After having provided 11.7 million social welfare cardholders with limited monthly allowances for goods and transport, the government has now come up with a new plan. The Finance Ministry on Wednesday revealed that it intends to give a mobile SIM card with free internet access to each registered low-income earner.
Like the 200- or 300-baht credit for grocery shopping and 500 or 1,500 baht for transport under the social welfare scheme, each SIM card will have a limitation on megabytes available for use.
The new plan shows the state's good intentions for bridging the digital divide between the rich and poor. But the ministry seems to have no plans yet about how to integrate its mission with similar efforts of other government agencies, how it will help the cardholders capitalise on the free internet access, and exactly how long this project will last.
As we increasingly transition toward a digital society, mobile internet access can promote social development, facilitate access to public and private services, and enhance economic opportunities. Digitalisation can help raise productivity and bring about innovation, while reducing the costs of doing business.
Mobile money services in many African countries, for example, have helped a large number of people emerge from poverty and transform themselves into entrepreneurs.
Low-income Thais can make use of digitalisation. But the digital divide remains stark in Thailand, especially between people in urban areas and those living in rural settings. A survey from 2005-2014 by the National Statistical Office demonstrates that while Thais living in both settings have increasingly subscribed to mobile and fixed-line phone networks, the gap between urban and rural users was still at between 13-19%.
When subsidising mobile internet use, the Finance Ministry needs to be aware that the registered poor will require both quality and quantity to make the best use of the technology. Limitless and reliable internet connections can make all the difference for self-guided online learning or for one to make a career as an entrepreneur out of it, for instance.
As it will partner with a state-run body, TOT Plc, which will provide the internet access, the ministry should come up with a monthly package which is good enough for the poor to make use of. Otherwise, they will only get a second-class version of digitalisation.
More importantly, the minister should understand that there are similar efforts being carried out by other agencies and so it must not work alone. In January last year, the cabinet approved the so-called Pracharat internet scheme aiming to give broadband to 33,965 villages. The Digital Economy and Society Ministry and the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission have been tasked with handling the project of providing affordable packages to people. Each of them have been given a portion of villages to cover but neither has achieved the goal.
In tackling the digital divide, the government should not just focus on handing out subsidies to specific groups, such as the registered poor.
It should aim to lower the overall cost of access to digital networks by promoting market competition, investing in infrastructure and providing supportive regulatory policies.
The NBTC seemed to be expressing an intention to head in this direction when it announced in September a plan to halve operating licence fees for telecom companies by year end. But more still needs to be done to ensure that users will also benefit from this and other regulations.
Handing out SIM cards with limited megabytes to the poor is unlikely to give them access to the real potential digitalisation can bring about. But an overall affordable and reliable internet access can enhance learning and economic opportunities in the long run without anyone depending on a subsidy. Internet access should become a universal right for every Thai to maximise its many benefits.