History
Total Access Communication Public Company Limited or dtac
The Company was established as a limited company in August 1989 by Bencharongkul family to provide wireless telecommunications services in 800 MHz and 1800 MHz frequency bands under a “Build-Transfer-Operate” concession granted by CAT Telecom Public Company Limited (formerly known as Communications Authority of Thailand, “CAT”).
In 2012, dtac Trinet, a subsidiary of the Company, obtained the spectrum license for mobile telecommunications in the Frequency Band 2.1 GHz from the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) and provides service on 2.1GHz in 2013
The Company’s landmark developments in the subsequent years include:
December
Rights to provide services under concession, given by the Administrative Court, came to an end. dtac started providing wireless services on 900MHz and 1800MHz spectrum bands under licenses from the NBTC.
October
A subsidiary of dtac won 2 x 5MHz of 900MHz frequency band at the auction arranged by the NBTC.
September
Concession agreement to provide wireless services between dtac and CAT came to an end. dtac got an injunction from the Administrative Court to continue providing wireless services to customers on spectrums under concession for another 90 days.
August
A subsidiary of dtac won 2 x 5MHz of 1800MHz frequency band at the auction arranged by the NBTC.
June
dtac launched wireless services on 2300MHz frequency band under “dtac Turbo” brand, with a cooperation from TOT.
April
a subsidiary of dtac signed agreements with TOT for the provision of wireless services on 2300MHz frequency band.
November
dtac launched “dtac call”, an application that combines 5 telephone numbers in one smartphone.
September
“LINE MOBILE” was launched. dtac launched “SIM GO! Inter” for customers travelling abroad.
July
Merging Paysbuy with Omise was announced.
June
The Frequency Allocation Act (No. 2) B.E.2560 was enforced.
May
dtac has been ranked as one of the best companies in Corporate Social Responsibility while Lars Norling has been recognized as the best CEO and Sverre Pedersen, as the best CFO in the Asia’s Best
Companies 2017 Polled by FinanceAsia Magazine. Company’s subsidiaries enter into contract negotiation with TOT for the provision of wireless service on 2300 MHz.
April
New dtac-branded 4G smartphones launched - S3, T3 and X3 models.
March
dtac Launched “dtac WiFi Calling App” for customers to enjoy the Wifi Calling feature on any smartphone.
February
dtac announced new brand platform “FLIP IT” and introduced “Go No Limit”, an unlimited data offer with a variety of Internet speeds for customers to choose. dtac received the Thailand Sustainability Investment 2016 Award as a recognition for its outstanding performance in sustainability development from the Stock Exchange of Thailand.
October
dtac launched cross-network VoLTE service with AIS.
September
dtac collaborated with Lazada, a leading e-commerce company, to expand online distribution channel. dtac 4G service covered all districts throughtout Thailand.
August
dtac introduced the new flagship concept store “dInfinite” in order to build digital experience for our customers. dtac was certified as an anti-corruption organization from Thailand’s Private Sector Collective Action Coalition Against Corruption.
July
dtac implemented ISO 26000, an international standard for social responsibility. dtac increased bandwidth of 4G-1800MHz to 20MHz in Bangkok Metropolitan Area and completed the expansion of 4G-1800MHz with 15MHz bandwidth in every province throughout Thailand.
June
dtac introduced “dtac prepaid” brand for using in prepaid market. dtac launched “dtac Super 4G” prepaid SIM focusing on digital generation segment.
May
dtac launched “dtac MUSIC INFINITE”, a digital service that customers can play streaming music from leading applications with no data charge.
April
dtac published a whitepaper “REALIZING DIGITAL THAILAND: An Internet not for the few, but for the many” outlining propositions for building digital economy in Thailand . The whitepaper was presented at Asia Pacific Digital Societies Policy Forum 2016, organized by the Ministry of ICT and GSMA.
March
dtac introduced WiFi Calling or VoWiFi (Voice over WiFi) service, helping customers to make and receive voice calls over a WiFi network.
February
The Company changed dividend policy to “To pay out dividend not less than 50% of the Company’s net profits, depending on financial position and future business plans.
December
dtac TriNet participated in 900MHz licence auction, arranged by NBTC.
dtac increased 4G bandwidth to 15MHz on 1800MHz spectrum with 2,200 base stations around Bangkok and Metropolitan Area.
November
dtac TriNet participated in 1800MHz licence auction, arranged by NBTC.
dtac expanded 4G services on 1800 MHz under CAT concession across Bangkok and Metropolitan Area.
dtac received “Top 50 ASEAN Publicly Listed Companies” award from ASEAN Corporate Governance Conference and Awards.
