Teaming up with Ayudhya Allianz CP Life and Allianz CP General Insurance, it will offer a one-year, Bt100,000 accidental-death protection plan.

True Move's marketing director Suphakit Vuntanadit said subscribers have to do no more than inform the company that they want the insurance coverage. However, their right to claim the insurance will be cancelled if they leave the post-paid service.

The move is part of the cellular operator's campaign to glue its 600,000 post-paid subscribers to its network.

It arises from synergy within its business group.

True Move is the cellular flagship of True Corp, which was founded by the Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group. CP is a shareholder in both the life insurance firm Ayudhya Allianz CP and the non-life insurer Allianz CP.

True Move has more than 7 million mobile-phone subscribers, but the vast majority are pre-paid subscribers who do not qualify for the insurance deal.

Suphakit said True Corp was planning to arrange similar insurance deals for subscribers to its other businesses, which include broadband Internet and pay-TV services. In total, the group has about 20 million subscribers.

Last October, Thailand's second-largest cellular operator DTAC joined forces with Muang Thai Life Assurance to provide one-year group accident insurance for its post-paid customers.

Customers whose numbers have been registered with the company for more than one year but less than five years receive Bt50,000 cover.

Those who have been with DTAC for six to 10 years receive Bt100,000 cover, while those who have used DTAC's service for more than a decade receive Bt500,000 cover.

Eligible DTAC customers also qualify for insurance payments for accidental injury. The full amount is payable upon accidental death.

Sirivish Toomgum

The Nation