Thailand’s Telecom and Pay TV Sectors set for substantial growth

Thailand’s total revenue from telecom and pay-TV services is poised to experience a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.2 percent.

forecast predicts that Thailand’s telecom and Pay-TV revenue will increase from $10.9 billion in 2023 to $12.8 billion in 2028. The driving forces behind this growth are identified in the mobile data and fixed broadband sectors, GlobalData said.

While mobile voice service revenues in Thailand are anticipated to decline, aligning with the continual decrease in mobile voice service average revenue per user (ARPU), the outlook for mobile data services is optimistic.

Mobile data services revenue in Thailand is expected to witness a CAGR of 4.7 percent, propelled by heightened smartphone adoption, an increase in mobile internet subscriptions, and a surge in the consumption of mobile data services, particularly with the growing adoption of high ARPU-yielding 5G services.

The landscape of mobile subscriptions is undergoing a transformation, with 4G services dominating in 2023 in Thailand. However, the report suggests that the ascendancy of 5G subscriptions is imminent, projected to surpass 4G’s share of total mobile subscriptions by 2026. This rapid shift is attributed to escalating demand and the expanding availability of 5G services, coupled with operators’ concerted efforts in 5G network expansion in Thailand.

In the fixed communication services domain, fixed broadband service revenue is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 5.5 percent between 2023 and 2028. This growth will be underpinned by the sustained increase in fiber-to-the-home/business (FTTH/B) broadband subscriptions in Thailand.

Factors such as the growing demand for high-speed broadband connectivity, government initiatives focusing on fiber-optic network expansion, and the gradual phase-out of DSL services will contribute to the ascent of fiber broadband subscriptions in Thailand.

Sarwat Zeeshan, a Telecom Analyst at GlobalData, emphasized that the demand for high-speed broadband connectivity, combined with the government’s commitment to expanding the fiber-optic network, will be pivotal in supporting the growth of fiber broadband subscriptions throughout the forecast period.

The pay-TV services sector in Thailand is also slated for growth, with revenues expected to increase at a CAGR of 5.6 percent. This surge is anticipated due to the substantial growth in Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) subscriptions and a consistent rise in Direct-to-Home (DTH) and cable TV subscriptions.

AIS emerged as the leader in the mobile service segment in 2023, propelled by its strategic focus on mobile network expansions and modernization. AIS has outlined ambitious plans to invest between $800 million and $1.3 billion annually by 2025 in expanding mobile networks and extending 5G service coverage to 85 percent of the country.

Meanwhile, in the fixed voice services segment, NT is expected to maintain its leadership position by subscription share in Thailand, while TrueOnline takes the lead in the fixed broadband market, buoyed by its strong presence in the FTTH segment. TelecomLead