Nokia eyes smart security, health sectors

Nokia eyes smart security, health sectors

Nokia acquired Withings and its range of health-monitoring gadgets.
Nokia acquired Withings and its range of health-monitoring gadgets.

Nokia sees Thailand as a fertile market to help mobile operators provide security services for people's smartphones and other digital devices that are vulnerable to cyberattacks, according to Sebastien Laurent, country director of Nokia Thailand.

People were reminded of the threat in May when the WannaCry ransomware attack went global, encrypting machines and demanding bitcoin ransoms to unlock them.

According to a risk-based security study conducted this year by Finland-based Nokia, there were 4,149 attacks or breaches in 2016, with cases of malware infecting smartphones jumping 83% in the second half of the year.

Now is a good time to capitalise on the issue, as global technology trends like cloud storage, the Internet of Things (IoT), increased human interaction with machines and augmented intelligence have boosted spending on information and communications technology.

"A dramatic shift of technology has fostered the digital transformation of business organisations and telecom operators, as these businesses can have new sources of revenue," Mr Laurent said.

He said Nokia has broadened its product portfolio to capitalise on such trends. The company has expanded from telecom equipment and optical and IP networks to include software, cloud-based solutions and technology tied to security and health.

Meanwhile, demand for "smart" services that support better health is on the up. The sector includes apps to track health and monitor the condition of elderly people.

As more than 25% of the Thai population is expected to be over 65 years of age by 2040, the domestic market for such services is tipped to balloon.

Nokia acquired Withings in early 2016, putting the French smart device maker's blood-pressure monitors, thermometers and other devices under the Nokia brand.

The fusing of these two entities was designed to give users a broader portfolio of options and harmonise Nokia's home gateway and cloud platform, Mr Laurent said.

Globally, the market for smart health devices, including those that monitor and track the health of the elderly and infirm, is expected to nearly quadruple from US$20 billion at present to US$77 billion next year, statistics show.

Much of this integrates IoT technology -- where various devices and machines "talk" to each other -- and can be applied to trace children and pets.

IoT is also becoming a mainstay in smart cities, where lamp posts may be fitted with sensors that are connected to video security systems and operate using WiFi.

The government has plans to develop smart-city elements as part of the Eastern Economic Corridor project, which targets the development of 10 targeted industries in the three eastern provinces of Rayong, Chon Buri and Chachoengsao.

Mr Laurent said there is also plenty of room for growth in IP network equipment and optical networks in Thailand because "fibreisation" -- the widespread roll-out of fibre-optic communication to generate faster internet speeds and more traffic -- is still in its infancy.

He said demand for expanded networks will rise, citing the recent news that Total Access Communication (DTAC) and TOT Plc are teaming up to provide 4G services.

Nokia is expected to play a key role. It set a new milestone by earning more revenue from LTE networks than all of its competitors globally in the first quarter of this year.

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