Mobile providers try sustainability

As Millennial customers and investors become more environmentally conscious, mobile industry players must be careful with the materials they use in phones, including supporting proper e-waste disposal.

“Thailand has a high mobile internet penetration rate with 93.7 million phone numbers, accounting for 133% of its population,” said On-uma Rerkpattanapipat, head for communication and sustainability of Total Access Communication (DTAC), the country’s third largest mobile operator by subscribers.

Some 14.1 million smartphones are sold in Thailand every year, including 100,000 for first-time users and the rest for those seeking replacements. Replacements alone represent 20% of Thailand’s total phone purchases on a yearly basis.