[Bangkok, Thailand, September 21, 2020] Thailand Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (MDES), Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa) and Huawei open Thailand 5G Ecosystem Innovation Center (5G EIC) in Bangkok, with the aim to accelerate 5G innovation through ecosystem collaboration and boost the digital economy.
The center will serve as a sandbox for the development of digital innovations for 5G applications and services across various industries in Thailand. These innovations will create new business opportunities for SMEs, startups and educational institutions, enabling Thailand to become a digital hub of the ASEAN region.
On behalf of Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, Mr. Buddhipongse Punnakanta, Minister of Digital Economy and Society, delivered the keynote speech themed “Incubating 5G Ecosystem to Support the Digital Transformation of Thailand 4.0” at the opening ceremony.
“Thailand takes a crucial step toward moving into a new socio-economic era. Thailand is among the first countries in ASEAN to be on track to adopt 5G technology, which not only offers innovative services and seamless experiences, but is also reshaping all industries toward digitalization. This is one of the Prime Minister’s and the government’s greatest priorities,” said the Minister Buddhipongse Punnakanta.
According to the minister, the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society has come up with the ‘Action Plan to Leverage 5G Technology’ as a guideline and mechanism to ensure that 5G can be most effectively utilized in all aspects.
“Thailand 5G EIC is empowered by Huawei with their global leading technologies, experiences and know-how. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the company for the important collaboration,” said the Minister Buddhipongse Punnakanta, “5G EIC is a milestone that will inspire the adoption of 5G technology in Thailand. This crucial step will urge digital transformation in all industries, pave the way to achieve Thailand 4.0. This will create new value and opportunities, while also enhance Thailand’s potential as a leader in digital development in the region.”
Thailand 5G EIC, located at the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa), provided testbed for use cases such as 5G Medical Care, 5G Smart Agriculture, 5G Port, 5G Remote Education and 5G Smart Security, etc.
It is designed to accelerate the 5G ecosystem and incubate local digital SMEs and startups to embrace technologies such as Cloud, AI, and IoT in the digital transformation. The 5G EIC will also cultivate Thailand ICT talent and upgrade digital skills to meet the global standards.
During the ceremony, depa also announced the “Thailand 5G Ecosystem Partnership Alliance.”
“depa’s mission is to drive Thailand towards the digital economy. Thailand 5G EIC will bring together an international alliance network to drive Thailand digital innovations in long run. Therefore, the collaboration between depa and global leading companies like Huawei in establishing 5G EIC will greatly enrich the ecosystem. I would like to thank Huawei for their continued contributions toward Thailand’s acceleration in growth of sustainable ecosystems,” said depa President and CEO, Dr. Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin.
At the ceremony, Huawei revealed its 475 million Thai baht plan for 5G EIC, which will include Huawei’s leading 5Geqipments and solutions, and worldwide partners to Thailand. The tech company vows to incubate over 100 local SMEs and startups annually to adopt 5G solutions for different vertical industries in three years.
“5G EIC will be firstly launched in Thailand among ASEAN countries, It marks an important milestone for the 5G development in the country and even in the region,” said Abel Deng, CEO of Huawei Thailand, “It is a great honor for us to be one of the initiators and the main partner of visionary project. Huawei is fully committed to nurture the 5G ecosystem and support the Thailand 4.0 initiative with the global leading experiences and resources.”