Thailand’s telecom service revenues are set to grow at a CAGR of 2.7% over the period 2017-22 driven by increased mobile and fixed broadband adoption, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company. At the same time, traditional fixed and mobile voice revenues will decline due to price reductions and a shift towards IP/OTT-based communications.
The company’s latest report, Thailand: Country Intelligence Report states that mobile data revenues will see considerable growth in line with rising average revenue per user (ARPU) as a result of growing adoption of 4G/4.5G services and higher-value data-centric plans. Fixed broadband revenues will grow at fastest rate over 2017-22, driven by steady increase in Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) and cable Internet subscriptions, projected rise in adoption of fiber-to-the-x (FTTx) services and steadily rising broadband ARPU.
Sandeep Kolakotla, Telecom Markets Analyst at GlobalData, says: “Mobile operators are increasing their spending on LTE/LTE-A network improvements, expanding 4G/4.5G services, and offering higher-value data centric plans to drive mobile data revenues. The planned spectrum allocation in 850MHz and 1800MHz bands by May 2018 will additionally enable operators to improve both 4G coverage and speed.”
Similarly, many fixed service operators are undertaking fiber network expansions and offering multi-play service bundles in order to drive fixed broadband revenues. The government support for rural connectivity via fiber with planned rollout of fiber broadband services with minimum 10Mbps speed to 3,920 villages across 62 provinces by mid-2018 will also lend traction to the fixed broadband market over the forecast period.
Meanwhile, Pay-TV service revenues in Thailand will decline at a negative CAGR of -0.05% over the reporting period due to a massive decline in cable TV connections and slowing Direct-to-Home (DTH) service adoption. Internet Protocol television (IPTV) subscriptions will grow backed by operator convergence strategies and broadband rollouts. However, considerable fall in IPTV ARPU and growing competition from over-the-top (OTT) video services will be major challenges for Thailand’s Pay-TV market growth.
About GlobalData
4,000 of the world’s largest companies, including over 70% of FTSE 100 and 60% of Fortune 100 companies, make more timely and better business decisions thanks to GlobalData’s unique data, expert analysis and innovative solutions, all in one platform. GlobalData’s mission is to help our clients decode the future to be more successful and innovative across a range of industries, including the healthcare, consumer, retail, financial, technology and professional services sectors.
