True Corporation Expands Mobile Coverage to Remote Ban Laosu Nok Village in Lampang

Brickinfo News Agency – True Corporation has successfully installed and activated a mobile network base station in Ban Laosu Nok, a remote mountain village in Lampang province, ending over 31 years of communication isolation for the community. The village, comprised of approximately 20 households and 60 residents from Akha and Mien ethnic groups, previously lacked any mobile signal due to its steep, mountainous terrain. This infrastructure expansion aims to bridge the digital divide by providing reliable voice and data services to underserved regions, directly impacting the residents’ safety, education, and agricultural livelihoods.

The installation was led by Thongchai Kwanphut, Head of Network Rollout and Field Operation, who conducted live connectivity tests via video calls between villagers and True Corporation executives, including CEO Sigve Brekke and Chief Network Officer Khurrum Ashfaque. Before this development, residents were forced to travel to distant villages or climb to high-ground viewpoints just to find a signal for essential communication. The lack of connectivity posed significant risks during medical emergencies and limited the community’s ability to coordinate with government agencies or hospitals.

Beyond basic communication, the arrival of the 900 MHz low-band spectrum network is expected to transform the local economy. Most residents are coffee farmers who have recently established the Ban Laosu Nok Coffee Community Enterprise Group. With stable internet and mobile access, farmers can now monitor market prices, negotiate directly with buyers, and utilize online resources to improve cultivation techniques. This shift allows the community to manage their trade independently, moving beyond physical marketplace limitations.

Khurrum Ashfaque, Chief Network Officer of True Corporation Plc., stated, “True places strong emphasis on reducing the digital divide and creating equal access for everyone. We are committed to expanding digital infrastructure into rural, remote, and underserved areas across the country. For Ban Laosu Nok, we deployed the 900 MHz low-band spectrum, which offers wide coverage and is well suited to mountainous and valley terrain. This enables communities that previously lacked access to connect to communications and the internet.”

The social impact extends to the village’s youth, who can now access online educational materials and instructional videos to supplement their schooling. For the elderly and vulnerable, the network serves as a critical safety net. The expansion aligns with global economic observations, such as those by the World Bank, suggesting that increased internet penetration correlates with GDP growth by fostering inclusive development and economic opportunity in remote areas.

Somchai Phongthanwalai, a resident of Ban Laosu Nok, shared the community’s sentiment: “In the past, life was very difficult. In emergencies, we could not call a doctor and had to walk up the mountain or travel to other villages. Now we can make calls directly from home. With mobile phones and internet, we can read news, learn about the outside world, and gain knowledge about farming. Making a living has become easier. We can call traders, check prices, negotiate, and even sell products ourselves through mobile phones. They truly improve our lives.”