September
dtac introduced “Blue Member” customer relationship management program for premium customers.
dtac launched campaign “Reach Everywhere Understand Every Heart” to strengthen our brand perception and commit to deliver best experience to customers.
August
dtac TriNet and AWN mutually agreed on telecom tower sharing totaling 2,000 towers within 2015.
June
dtac introduced “Happy 4G SIM”, a prepaid SIM designed to stimulate 4G usage among prepaid users.
May
dtac launched “Eagle X”, the first 4G dtac-branded smartphone.
April
dtac expanded 4G network to cover Bangkok Metropolitan Area and major 40 cities.
March
dtac introduced “Love & Roll” package for postpaid customers. It helps customers transferring remaining Internet usage to the next billing cycle.
December
dtac signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CAT Telecom to strengthen long term strategic partnership and promote infrastructure sharing model in Thailand.
October
dtac introduced ‘Love Buffet’ plan for postpaid customers, providing mobile Internet service at maximum speed.
September
dtac announced investment plan to build new 6,500 base stations by 31 March 2015 to strengthen its positioning as the leading Internet provider in Thailand.
July
dtac released a new commercial “The Power of Love”, achieved a phenomenal 12 million views on YouTube in less than one month. The TVC aims at promoting the appropriate usage of technology.
June
The Board of Directors approved the delisting of the Company from The Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited.
May
dtac launched 4G service in inner Bangkok.
November
dtac introduced the second generation of dtac TriNet phones: Lion, Cheetah Turbo and Joey Turbo.
September
dtac received Thailand’s Corporate Brand Rising Star 2013 Award, based on the research of Department of Marketing, Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy, Chulalongkorn University. A ceremony was held to announce and award the SET listed companies with highest brand value.
August
dtac received the “Best Senior Management IR Support and Most Consistent Dividend Policy” awards from Alpha Southeast Asia, an institutional investment magazine for 2 consecutive years.
July
dtac launched 3G HSPA service on 2.1GHz.
June
dtac introduced the first generation of dtac TriNet phones: Cheetah, Joey and Mousy.
May
dtac launched “dtac TriNet” with the concept of 3 combined networks: 1800MHz, 850MHz and 2.1GHz.
February
dtac network swap completed nationwide making dtac ready to offer customers the best experiences.
December
DTN has been granted the 15-year spectrum license for IMT in the frequency band 2.1 GHz and license type III for providing wireless communication services from the NBTC. dtac completed the entire 2G network modernization and 3G 850 MHz rollout in all major cities nationwide.
October
DTN participated in the auction for spectrum licensing for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) in the frequency band 2.1 GHz conducted by the NBTC and won 2 x 15 MHz of 2.1 GHz spectrum license. dtac introduced “dtac Deezer,” the first social music streaming service in Asia, allowing customers to enjoy unbounded musical pleasure of more than 18 million songs worldwide.
September
dtac received the “Best Senior Management IR Support and Most Consistent Dividend Policy” awards from Alpha Southeast Asia, an institutional investment magazine.
August
dtac received the Taxpayer Recognition Award for the year 2011 arranged by The Revenue Department of Thailand.
July
dtac announced a new dividend policy which would pay at no less than 80% of net profit, depending on its financial position and future business plans, with an aim to pay quarterly.
March
dtac commercially launched WiFi service with “Walk & Play” concept in community malls and on BTS stations.
December
dtac announced special dividend for its financial restructuring. dtac’s CSR Project “Doing Good Deeds Everyday” won CSR Award from SET awards 2011 for 3 consecutive years.
October
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Committee (NBTC) obtained royal endorsement. dtac won “Hall of Fame: A Decade of Excellence 2001 -2010” as one of top ten Thai leading business organizations with excellent management for the decade based on data by Thailand Management Association and Sasin Graduate Institute of Business Administration of Chulalongkorn University.
September
dtac officially launched iPad in Thailand.
August
dtac launched 3G HSPA service on 850 MHz.
December
dtac and other 4 mobile operators soft-launched Mobile Number Portability (MNP) service. The new Frequency Allocation Act (B.E.2553) was enforced, which preceded the establishment of new regulator.
November
Fitch Ratings upgraded dtac’s credit ratings: Long-term Foreign Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) and Long-term Local Currency IDR to BBB National Long-term Rating to AA-( tha) National Short-term Rating to F1+(tha) Senior Unsecured Debenture ratings to AA- dtac declared special interim dividend for the first time. dtac was awarded the “Brand of the Year” in Mobile Operator category, from Excellent Brand Survey Awards 2010, organized by HWM Thailand magazine.
