Tracing 25 Years of Telenor: From providing mobile connectivity to a Mission of propelling Thailand towards the Digital Economy Future
Telenor Asia, one of our premium members, is celebrating 25 years in Thailand. Telenor Asia has played a pivotal role in transforming mobile connectivity from a luxury into a necessity, helping build one of Southeast Asia’s most connected societies. Over two decades ago, owning a mobile phone in Thailand was considered a luxury. High call charges, limited network coverage, and numerous barriers for those living outside major cities meant connectivity was far from universal, and participation in the digital world was a privilege enjoyed by only a select few.
Today, Thailand stands among the most connected nations in Southeast Asia, with universal mobile coverage and some of the highest mobile internet usage rates in the region. As a result, smartphones have become indispensable tools for work, learning, business, and everyday life for millions of Thais.
This profound transformation did not happen by chance. It was driven by improved connectivity, a focus towards customer needs and building awareness and skills, with key players like Telenor Asia playing a crucial role.
Over its 25 years of operations in Thailand, Telenor, through its investments in dtac and True Corporation, drove the nation’s major technological transition – from 2G networks to the adoption of 3G, 4G and 5G. This shift laid the foundation for a mobile-first economy, enabling more Thais to access mobile technology and accelerating the country’s move toward a fully digital society.
From the First Signal to a Network Powering the Nation
A pivotal turning point that made mobile connectivity more accessible and affordable for all Thais was Telenor’s acquisition of an ownership stake in dtac in 2000. Back then, mobile penetration stood at 22 percent. From there, the company has continuously evolved—transitioning from a traditional network provider to a key enabler accelerating Thailand’s transformation into a fully data-driven society.
dtac introduced the concept of “Mobile for All” to ensure equal access to communication for everyone. This included launching affordable prepaid SIM cards and shifting from per-minute to per-second billing—significantly reducing costs. These changes enabled millions of Thais, especially in the northern and northeastern regions, to use a mobile phone for the first time in their lives.
Telenor then continued laying the foundation for telecommunications services in Thailand, supporting dtac’s rise as a national brand under the vision of “Internet for All.” This vision aimed to provide not just connectivity but equal access to information for all segments of Thai society.
This vision began with expanding 3G network coverage nationwide, coupled with offering affordable Internet services. According to the Secretariat of the Cabinet, in 2016, Thailand had almost 75,000 villages, yet over 40% lacked sufficient telecommunications infrastructure, and around 7% — approximately 5,000 remote villages—had no mobile or Internet signals.
This marked the beginning of a new era of connectivity—one that not only transformed how people communicated, but also opened doors to greater opportunities, from better jobs and access to education to essential services in the digital economy.
Driving Digital Transformation and Building a Secure Society
With mobile internet becoming widely available, farmers in the North, Northeast, and South could check real-time weather forecasts through mobile applications for the first time, helping them plan their crops with greater accuracy. Small and medium-sized businesses began selling products and promoting services online, reducing their dependence on physical shopfronts and large capital investments.
While these capabilities may seem commonplace today, at the time, they represented a major breakthrough, opening doors to new opportunities. This was especially evident during the COVID-19 pandemic when the importance of connectivity became undeniable. Online learning emerged as a lifeline, enabling students in remote areas to access lessons comparable to those in urban schools using just a smartphone or tablet. It underscored the transformative role of connectivity—not just in changing behaviours but in enhancing equality.
High-speed internet connectivity allowed for flexible remote work, especially for younger generations and digital workers who can now collaborate with companies in Bangkok or even overseas in real time. It has also been a major driver of Thailand’s content creator market, estimated to be worth 45 billion baht in 2024 by Tellscore, up by 25% year-on-year.
Developing Skills and Driving Inclusive Growth
At the heart of Thailand’s digital economy is a vibrant digital ecosystem that actively nurtures and empowers start-ups to innovate and scale. Dtac also placed strong emphasis on Health, Safety, Security, and Environment (HSSE) practices across its supply chain, aligning with international standards and Telenor’s governance principles. Through its Supplier Conduct Principles (SCP), dtac required local and international suppliers to uphold high HSSE standards, human rights, and ethical business practices.
A New Chapter with True Corporation
In 2023, Telenor Asia and CP Group joined forces to merge dtac with True Corporation, creating Thailand’s leading telecom-tech company. With a combined enterprise value of about USD20 billion, the merger is the largest in the telco industry in Southeast Asia. The objective was to create a new telecom-tech champion that could enable economic growth in Thailand, driven by digital transformation.
As a major shareholder with a 30.3% stake, Telenor Asia plays a key role in shaping True Corporation’s strategic direction and governance. Two years into the merger, True has witnessed stable and sustainable growth from combining the strengths of both organisations. Looking ahead, True is embarking on the next phase of growth with three strategic missions: focusing on customers, leveraging technology, and empowering teams. True aims to build a brand that is trusted and offers unmatched customer experience; develop artificial intelligence innovations for all Thais; and forge an organisational culture that puts customers at the centre.
The Road Ahead
Telenor has witnessed firsthand how mobile connectivity has contributed to progress in Thailand. The country now has a population that is fully connected, tech-savvy and avid users of digital services. Thailand’s need for data and secure infrastructure will only continue to grow, and it is important for Telenor, through its ownership in True Corporation, to continue ensuring that this demand is met and the company is ready for the future, where customer and stakeholder expectations, market and industry dynamics, and technology trends will continue to evolve.
Telenor Asia’s role in Thailand extends far beyond that of an investor. As an active owner in True Corporation, Telenor Asia brings technological expertise, global capabilities and expertise, a strong governance focus, and access to international partnerships.
To help build True Corporation for the future requires new capabilities and partnership models. AI is one area of particular focus, and recently, Telenor made major moves to harness AI as a business enabler, including entering global partnerships with Nvidia and establishing principles for ethical use of AI.
Telenor aims to unlock the value that AI offers in a structured manner. This AI programme is anchored from the top and prioritises enhancing customer experience, network efficiency and employee productivity. This is supported by working with global partners, data transformation and responsible AI, as well as upskilling to drive ethical and scalable innovation.
As an active owner of True Corporation, Telenor remains steadfast in its commitment to good governance and responsible business practices. Telenor supports True Corporation in driving a culture based on transparency, ethical conduct, and responsible business practices. This commitment is not only reflected in board-level oversight and strategic guidance but also in practical knowledge-sharing initiatives.
From its early mission of “connecting people,” Telenor Asia today is stepping up as a catalyst for Thailand’s transition to a data-driven economy—one that prioritises security and fosters inclusive growth. As a global company that has grown alongside the Thai people for over 25 years, Telenor Asia remains committed to enhancing digital quality of life for all Thais, creating an inclusive society where everyone moves forward together toward a sustainable, connected, and digital-ready future.
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