Thai operator DTAC has announced it will spend an additional THB10 billion ($312 million) to expand its 3G and 4G networks to maintain its position as the number two player in the market.

Over the next six months, the operator will add 3,000 4G base stations and 6,500 3G base stations, bringing its total number of 3G BTS units to 18,500. The company has invested THB10 billion already this year on its 3G network expansion.

The expansion will focus on Bangkok and metropolitan areas in 30 provinces.

Interim CEO Sigve Brekke, who took over when CEO Jon Eddy Abdullah stepped down a month ago, said nothing would change under the new management, the Bangkok Post reported.

Brekke served as the Thai operator’s CEO from 2005 to 2008.

DTAC has 28 million mobile connections and a 29.5 per cent market share. Although its market share have been fairly steady over the past 18 months, it has been picking up only 13-15 per cent of the new additions per quarter over the past year. Market leader AIS has 43 million connections and a 45 per cent market share. True Move is third with 23 million connections and a 24 per cent share, according to GSMA Intelligence.