2020.
"In 2021, the company plans to reach the top three in the broadband internet market with minimum growth of 20% for the user base," said Mr Kitti.
The top three leaders in the market are True Internet Corp, Triple Three (3BB) and state telecom enterprise TOT, respectively.
He said AIS Fibre wants to expand its service coverage to suburban areas in each province and broaden distribution channels by working with multiple partners, including Jmart, TG, Powerbuy, PowerMall and iStudio.
In the post-pandemic era, the segment is expected to see growth of streaming apps and more mobile devices in households. Mr Kitti said the 5G network roll-out could affect fixed broadband internet business, but they are different target markets. The wireless service meets demand for personal use, while fixed broadband internet mainly draws on family demand.