- Merged with True Corporation in 2023
- Third-largest mobile operator in Thailand
Evolution of DTAC: From inception to merger
Total access communication public company limited (DTAC) was founded in August 1989 by the Bencharongkul family. The company aimed to provide wireless telecom services in Thailand. DTAC operated under a “Build-Transfer-Operate” concession from CAT Telecom. It used the 800 MHz and 1800 MHz frequency bands for mobile services.
In 2012, DTAC’s subsidiary, dtac trinet, received a 2.1 GHz frequency license from the national broadcasting and telecommunications commission. This enabled the company to enhance its services, launching on the 2.1 GHz band in 2013.
By 2019, DTAC had about 20.642 million subscribers and employed around 3,904 people. The company offered mobile voice, data, and other services to a wide customer base in Thailand.
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Strategic merger and market position
On November 22, 2021, Telenor and Charoen Pokphand Group announced the DTAC and true merger. The goal was to combine resources and strengthen their market position.
The national broadcasting and telecommunications commission (NBTC) approved the merger on October 20, 2022. It was finalized on March 1, 2023. The new company kept the true corporation name and listed on the stock exchange of Thailand (SET) on March 3, 2023.
Before the merger, DTAC was Thailand’s third-largest mobile operator, behind AIS and true, with a 30% market share. Its strong network and services boosted the growth of Thailand’s telecom sector.
