2013-03-20 12:14:28 - New Fixed Networks research report from Business Monitor International is now available from Fast Market Research

BMI View: Thailand's telecoms market is characterised by a mobile market approaching saturation, a fixed market in decline since 2007 and a very low broadband penetration rate. While growth opportunities exist, particularly in the broadband sector, the heavy degree of state control and ineffectual regulation of the telecoms sector to date, coupled with political uncertainty and the economic fallout from the 2011 floods and weak global economy, do not, in our view, present a favourable investment climate.

Key Data

* Mobile subscriber growth has slowed considerably, although strong competition in the newly opened 3G market appeared to lead to an abnormally high number of net additions in Q412. We foresee 3G/4G cannibalising the existing mobile user base, rather than adding new

customers.
* Price competition is exerting downwards pressure on mobile ARPU and, although subscriber mixes are improving, there is a high proportion of prepaid customers, which weighs on ARPU growth.
* The broadband market supports three competitors but requires significant investment in infrastructure if penetration is to beat our current forecast of 7.7% by 2017.
* The fixed-line market is stagnating and we expect it will decline by an average of 3% annually over the forecast period, bringing penetration to 7.6% in 2017.


Full Report Details at
- www.fastmr.com/prod/552403_thailand_telecommunications_report_q2 ..


Key Trends And Developments

The government and the regulator have shrugged off criticisms that the auction of 3G licences in October 2012 - which saw existing operators True, AIS and DTAC secure new concessions - was compromised by collusion among bidders and unrealistically low starting prices. The auction raised THB41.7bn (US $1.36bn), just 2.8% above the government's reserve price and 30% lower than the regulator had anticipated. The operators are now in possession of their licences and are pressing ahead with plans to launch services later in 2013.

Meanwhile, the regulator is amending aspects of the regulatory system relating to pricing of mobile services and charges associated with the termination of calls on and off the mobile networks. Reduced costs will give the operators more leeway in investing in new infrastructure and developing new locally relevant content, applications and services, which will be crucial in establishing the new 3G networks and encouraging consumers to spend more on non-voice products.

Thailand remains in 12th position in BMI's latest Risk/Reward Ratings for the Asian telecoms sector, staying ahead of Pakistan. However, the score relating to industry rewards has been revised downwards as Q312 data showed slower than expected mobile subscriber growth and further contraction in blended ARPU levels. Meanwhile, all components of the country's telecoms rating score are still well below the regional average.

Partial Table of Contents:

BMI Industry View
SWOT
- Mobile
- Wireline
- Table: Wireline SWOT
- Political
- Economic
- Business Environment
Industry Forecast
- Mobile
- Table: Telecoms Sector - Mobile - Historical Data & Forecasts
- ARPU
- Table: Telecoms Sector - ARPU - Historical Data & Forecasts (THB/month)
- Fixed Line
- Table: Telecoms Sector - Fixed Line - Historical Data & Forecasts
- Broadband
- Table: Telecoms Sector - Internet - Historical Data & Forecasts
Industry Risk Reward Ratings
- Asia Pacific Risk/Reward Ratings
- Table: Asia Pacific Telecoms Risk/Reward Ratings Q2 2013
- Thailand
Market Overview
- Mobile
- Regional Perspective
- Table: Thailand Mobile Market Regional Comparisons, 2012
- Key Developments
- Mobile Growth
- Market Shares
- Table: Thai Mobile Market, Q312
- Usage
- MVNOs
- Mobile Content
- Mobile Operator Data
- Table: Thailand Market Overview
- Table: AIS
- Table: DTAC
- Table: True
- Asia Pacific Mobile Content
- Fixed Line
- Broadband
- Table: Thai Broadband Market, Q312
- True Online
- TOT
- Triple T
- CAT Telecom
- WiMAX
- Public Wi-Fi
- Pay-TV
Industry Trends And Developments
- 3G Licences
- Networks
Regulatory Development
- Regulatory Environment
- Table: Thailand's Regulatory Bodies And Their Responsibilities
Competitive Landscape
- Table: Key Players - Thai Telecoms Sector
- Table: Selected Operators' Financial Results (US$mn)
Company Profile
- TOT
- True Corporation
- Advanced Info Service (AIS)
- DTAC
Regional Overview
- Vendor Profile
- Table: ZTE Product Portfolio
- Financial Performance
- Table: Major Telecoms Equipment Vendor Revenue (US$mn)
- Moving Beyond Key Markets
- Table: ZTE Asia Developments
Demographic Forecast
- Thailand Demographic Data
- Table: Thailand's Population By Age Group, 1990-2020 ('000)
- Table: Thailand's Population By Age Group, 1990-2020 (% of total)
- Table: Thailand's Key Population Ratios, 1990-2020
- Table: Thailand's Rural And Urban Population, 1990-2020
Glossary
- Table: Glossary Of Terms
Methodology
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Full Table of Contents is available at:
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