Commercial affordable internet services on the 15-billion-baht national broadband network will be available in rural areas nationwide in 2017, says the Digital Economy and Society (DE) Minister.
"The national broadband project is part of the government's policy to create an innovation-driven economy by 2018," said DE Minister Pichet Durongkaveroj.
The government plans to install the broadband network in 24,700 villages to enhance the country's digital infrastructure and narrow the digital divide.
It would also foster broader adoption of digital-related services including e-education and e-health, in line with the government's e-service strategy.
Mr Pichet said the DE Ministry has not yet determined the exact prices of affordable broadband service packages, but he insisted the tariff rates must be cheaper than the existing tariff plans on offer.
The DE Ministry signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with TOT Plc and an anti-corruption agency yesterday for the construction of the national broadband network, which started yesterday.
The government plans to install internet broadband network to cover 40,432 villages, of which 24,700 will be handled by TOT, with an investment budget of 15 billion baht.
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission will handle the installation for the remaining 15,732 villages. The investment costs have not been made available. The regulator will use the universal service obligation fund for the investment.
The MoU signing yesterday was aimed to ensure the transparency of the auction process, project planning and implementation, including spending as well as a non-disclosure agreement.
Mr Pichet said the DE Ministry will work closely with other ministries on the development of other digitally-driven projects to develop local digital content and create digitally-connected communities nationwide.
TOT president Monchai Noosing said construction of the national broadband network for all 24,700 villages is scheduled to be completed by 2017.
TOT has set conditions for an auction to seek suppliers for fibre-optic network equipment. The auction is expected to take place by January, and the results will be announced by February.
The bid winners must start supplying fibre-optic networks from March.
TOT expects to complete the construction of the national broadband network for 5,000 villages for the first batch by mid-2017.
"We're confident construction of the entire broadband network will be completed by December next year," said Mr Monchai.