AIS un logs Wifi service at McDonald's
Komsan Tortermvasana Sarawan Tiyarojvekin
Advanced info Service is expanding its Wifi internet service to McDonald's outlets nation wide in the latest effort to offload its chronically clogged third generation (3G) mobile data network into wireless hotspot connections.
The country's largest mobile operator expects to increase the number o its wifi hotspots to 100,000 by the end of this year, up from the current 80,000.
McDonald's meals are now served with free wifi via AIS at all its 179 branches countrywide.
Customers can access the internet using their laptops, smartphones and other devices at no charge.
Vice-president Anack Anantwatanapong said AIS customers who signed up for the company's wifi packages can automatically access the internet with no need for additional registration.
McDonald's customers who use any other mobile network can ALSO ACCESS AIS's free wifi service at the fast-food restaurant for 45 minutes per log in.
Mr Anake added AIS is in talks with prospective partners in various industries including the public transport sector over possible collaboration on free wifi services.
He said expanding in various the wifi network would help alleviate the wifi network would help alleviate heavy data traffic running on its on 3G networks.
The mobile leader has 80000 free wifi spots nationwide, 60000 of which are wifi networks that AIS rented from Jasmine International.
AIS ha 8 million subscribers signed up for its wifi service packages. Data traffic running on AIS's wifi network accounted for 8% of total mobile networks.
AIS operates a mobile service on 17.5 megahertz of bandwidth of the 900-MHz spectrum under a TOT concession, which is due to expire in September 2015. AIS, trough subsidiary Advanced wireless Network, provides 3G service on 15 MHz of bandwidth of the 210-MHz spectrum.
Mr Anake added AIS invested 40 billion THB this year, mainly on 3G network expansion.
AIS shares closed yesterday on the SET at 236 THB, down seven THB, in trade worth 3.91 billion THB