Thailand’s True Corporation will spend 1.5 billion baht ($47.8 million) to expand WiFi coverage in the country in anticipation of increased demand for connectivity.
True Corporation’s WiFi expansion plans include increasing its number of WiFi hotspots to 100,000 by year-end, with 30,000 to 40,000 of these hotspots located outside of Bangkok.
Also on the cards is the provision of seamless switching between WiFi and cellular networks for True’s mobile users.
According to the Bangkok Post, the firm is expecting a 60% increase in WiFi subscribers this year to 1.5 million.
True’s GM for broadband services, Non Ingkutanon, told the Bangkok Post that half of True Corp’s current WiFi users are mobile users but this proportion could hit 80% in time to come.
The company is also conducting trials for WiFi hotspots that provide seamless authentication for users, so customers can switch easily between WiFi and cellular networks. Two such hotspots have been installed by True in Bangkok.
A similar 3G to WiFi offland scheme is on the pipeline for Singapore.