The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has outlined the country's broadband infrastructure development under the "Giga Thailand Infrastructure" project, expected to start next year with the support of its Universal Service Obligation (USO) 3.0 scheme.
The project is meant to improve Thailand's competitiveness and minimise the digital divide using ultra-mobile broadband and high-speed Fibre to the X (FTTX).
Air Marshal Thanapant Raicharoen, a member of the telecom regulator's board, said the value of internet connectivity can serve as a foundation for the digital economy.
He delivered the remarks during the "Giga Thailand Development and Prospect" session at Huawei's 13th Global Mobile Broadband Forum, held at Bangkok's Queen Sirikit National Convention Center.
AM Thanapant said demand for digital services has surged for individual, industrial and government usage.
In Thailand, smart concepts prevail in the manufacturing, tourism and healthcare sectors, with a need for broadband internet to support them.
The Thai government has highlighted the importance of digital infrastructure and industry digitalisation, he said.
In 2021, the NBTC developed the Thailand Infrastructure white paper as a guideline for the improvement of fibre penetration in the country, said AM Thanapant.
The NBTC expects to enact its master plan in 2023, called "Giga Thailand 2023", which consists of the USO 3.0 scheme and Giga City initiatives.
The USO 3.0 scheme is meant to improve the quality of digital infrastructure by enhancing fibre penetration and FTTX in Thailand to address the digital divide.
"Giga City will be an important initiative to promote urban development of digital infrastructure via fibre and 5G," said AM Thanapant.
The NBTC will work with cities and the private sector to support full-fibre broadband connection as part of Giga City initiatives, with different industries being supported, he said.
Through USO 3.0, telecom operators will be able to invest in and operate broadband projects in line with the NBTC's objectives, AM Thanapant said. Investment costs can be deducted from the annual fees they are usually obliged to pay the NBTC.
He said more municipalities will be nominated and certified as Giga Cities in the future.
Giga City initiatives comprise three plans. First, there is a need to build a solid digital infrastructure foundation powered by advanced, high-quality and sustainable technology.
Secondly, it involves a robust, constructive ecosystem through the cooperation of the central government, local cities and the private sector.
Finally, a focus will be on the digitalisation push for key industries, which should help the country's digital economy, said AM Thanapant.
"The NBTC expects to see the establishment of smart hospitals, smart universities, smart factories and e-government in the future," he said.
David Wang, Huawei's executive director of the board and chairman of the ICT infrastructure managing board, said so-called ultra-broadband could build a thriving ecosystem with higher average revenue per user.
Ultra-broadband will support new technologies and activities, such as the metaverse, games and robots.
"In the future, 10 Gbps will be everywhere for digital life," Mr Wang said in a speech entitled "Stride to Ultra Broadband 5.5G".
Only 1% of global households could access Gbps-based FTTX home services in 2020, with the number expected to reach 26% in 2025 and 55% by 2030.
