Ongoing
Key Development
Restructuring of Major Shareholders: Intouch Holdings Public Company Limited and Gulf Energy Development Public Company Limited have announced a merger to restructure their shareholding. The objective is to simplify the shareholding structure and integrate the expertise and resources of both companies to enhance business expansion opportunities and generate sustainable returns for shareholders. This restructuring is not intended to acquire or change control of ADVANC in any way.
Issued Thailand’s first Sustainability Bond in the telecommunications industry, comprising five tranches offered to institutional and retail investors. The bond, rated AAA (tha), was fully subscribed, raising THB 25 billion. The proceeds will be used to refinance existing investments in sustainability-related projects, such as 5G network expansion and energy efficiency improvements.
Partnered with Oracle, a global cloud infrastructure provider, to enhance AIS Cloud’s capabilities to a Hyperscale Cloud level while ensuring compliance with Thailand’s data residency regulations (Sovereign Cloud). This collaboration enables enterprise customers to seamlessly access hyperscale cloud services, accelerating their digital transformation.
2023
Key Development
Acquired Triple T Broadband Public Company Limited and a 19% stake in Jasmin Broadband Internet Infrastructure Fund (JASIF). The merger was completed on November 15, 2023, placing AIS as a leader in fixed broadband internet service with 4.7 million subscribers nationwide and the network access to over 13.3 million households.
Transferred a 15-year license in the 700 MHz frequency band (2x5 MHz) from National Telecom Public Company Limited (NT) in October 2023. This license was granted since 2021 and shall expire on March 31, 2036. The 700 MHz will enable AIS expansion of the 5G network to efficiently cover suburban areas and in high-rise buildings, and to increase network capacity to accommodate the genuine growth of 5G usages.
Entered into contractual agreements with National Telecom Public Company Limited (NT) for a network equipment rental on NT’s 700 MHz spectrum to NT by constructing a total number of 13,500 base stations across the country. AWN, AIS’ subsidiary, is also obliged to provide roaming service for NT for 13 years in exchange for the rental and roaming fees from NT as specified in the contract.
Received Microsoft Best Partner of the Year 2023 award for the second consecutive year and was the only award recipient in Thailand. Microsoft presented the award to its world-class partners that successfully delivered distinguish innovative services based on Microsoft technologies to customers. The award was selected from Microsoft’s 3,900 partners in over 100 countries across the world.
Entered into a cooperative agreement with the Federation of Thai Industries with the goal to support the operations of small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises to develop new capabilities, reduce operating cost, and enhance efficiency of production processes and machinery. This encompasses the areas of precision enhancement, analytics, measurements, and monitoring using IoT technology enhanced with AIS 5G Manufacturing Platform solutions on the Paragon Platform.
Signed an MOU between AIS and PTTGC to jointly build model organizations committed to conducting business sustainably. The goals would be achieved through the intelligence network capabilities coupled with green technological solutions to tackle environmental issues in a holistic manner. This is to mutually grow the business sustainably along with sustaining the environment and society as good corporate citizens.
Joined forces with Gulf and Singtel to push forward the construction of a 20MW-data Center in Samut Prakan under a joint venture company named GSA Data Center Co.,Ltd (GSA). The new data center is designed to use clean energy, efficiently managed energy, and feature a data storage system with the highest security to address the needs of corporate clients and cloud service providers both locally and overseas. It is scheduled to begin operating commercially in 2025.
2022
Key Development
Signed an MOU with NCS Telco+ to support digital transformation in Thailand. For its part, NCS supported AIS’ digital transformation efforts through synergistic collaboration in such technologies as 5G, IoT, Cloud, and Cyber Security which complemented AIS’ strengths as the leader in the country’s digital infrastructure and enhanced the Company’s capabilities to support organizations in Thailand to materialize their commitments toward digital transformation.
Entered into a strategic collaboration agreement with ZTE to build an advanced 5G network through the A-Z Center to elevate the Company to an intelligent telecommunications organization. The objectives were to raise quality and deliver excellent service experience to customers. The agreement also aimed to develop innovations to put Thailand at the forefront of the digital economy through cooperation in three areas:
- Developing 5G innovations in infrastructure and solutions.
- Upgrading 5G network to an intelligent digital network through big data processing and AI.
- Expanding 5G capabilities to elevate the industrial sector.
