Thai telco True Corp says its “Single Grid” initiative to consolidate the networks of True and Dtac is already producing better network coverage and signal quality in pilot projects.
True finalized its merger with Dtac in February this year. Since then, it’s been relying on roaming to serve True and Dtac customers across both networks. True says over 76% of customers can now access both networks seamlessly on the 2600 MHz and 700 MHz bands.
True’s ‘Single Grid’ project, which was revealed in September, aims to consolidate the base station towers and spectrums of the two networks. The goal is to reduce redundant towers without reducing the total number of base stations, and utilizes spectrum consolidation to unify and enhance signal speeds.
“We are integrating our infrastructure and adjusting the redundant signal towers. In doing so, we are creating a network with improved signal quality and coverage,” said True CTO Prathet Tankuranun. “Leveraging our data insights, we have delved deeply into usage details in each area and are implementing modern tower signal technology to consolidate our wide and diverse range of spectrums.”
True says it has already completed spectrum-consolidation pilot projects in South Thailand, where 4G and 5G signals are now stronger and more stable, particularly for home usage. Meanwhile, True says, signal capacity has increased, allowing for more usage in all bands.
“Based on the conducted pilot tests of 5G at 2600 MHz, 5G at 700 MHz, 4G on the low band, and 4G on the mid-band, it has been found that the signals are approximately two times faster and stronger,” Tankuranun said.
The combined True-Dtac network has spectrum in the 700 MHz, 850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2600 MHz, and 26 GHz bands.
True expects to complete the project in 2025.
