Deploy your AIS-3BB Fiber3 strategy to challenge competitors and revolutionize the home Internet battlefield | Prachachat Turakij

The business combination application process has concluded between Advanced Wireless Network Company Limited or AWN, a subsidiary of Advanced Info Service Public Company Limited or AIS, and Triple Three Broadband Company Limited or 3BB, and they have come together to name a new brand combining the names AIS Fiber and 3BB. They will become AIS-3BB Fibre3 and become one of the four business branches of AIS that include the mobile business, enterprise customers and digital solutions services. High speed home based internet business

In the broadband or home Internet space, this combination gives AIS-3BB Fiber3 a total customer base of 4.6 million.

Next plans and goals for AIS-3BB Fiber3 in the competitive battlefield of the home Internet market. What will it be like under Thee Siampornroj, former CFO of AIS who will take over as CEO of the company and the journey of this business?

Accelerate the expansion of digital infrastructure

“Somchai Lertsotheong” The CEO of Advanced Info Service Public Company Limited (AIS) said that the purchase of 3BB aims to expand infrastructure that will serve users who already have very strong mobile services, while fixing broadband or broadband Internet does so in just 9 years. You have moved to second place. When combined it gives faster coverage. It can scale better

This makes the goal of developing digital infrastructure for the Thai people faster. Whether in terms of adding benefits for 3BB and AIS customers, whether it is using a shared service center. And also the offer “mobile SIM card” is really powerful, etc., but it does not set a goal to attract home Internet customers to use mobile phones. It mainly depends on customer needs. There will also be advanced services to make better use of them. Whether it’s used for gaming, when used for business or otherwise, just having a little extra cost will better meet customers’ needs.

“It will not only be home customers who will experience more digital experiences than before. But it will also include small entrepreneurs or SMEs that AIS is trying to expand its services to. Being able to take advantage of new innovations and tools that will It helps in creating a competitive advantage. Including government organizations that will greatly benefit from network integration and expansion. Especially smart city projects, smart CCTV, etc., ultimately, all of them will lead to the growth of the shared economy or ecosystem economy.

Look at NBTC measures.

The process of requesting permission from the Broadcasting Corporation and the National Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) is already in accordance with the law. AIS is examining the circumstances. And the specific measures for NBTC after the merger for the most part should not be a problem. It can be implemented according to everyone but there may be some objections, such as the procedure that AIS-3BB must invest 10 billion baht in networks in remote areas within 5 years, i.e. 2000 million baht per year, which may interfere with the USO project (services Global basic communications). and NBTC social services

As for ACE, there is already an average investment of 3-5 billion baht per year in telecommunications for home Internet. There is not a problem. But in remote areas, as for the private sector, there is still cause for concern. Because besides the lack of agents it also interferes with the principles of the USO.

“The other part that needs to be clearly clarified with NBTC is the price of the minimum basic package. Which should be maintained for 5 years with no price increases and the original package maintained without any problems but it is not clear because the price of the basic package is different in every region and every customer.” “It should be clearly labeled and identified for NBTC to maintain, if you look at it, it should be 499 internet package 300/300 Mbps, 90 days to object and clarify, otherwise no problems.”

Clear the online battlefield at home

“Here’s to you, Siampornrog.” The AIS-3BB Fiber3 leader discussed the state of the home internet market of 22 million households in Thailand. Currently, home Internet penetration is only 50%, so there is still a lot of room for marketing.

While 3BB is strong in terms of network. When combined, it covers 77 provinces, 923 districts and 5,849 sub-districts, and has the capacity to support more than 9.5 million service outlets, but there is still room to add communication outlets to support more than 13 million households.

“The market right now is not what it was during the coronavirus. Everyone is back home, working from home, and now the situation is back to normal. Many people have canceled their home internet contracts. But if we wonder if it can still… Growing? It can still grow. Broadband, when going to customers, has to be dragged all the way to their homes. Therefore there are additional investment plans to expand the network or add ports. This must be taken into account on a region-by-region basis and especially the expansion rate Urban usually people are not in one place all the time.So, the target is expected to grow by around 5-10% as well.

However, at the beginning of the business combination, though, they tried to allow old customers of both AIS and 3BB to use the service together. But the income issue may still not be able to replace income. Therefore, we should give the team enough time to explore the business first. Because in the past it was undeniable that 3BB’s operating results were still tiring. The network rent is relatively high. Therefore, we should require more time to coordinate cooperation.

Enhance to meet customer needs

Tee said 3BB has approximately 6,000 employees, including technicians, service staff and sales teams, and will not be affected. Because you still have to care about your customers like before. The service center will be able to provide services to AIS-3BB customers, and another part is asset management. Whether or not the network poles and others owned by 3BB will be sold to the JASIF fund is still under consideration. But AIS’s financial situation is very stable.

“The competition in the home Internet market has changed. Although we know that we can expand our network to cover all customers. But I still do not know how long it will take. What we know and can control is that instead of delivering Internet to homes we will take care of customers. Getting Started From within the house, i.e. looking for additional services to add value. Competition is like this. But it depends on who can promise more. Who will believe this more? Who can lead the organization on this path together?

The AIS-3BB Fibre3 leader also explains that FibreLAN technology can increase speeds to 1 Gbps in every room in the house. The answer is entirely because Thai houses have two floors instead of what may already be present in the house. There may be a weak signal on another floor or another room. But if you increase the service to two signal transmission points, slightly increasing the service fee will meet your needs better than before, and so on.

“We price aggressively to get the price right. Or for business customers, we have a cloud computer to make it easier for corporate customers and everyone at home. Reasonably priced as well and there are even packages designed specifically for small and medium businesses, with network security and much more. Home today It is not just a place to live. But it is an area of ​​opportunities. Especially SMEs, merchants and home Internet. Therefore, we have to think more to answer this question. This allows customers to get the service at the right price and quality. That each region or that each consumer has different needs. “It depends on who can answer the question the most. Ultimately it’s up to the consumer.”