True Move adds record number of new users

Bangkok Post (23 November 2007)

True Move, the mobile phone service arm of True Corporation, yesterday announced a record 2.1 million new subscribers for the third quarter, bringing its total customer base to 11.2 million. Service revenues for the quarter reached 8.39 billion baht, up 44.1% over the same quarter last year.

Suphakit Vuntanadit, True Corp's marketing and customer experience relationship manager, attributed the success to the parent company's convergence strategy.

True operates fixed lines in Bangkok and also TrueVisions pay TV, home of the highly popular True Academy Fantasia reality show, which features SMS voting. TrueVisions' acquisition of exclusive rights for live telecasts of the English Premier League for three consecutive seasons also help all of the group's businesses.

Net additions for the third quarter represented 70% of the total net additions across the cellular industry. True Move's market share of mobile phone subscribers now stands at 22.8%, he said.

During the third quarter, supplementary and non-voice services generated strong income, with revenue from non-voice services increasing to 648 million baht, up 10% compared to last year.

The Thai mobile communications market has reached 50.1 million users, representing 77% of the overall population. In the third quarter of 2007, True Move subscribers accounted for 22.8% of the entire market, a 19.6% increase over the previous quarter.

He also forecast that next year operators would shift from a price war to a retention war in order to retain customers for as long as possible. The move was designed to adapt themselves with the interconnection charge in which each operator would focus on either low rates or free calls within the network.

True Move, he said, would deliver a diverse range of services that are different from those of its competitors.

In the last quarter of 2007, True Move will continue implementing its core strategy of providing the best value for consumers together with Convergence Lifestyle strategies.

A wide range of exclusive activities and campaigns will be introduced to boost the recognition of _ and loyalty toward _ True Move's offerings. This would allow the company to maintain market share and increase its new subscriber base to account for one-third of the net additions market, in line with the company's target, Mr Suphakit said.