Bid to rev up internet speeds

Bid to rev up internet speeds

The government has set an ambitious target of increasing the national average internet connection speed to 100 Mbps by 2018.

Average internet speeds in more than 50,000 villages nationwide will be 10 times faster than the current national average over the next three years, ICT permanent secretary Methini Thepmani said.

She said the target was a priority for development of a digital economy.

"We have reset our goal with a new target to lift the national average internet connection speed to 100 Mbps by 2018, two years faster than initially projected," Ms Methini said.

"We intend to promote the use of digital content among the agricultural and public health sectors as well as small and medium-sized enterprises."

She was speaking yesterday at a seminar entitled "Direction of Thai Telecommunications Infrastructure after Digital Economy Reform", hosted by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC).

Only 10-20% of villages in the country can now access the internet at speeds of 100 Mbps.

To achieve the goal, expanding telecommunications infrastructure nationwide will be a major supporting factor, Ms Methini said.

She also said the government planned to set up a fund worth tens of billions of baht to provide financial support for developing the digital economy.

The fund will raise money from several channels, but Ms Methini declined to give details.

The government may set up a committee to manage the fund to maximise benefits for all parties.

Ms Methini urged TOT Plc and CAT Telecom to establish a non-profit business unit for promoting people's internet access nationwide.

She said the National Digital Economy Committee was likely to be created next month, with restructuring of the ICT Ministry completed by September.

Prof Sudharma Yoonaidharma, dean of UTCC's law faculty, said the government must efficiently manage core telecommunications infrastructure to accelerate the development of a digitally based economy.

Cooperation from the private sector towards a digital economy is also essential.

In another development, TOT and CAT are on the verge of restructuring their operations and business structures to comply with an order by the State Enterprises Policy Commission.

The government also plans to set up two companies — National Infrastructure Co and Neutral Tower Co — to improve the efficiency of telecom network investment, which could result in lower service fees.

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