DTAC and the Evolution of Thailand's Telecommunications Landscape
For decades, Total Access Communication Public Company Limited, widely known as DTAC, served as a cornerstone of Thailand's mobile connectivity. Established as a GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) provider, DTAC grew to become one of the nation's primary telecommunications operators, facilitating millions of connections across the kingdom.
From its early days of rapid expansion to its eventual integration into a larger corporate entity, DTAC's journey reflects the broader consolidation trends within the global telecom industry.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Key Facts
- Founded: August 31, 1989, by Boonchai Bencharongkul.
- Market Position: Formerly the third-largest GSM phone company in Thailand.
- Ownership: Owned by Telenor (Norwegian company) and BCTN Holding.
- Financial Peak: Reported 87,753 million baht in revenue in 2015.
- Current Status: Merged with True Corporation as of March 1, 2023.
- Successor: Now operates under the True Corporation brand.
The Rise of DTAC in Thailand
Founded in 1989, DTAC established itself as a competitive force in the Thai market. By December 2011, the company had secured 23.2 million subscribers, representing approximately 30 percent of the market share. By 2019, the company maintained 20.642 million mobile subscriptions and employed 3,904 people.
The company's commitment to service quality was recognized internationally, winning the "Best Mobile Operator of Thailand" award for three consecutive years between 2005 and 2007 from the Asian MobileNews Awards.
Financial Performance and Governance
DTAC demonstrated significant financial strength during its independent operation. In 2015, the company reported total assets of 110,965 million baht and a net profit of 5,893 million baht. Its corporate structure evolved over time, with BCTN Holding becoming the parent company on April 11, 2012, while maintaining a close relationship with the Norwegian firm Telenor.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]The Strategic Merger with True Corporation
The landscape of Thai telecommunications shifted dramatically on November 22, 2021, when Telenor and the Charoen Pokphand Group announced a planned merger between True Corporation and DTAC. This US$8.6 billion deal aimed to combine the second and third largest operators in the country by subscriber count.
Following the acknowledgment of the merger by the regulator, the NBTC (National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission), on October 20, 2022, the transition was finalized. On March 1, 2023, the merged entity officially launched under the True Corporation name. The new company began trading on the Stock Exchange of Thailand under the ticker symbol TRUE on March 3, 2023.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founder | Boonchai Bencharongkul |
| Original Listing | SET: DTAC / SGX: B2W |
| Parent Companies | BCTN Holding, Telenor |
| FY 2022 Revenue | 80.753 billion baht (US$ 2.3 billion) |
| Merger Date | March 1, 2023 |
| Successor Entity | True Corporation (SET: TRUE) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to DTAC?
DTAC merged with True Corporation on March 1, 2023. The two companies now operate together under the True Corporation brand.
Who founded DTAC?
DTAC was founded by Boonchai Bencharongkul on August 31, 1989.
Who were the primary owners of DTAC?
The company was owned by the Norwegian company Telenor and BCTN Holding.
What was DTAC's market position before the merger?
DTAC was the third-largest GSM mobile phone company in Thailand, following Advanced Info Service (AIS) and True Mobile.
Under what ticker symbol is the merged company traded?
The merged entity is listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand under the symbol TRUE.