As 2022 draws to a close, the world is still adjusting to the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Restrictions have eased and people are returning to their pre-pandemic lifestyles, but the pandemic has brought about significant changes in technology, shifts in human behavior, and lasting impacts on the economy and society.
In response to the rapid advancement of technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), 5G, and the internet of things (IoT), dtac has embraced a new way of thinking and is ready to take on a new role in this changing ecosystem in order to navigate the emerging challenges and stay ahead of the curve.
As we’re nearing the end of year, dtacblog looks back on key moments of 2022 in pictures.
Beyond Connectivity
In March, dtac announced its Fast Forward Digital ambition and launched a new version of its app. This version, which was designed to be a “super app,” has a new interface and is available in four languages: Thai, English, Myanmar, and Cambodian. To make digital services accessible for all, the app is made available to everyone, not just dtac customers. At the end of the third quarter of 2022, dtac had 7.6 million digital users and aims to attract 10 million digital users by 2023.
The highlight of the latest version of the dtac app is “dtac Beyond,” which provides services beyond mobile connectivity. These digital services include “dSurance,” a successful e-insurance platform that is on track to become Thailand’s leading e-insurance platform, and “Gaming Nation,” which has seen strong user numbers and revenue. Its revamped version “Gaming Nation 2.0” offers even more exclusive content and experiences through partnerships with leading companies in the gaming industry.
By transforming into a super app, dtac app can help fuel growth beyond mobile connectivity while also further accelerating digital inclusion among lower-ended smartphone users whose phones usually come with limited storage capacity. With the lite version of the dtac app, users can explore a variety of mobile and digital services and have an app-like experience without having to install the app.
dtac is committed to promoting digital inclusion and developing products and services that are accessible to all. Early this year, we launched the “Sign Language Call Center,” which is specifically designed to serve the hearing impaired. This initiative was made possible through a collaboration with the National Association of the Deaf in Thailand and the Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. Also, since 2015, dtac opened employment opportunities for candidates who are blind and partially sighted, demonstrating our commitment to providing equal opportunities for all.
dtac is also focused on supporting small and medium-sized businesses, with the goal of empowering them to grow and stay competitive in the digital age. We have partnered with Telenor Group and Google Cloud to develop B-Lab, a comprehensive solution platform that provides SMEs with the tools they need to fully digitize their businesses and achieve profitable growth. This includes access to a knowledge hub, tailored software as a service (SaaS) offerings, and mobile connectivity solutions.
To navigate uncertainty and the changing landscape, dtac is undergoing a full digital transformation to drive efficiency and innovation. To achieve this, we are also embracing automation and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) to streamline repetitive, routine tasks, allowing our employees to focus on more creative work and providing an enhanced experience for our customers. Additionally, we have launched the Citizen Developer program to train our employees with no coding background to automate their work processes through low-code or no-code platforms.
Empowering Societies
dtac is committed to empowering societies through connectivity and digital technologies. To this end, we continue to explore new use cases on 5G-enabled agricultural technologies, Internet of Things (IoT), and machine learning. One prominent example is the ongoing collaboration between dtac, the Chaipattana Foundation, and the National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC) to conduct agricultural research on lingzhi mushrooms in Fang, Chiang Mai, to create agricultural knowledge for neighboring communities where farmers can learn to produce high-value produce. The project is now in its second phase.
In September, dtac launched a joint research project with Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Architecture and Boonmee Lab on “Promotion of Secondary Provinces’ Tourism based on Mobility Data.” The goal of this study is to maximize the capabilities of mobility data to formulate strategies to boost Thai tourism, while also protecting customer privacy. The three parties subsequently worked together to develop the “mobility data dashboard” as a platform for interested groups to explore the behaviors of domestic tourists.
As digital acceleration transforms societies at an ever-increasing rate, dtac is determined to ensure that no one is left behind. In 2022, we continued to provide digital upskilling for small-scale entrepreneurs and vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities, former prisoners, the elderly, and ethnic minorities, to help them gain an online presence and grow their income. So far, the average revenue increase of those who participated in the dtac Net for Living Program is 51 percent.
Under the Safe Internet Initiative, dtac continues to teach digital resilience to schoolchildren and boost their immunity to online threats, helping ensure that they can safely benefit from new technologies. In April, we organized the Young Safe Internet Leaders Cyber Camp as part of this initiative. Now in its fourth year, this was the first metaverse camp, a virtual sandbox where students can learn and experiment with ways to better cope with online threats. In 2022, the Safe Internet Initiative has reached over 300,000 students.
Trusted Network
This year Thailand faced severe flooding, particularly in the provinces of Ubon Ratchathani and Ayutthaya. Despite the challenges, dtac’s frontliners worked tirelessly to ensure that our customers had access to connectivity and essential services during this difficult time. We understand how critical it is for people to stay connected to what matters most to them, and we were committed to making that happen even in a time of crisis.
As the impacts of the climate crisis are increasingly being felt by millions of people, dtac is tackling climate change by leveraging the power of data analytics to design the best possible strategy for a smoother and more efficient green transition. As part of our commitment to sustainability, we have set a goal to halve our greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
dtac Employee Achievements
dtac believes that people are the driving force behind growth, and we are committed to promoting diversity, equality, and inclusion throughout the organization. This year, we joined forces with Sansiri, Unilever, and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to further reinforce this commitment. Our efforts to create a fair and inclusive workplace have been recognized with four awards from HR Excellence Awards Thailand: Excellence in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; Excellence in the Use of HR Tech; Excellence in Business Transformation; and Excellence in Employers’ Branding.
dtac has also received more than 30 marketing awards at both the national and international levels. Of these awards, 22 were presented at the Adman Awards 2022, and seven were given at the MAAT Media Awards 2022 event.
In 2022, dtac was listed as a Thailand Sustainability Investment (THSI) by the Stock Exchange of Thailand. The THSI list consists of listed companies that conduct sustainable business operations and pass the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria. We showed a strong improvement in our environmental score from the previous year, and our social and governance scores also grew thanks to the privacy policy that respects and protects consumer rights and strict and transparent guidelines for handling authority requests.
“2022 in Review” showcases a few key moments in dtac’s Growth 2.0 journey, powered by people, be it our employees, customers, partners, or the communities we serve. It’s still a work in progress, but all of you have made significant strides towards our goals of creating a brighter and more sustainable future. Thank you for your contributions and commitment. We wish you a Happy New Year 2023!