October
TRIS Rating upgraded dtac’s credit rating to AA- with stable outlook.
July
dtac signed Interconnection agreement with CAT/Hutch. dtac introduced Micro SIM.
March
dtac internet was awarded “Commart Innovation Awards 2010”. dtac officially launched iPhone in Thailand.
December
dtac introduced BlackBerry service with the new BlackBerry smart phone, including a special edition white model.
November
dtac deployed dSmart solution to monitor network performance and customer experience from a single center which aimed to deliver the greatest satisfaction to its customers. dtac’s CSR Project “Doing Good Deeds Everyday” won CSR Award from SET awards 2009.
August
dtac commenced the trial service “dtac mobile internet on 3G” based on HSPA technology over dtac’s existing 850MHz frequency, covering the inner Bangkok area.
July
dtac relocated its headquarter from Chai Building to its new house at Chamchuri Square.
March
dtac and Vodafone signed exclusive strategic partnership agreement
January
ATM SIM was awarded the “Project of the Year” from Thailand ICT Excellence Awards 2008. dtac’s *1677 Farmer Information Superhighway project was awarded the “Business Enabler” from Thailand ICT Excellence Awards 2008.
January
dtac took over “PaySbuy”, a company operated online payment system. dtac together with CAT tested HSDPA technology on 850 MHz in Mahasarakram.
March
dtac introduced “ATM SIM” with which customers can conduct their financial transactions via mobile phones.
November
ATM SIM was awarded the “Best Mobile Service” from Asia Mobile Award 2008, organized by GSMA’s Mobile Congress.
June
dtac issued 82 new million shares to be listed in Stock Exchange of Thailand and became the first dual listing (SET and SGX) company in Thailand. dtac won “Mobile Operator of the Year Award” in Thailand from Asian MobileNews Awards 2007, organized by Asian MobileNews Magazine for 2 consecutive years.
August
dtac won “Marketing Excellence Awards 2006” from Thailand Corporate Excellent Awards, organized by Thailand Management Association (TMA) and Sasin Graduate Institute of Business Administration of Chulalongkorn University.
October
dtac refreshed brand with an aim to make customers ‘feel goood’.
June
dtac received “Mobile Operator of the Year 2006” in Thailand from Asian MobileNews Magazine.
August
The completion of capital reduction in respect of the 16.4 million shares held by TOT. NTC approved the term of reference on the interconnection charge as a basis for negotiation among operators.
September
dtac implemented 10-digit mobile phone numbers by replacing the prefix 0 with 08.
November
dtac signed Interconnection agreement with True Move and AIS.
December
dtac signed Interconnection agreement with Triple T Broadband
June
TOT agreed to cancel 16.4 million of its shares in dtac by way of capital decrease.
December
dtac won “Technology Fast 500 Asia Pacific 2004 Award” from Deloitte.
January
Excise Tax was enforced.
October
dtac received “Disclosure Report Award 2003” from the Securities and Exchange Commission.
April
dtac unlocked IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) codes to allow all mobile handsets to use dtac’s network.
May
dtac discontinued handset and accessories sales and distributions by transferring this business to UD, a company in which dtac and UCOM has 25 percent and 75 percent equity interest respectively. (At present, UCOM assigns all of the rights and benefits to Benchachinda Holdings).
March
dtac launched new brand “dtac” and adopted a radically different approach of doing business in the Thai market.
April
TOT agreed to amend the basis of calculation of the access charge for prepaid services from THB 200 per month per number to 18 percent of the value of the prepaid vouchers sold.
November
dtac launched GPRS-based data service across the entire dtac network.
July
dtac commercially launched prepaid product, so-called “Prompt”.
May
United Communication Industry Public Company Limited (“UCOM”) sold 5.5 million outstanding shares of dtac to Telenor Asia Pte (“Telenor”).
August
dtac issued new 48.5 million shares and sold these shares to Telenor, as a result, Telenor held 29.94 percent equity interest in dtac.
November
CAT agreed to extend concession period until 2018.
February
dtac was registered as a public company.
October
dtac sold 13 percent of its paid-up capital to the public and listed the shares on the Singapore Exchange Trading Limited.
November
dtac issued new 42.8 million shares to TOT and TOT agreed to provide discounts on access charge payments..
February
dtac entered into an Access Charge Agreement with TOT Public Company Limited (formerly known as Telephone Organization of Thailand, “TOT”) in order to access their networks.
November
dtac was granted a concession from CAT to operate wireless services on a revenue sharing basis under the term of “Build-Transfer-Operate”.
