National Telecom (NT), through its newly established subsidiary NT iBuzz, plans to provide 100,000 free public WiFi hotspots across the country by the end of next year.
The WiFi service, which will be launched later this month, can be accessed through Buzz Privilege WiFi platform available in Thai, English and Chinese.
The coverage is projected to expand to 300,000 WiFi hotspots by 2023.
The project is set to replace the previous public free WiFi project called Google Station, which was established through a collaboration between CAT Telecom and Google Thailand. The project went offline on Sept 30, 2020.
Google Station was a Google service that allowed partners to roll out WiFi hotspots in public places by providing software and advice on hardware to turn fibre connections into WiFi.
Mr Somyot said the WiFi service will see a minimum speed of 30 megabits per second for download.
Somyot Tanapirunthorn, senior executive vice-president of NT, said NT iBuzz's shares are 51% held by NT, with the remainder held by a local partner.
NT will provide its spectrum bandwidth for the free WiFi service while the partner deals with operation and marketing under a revenue-sharing basis through the platform.
The WiFi service will see a minimum speed of 30 megabits per second for download.
This platform, which requires only single signing, could benefit users, including tourists, who can continue to use the free WiFi service when they move from place to place without the need to re-register.
Users will be served with security system and back-office support to ward off cyber threats.
"The Buzz Privilege is set with quality service standard and it is available around the clock without charge. This simple and convenient platform comes with various features, including those linked with travel, entertainment, games and marketplaces," said Mr Somyot.
NT and NT iBuzz aim to see the service areas covering key locations, such as communities, markets, shopping malls, universities, hospitals and important public service centres across the country.
The service is scheduled to start by the end of November with 100,000 WiFi hotspots in service by next year, said Mr Somyot. A total of 300,000 WiFi hotspots are targeted by 2023.
"Although the free WiFi service is now available in various public areas under support by major telecom operators and shops, this single-signing system would be beneficial to users who are travelling through various locations," said Mr Somyot.