Advanced Info Service (AIS), Thailand's biggest mobile operator by subscriber base, has signed an agreement for comprehensive cooperation with Chinese information solutions company ZTE.
The move aims to elevate the quality and delivery of user experience for AIS customers while developing innovations to put Thailand at the forefront of the digital economy.
The pact sees ZTE serve as AIS's comprehensive strategic partner to level up core technologies by using 5G to enhance Thailand's capabilities, in order to make AIS the leader in digital economy.
AIS and ZTE also plan to launch the "A-Z Center", a 5G innovation centre in Thailand, as a research hub to explore collaborations and joint innovations in 5G for both infrastructure and solutions.
The partnership is expected to boost growth in many areas, such as the metaverse and holographics, which are scheduled to launch in the third quarter this year.
Somchai Lertsutiwong, chief executive of AIS, said the company wants to take the national lead in digital technologies, including 5G, which is a vital piece of infrastructure to enhance Thailand's capabilities in the digital economy.
"This gives us the potential for our investments to deliver a variety of experiences and smart services to AIS customers and a range of industrial sectors," he said.
"We have always been confident that 5G will help effect transformation in the near future, from consumer behaviour to social contexts, as well as the growth of Thailand's digital economy."
ZTE is also expected to upgrade AIS's 5G network and expand the capabilities for different industries through ZTE's specialised innovation expertise.
"ZTE, as a global leader in 5G, truly believes 5G is driving the development of verticals and the digital transformation of industries," said Xu Ziyang, chief executive of ZTE Corporation.
"We will continue to innovate in 5G technical solutions and applications, and jointly work with AIS to explore the huge potential of 5G networks in the digital economy era."
There has been a stream of collaborations on 5G innovation between AIS and ZTE, which both companies said improved Thailand's reputation.
In March 2022, AIS, Qualcomm and ZTE announced new 5G radio dual connectivity (5G NR-DC) for the first time in the world on 2.6 gigahertz and 26GHz.
This technology clocked the fastest speeds in a combination of the two spectra, which was seen as another milestone in developing the speed of 5G mmWave, said the companies.