AIS, a telecom service provider in Thailand, has selected Alcatel-Lucent to improve cellular services for residents and the country’s substantial tourist economy.

AIS will use small cells technology to improve coverage and capacity to enhance customer experience for voice and high speed data access.

The company said small cells deliver cellular signals in areas with insufficient coverage or challenged due to interference from buildings, geography or distance from a cell tower.

Small cell technology is a cost effective way to improve coverage by placing radio technology closer to the users, said Alcatel-Lucent.

According to AIS, it will deploy the small cells in cities, villages, tourist destinations and shopping malls in Thailand to expand its data service faster.