Received Microsoft Best Partner of the Year 2022 award, presented by Microsoft to its world-class partners that successfully delivered class-above innovative services based on Microsoft technologies to customers. The award was selected from Microsoft’s 3,900 partners in over 100 countries worldwide.
Purchased shares in three startups from Intouch to enhance AIS’ business potential in providing digital services to customers. This helped expand and consolidated AIS’ core business in line with the Company’s business direction to become a digital life service provider.
Established a subsidiary, AIS DC Venture Co.,Ltd, and entered into a joint development agreement of a data center business with Gulf Energy Development Public Company (GULF) and Singapore Telecommunications Limited (Singtel) to keep pace with growth and accommodate the needs for digital infrastructure in Thailand.
Joined hands with SCG and Huawei as well as incorporated the expertise of the two partners, Yutong and Waytous, to develop an unmanned system for logistics applications over an intelligent 5G network (private network) to operate electric engine trucks transporting raw materials to the factories in the SCG industrial estate in Saraburi according to the route planning. The move aligned with the efforts to develop future industry using digital technologies along with contributing to environmental sustainability.
Launched AIS CloudX, an intelligent cloud ecosystem, that allows businesses to develop cloud infrastructure as well as applications and solutions requiring high-speed processing for mission critical tasks and those demanding low latency. The Company also teamed with VMware as Southeast Asia’s first provider of a sovereign cloud service to ensure maximum security standards while reducing costs and complexity in system design. The service enables the business sector to achieve digital transformation in pursuit of potential enhancement and business agility and to cope with unpredictable changes that may arise.
2021
Key Development
Granted licenses in the 700 MHz frequency band (2X10 MHz and 2X5 MHz in width) from NBTC in January 2021, and April 2021, respectively for a term of 15 years. The 700 MHz is the standard frequency range for a low-band 5G marked with better coverage, enabling AIS to expand its 5G network to cover wide areas.
Obtained a license in the 26 GHz frequency band (1200 MHz in width) in February 2021 for a 15-year term. This millimeter-wave band meets the capacity requirements of the 5G network and allows for a high speed data transfer rate of gigabits per second (Gbps), which is vital for various applications that require high-speed and stable data rates with a low latency of 1 millisecond.
Partnered with Microsoft (Thailand) Limited to develop and provide cloud services in three key areas:
- Driving digital solutions by promoting the use of cloud service solution.
- Upgrading AIS employees’ digital skills by equipping them with Microsoft’s in-depth digital technology skills.
- Developing innovations for businesses, using efficient solutions appropriate for each type of business.
Appointed as an official distributor of Disney + Hotstar streaming service which has gained wide acceptance in Thailand, Asia, and worldwide to deliver class-above entertainment experience encompassing a diverse range of content for audiences of all ages in Thailand.
Joined forces in a joint venture deal with Siam Commercial Bank to establish AISCB to offer digital financial services via online platforms, providing customers with easier access to financial services with AIS holding a 50% stake worth 300 million Baht in the new venture.
2020
Key Development Towards Sustainable Growth
Won the 5G auction across the spectrum including low-band: 700 MHz (2X5 MHz), mid-band: 2600 MHz (100 MHz), and high-band: 26 GHz (1200 MHz). 5G NSA licensed service (non-standalone) was launched in February 2020 nationwide in the 2600 MHz frequency band. 5G SA (standalone) service that is not dependent on an existing 4G network was subsequently introduced in July 2020.
Invested in the Singapore-based Digital Gaming International PTE in a joint venture with Singapore Telecommunications Ltd. and SK Telecom Co.,Ltd. of South Korea, each holding a stake of 33.33% worth 10,000,000 Singapore Dollars (226,500,000 Baht) to provide a gaming content platform, using AI technology and access to e-sports contents.
Established Saha Advanced Network Co.,Ltd (SAN), a joint venture with Saha Pathana Inter-Holding Public Company Limited, with a stake of 70% valued at 21 million Baht. The joint venture is designed to provide a fiber optic network and ICT infrastructure to enhance the operational efficiency of businesses in SPI Industrial Park, spanning 7,255 rais of land. A 5G solution will also be incorporated to maximize operational efficiency.
up LearnDi Company Limited (LDI), a 99.99% subsidiary of AIS with a capital investment of 1,000,000 Baht to provide training and seminar service through online and e-learning platform.
