Penguin SIM angles for motorcyclists
White Space, a provider of mobile service under the Penguin SIM brand, is collaborating with PTT Plc and Thai Yamaha Motor to launch Penguin Rider SIM to target the country’s 20 million motorcyclists.
White Space aims to acquire 400,000 new subscribers by April through the collaboration, with the goal of expanding its revenue stream.
Penguin SIM was launched in March 2016, growing to become the biggest mobile virtual network operator in the market today, with 400,000 active subscribers.
The company overtook the top spot from Samart I-Mobile, a subsidiary of Samart Corporation that has since exited the mobile market.
A MVNO is a mobile operator that does not own a cellular network, but rents from other networks to provide service. The model offers a very low margin because of network rental fees.
Chaiyod Chirabowornkul, the chief executive of White Space, said providing mobile service through the MVNO model is not easy because the big three major mobile operators always try to claw back market share and stabilise earnings.
“With more than 20 million motorcyclists across the country, we hope [the campaign] can generate new revenue streams for us,” he said.
The “Fill Up Gas, Get a Triple Bonus” Penguin Rider SIM campaign allows all motorcyclists to buy petrol at PTT stations and receive free calls and internet from Penguin as well as a chance to win one of 50 Yamaha Finn motorcycles. The offer runs until the end of 2018. There are 1,400 PTT filling stations across the country that will take part in the scheme.
Mr Chaiyod said Penguin will benefit from a wider customer base, while PTT will be able to sell fuel to participating motorcyclists.
White Space has prepared 1 million SIM cards for the campaign.
“Both filling up on fuel and using mobile phones are part of people’s daily lives, especially motorcyclists,” said Mr Chaiyod.
Apart from having access to free internet while at PTT stations, for every fuel purchase of 50-100 baht, participating customers get 5 baht in credit for calls and/or internet on Penguin SIMs. Calls are limited to one number, once daily and not to exceed two times per week.