Thailand is experiencing an unprecedented surge in mobile data consumption, significantly outpacing global averages and underscoring the critical need for advanced spectrum availability to support future economic growth and technological innovation.
Record Data Usage Driven by 5G Adoption
Data usage per smartphone in Thailand has reached an impressive 34.4 gigabytes (GB) per month, marking it as the highest in Southeast Asia and considerably higher than the global average of 22GB projected for 2025. Projections indicate this trend will continue, with monthly data consumption expected to climb to 56.1GB per smartphone by 2031, surpassing the anticipated global average of 40GB.
This substantial increase in data demand is attributed to the growing adoption of extended reality devices, sophisticated video generation, and the burgeoning use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications. Notably, AI is reported to consume approximately eight times more data than standard background operations, with cloud syncing also contributing significantly to data uploads.
5G as a Catalyst for Digital Transformation
Thailand currently boasts approximately 33 million 5G subscribers, representing 36% of its total mobile subscriptions in 2025. This figure is projected to skyrocket to over 93 million by 2031, capturing a dominant 92% of the market share.
Anders Rian, head of Ericsson Thailand, emphasized the importance of making the 3.5 gigahertz (GHz) spectrum available, stating it is crucial for unlocking economic growth, particularly for businesses and small enterprises. He described 5G as critical infrastructure, essential for national digitalization efforts and preparing for the global commercialization of 6G by 2030.
“We are at an inflection point, where the 5G system is set to unleash the next wave of innovation in the country,” Mr. Rian stated. “The 5G standalone system and AI-driven automation will serve as the foundation for enterprise digitalization in Thailand.” He further elaborated, “5G is considered the ‘brain’ driving Thailand’s digital transformation and national infrastructure. Research shows a 10% increase in broadband coverage directly contributes to a 0.8% increase in a country’s GDP.”
AI Integration Enhances Network Performance
To effectively manage the increasing complexity of the network, Ericsson is integrating AI directly into its radio access network equipment through custom silicon chips. This approach allows for localized and instant network optimization, as AI computation occurs directly at the cell site rather than solely relying on central data centers.
This AI integration has demonstrated the potential to increase network capacity by up to 20% by optimizing traffic through AI algorithms alone, without requiring new hardware. It also improves the ability to precisely locate users and connected devices. Furthermore, the technology significantly reduces the network’s carbon footprint by intelligently managing equipment power consumption based on real-time traffic demands.
Paving the Way for 6G
Looking ahead, Mr. Rian anticipates global 6G trials to commence around 2028-2029, with commercial launches expected in early adopter nations such as the United States, China, Japan, and South Korea around 2030. Thailand is likely to see 6G adoption approximately two to three years after these leading markets.
While 5G can be likened to a highway, 6G is poised to expand network capabilities significantly. A key advancement will be the introduction of sensory capabilities, enabling 6G networks to detect the presence and movement of physical objects within their coverage area, even if those objects are not electronically connected.
Sirichai Manorot, vice-president for network solutions at Ericsson Thailand, urged the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission to begin developing a roadmap for 6G, which is anticipated to arrive around 2030. While existing 5G bands can still be utilized, 6G will necessitate additional spectrum. The focus for 6G is on the “centimetre wave” range, specifically between 6GHz and 15GHz, with the 7-8GHz and 14-15GHz ranges identified as particularly suitable due to minimal conflict with existing technologies.
According to recent industry reports, global 5G mobile subscriptions surpassed 3 billion in the first quarter of 2026, with 162 million new subscriptions added during that period. This figure is projected to reach 6.4 billion by the end of 2031. In the Southeast Asia and Oceania region, 5G subscriptions are forecast to reach 670 million by 2031, with over 50% 5G subscription penetration. Western Europe, North America, Northeast Asia, and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries are expected to achieve around 90% 5G mobile subscription adoption by the same year.
