In the new post-paid package, subscribers will not have to pay a fixed monthly fee and will pay only the cost of calls. If they don't call, there is no charge.

The cost of calls is Bt3 for the first minute, Bt1 each for the second and third minutes and thereafter it is free. The new prepaid package offers existing subscribers the same rates.

The new post-paid and prepaid packages will last six months and until the end of July, respectively.

The market leader and subsidiary of Shin Corp is facing harsher conditions, including a public backlash from the Shin-Temasek deal, intense competition, a slowing economy and political uncertainty.

On Monday AIS launched a new prepaid package exclusively for new customers, hoping to expand its market share.

AIS's executive vice president for operations, Wichian Mektrakarn, said the company was expanding its network capacity to handle the expected surge of call traffic generated by its heavy promotions.

He claimed that the current successful call rate between AIS users was 98 per cent and between AIS and other networks, 93 per cent.

AIS has more than 16.5 million subscribers.

It signed up more than 30,000 net new subscribers in February.

Its marketing budget for the first half of the year is about Bt1 billion. 

Sirivish Toomgum

The Nation