AIS Extends 5G Sea Coverage to 60km for Year-End Tourism

AIS has upgraded its 5G signal across Thai waters, becoming the first in ASEAN to deploy Sub-1 GHz Massive MIMO technology to extend coverage up to 60 kilometers, ready for the year-end tourism season. The company reinforces its position as Thailand's network quality leader, continuously advancing network performance. Building on the success of its 5G Sea Coverage development since 2023 — which aimed to expand signals across marine tourism areas including coastlines, island groups, and major ferry routes nationwide — AIS has further elevated network capabilities under the "Sea First Coverage" concept.

By deploying Sub-1 GHz Massive MIMO technology for the first time in Southeast Asia to enhance cross-sea signal transmission, AIS achieves greater reach. Testing on the Chumphon ferry route to Koh Tao showed 5G coverage extending up to 60 kilometers over sea, up from the previous 38 kilometers, while also increasing capacity for users and data throughput. This meets the connectivity needs of tourists, businesses, and local communities, underscoring AIS's network readiness for the peak tourism season.

Sub-1 GHz Massive MIMO combines low-band spectrum below 1 GHz — using 700 MHz and 900 MHz waves that travel farther and cover wider areas — with Massive MIMO technology that employs multiple antenna arrays to transmit and receive signals simultaneously. This improves signal distribution efficiency and supports many more devices, especially in marine areas where base station installation is limited and distances from shore are great. The technology enhances connectivity from shore across waters to island groups and shipping lanes, supporting diverse uses: communication, internet access, navigation, and uploading photos and videos to share travel experiences.

Kitti Nimmanchet, AIS Chief Technology Officer, said: "For AIS, network quality is not measured by speed or coverage alone. What matters is enabling customers to live and connect with confidence, wherever they are and whatever they do. We advance development under the WISE Framework, integrating spectrum, technology, and expertise to drive intelligent, secure, and sustainable networks. In particular, our Innovate Beyond approach brings new innovations to push network capabilities beyond previous limits. Deploying Sub-1 GHz Massive MIMO for marine connectivity exemplifies this commitment.

AIS has continuously prioritized network development in marine tourism areas because good connectivity must not stop at the shoreline — it must serve customers throughout their journey, especially during the year-end high season when Thailand is a top global destination. We want both Thai and international tourists to enjoy seamless connectivity whether on the coast, aboard ferries, or on the islands — communicating, finding information, using navigation, and sharing memorable photos and videos smoothly, because we believe that networks...