Smart projects to drive up IoT adoption
THE ADOPTION of the Internet of Things (IoT) service and devices in Thailand is expected to be ramped up in next few years, mainly driven by projects such as smart cities and smart home, Advanced Info Service (AIS)’s head of Nationwide Operations & Support Department Wasit Wattanasap has said.
He added that the IoT devices are being used in various sectors such as logistics, healthcare, farming, and smart city projects.
The IoT technology can enhance the urban living quality as it can be applied by private or state sector to provide the security and convenience to consumers. It can also be utilised for the environment and energy management, he added.
The IoT refers to everyday physical objects being connected to the Internet and be able to identify with other devices. Many organisations in Thailand have begun to adopt the IoT technology to strengthen their operations.
The leading mobile phone service provider AIS has recently launched the nationwide enhanced Machine-Type Communication (eMTC) network, following its launch of the nationwide Narrow-Band Internet of Things (NB-IoT) network last May.
The dual networks will complement each other in supporting the use of the IoT devices. The launch of the dual networks is in line with AIS vision of becoming the digital platform for Thais.
Among the benefits of the eMTC network are that it can send and receive data between mobile devices such as connected cars, and can send and receive large amount of data that exceeds NB-IoT network capacity.
The NB-IoT network supports IoT-enabled devices as many as 100,000 units per base station and with operating range exceeds 10 kilometres per base station. The network is good for supporting the stationary or slow moving IoT devices. AIS NB-IoT network has utilised the 900MHz band to provide the service, while its eMTC network has utilised the 1800MHz band.
AIS has partnered with several organisations to introduce the IoT technology to their operations, including PTT, Krotron Group and Thammasat University.
IDC Asia/Pacific released in July this year the latest IDC Worldwide Semiannual Internet of Things Spending Guide Asia/Pacific (excluding Japan) (APeJ), which projects spending on the IoT to reach US$291.7 billion in 2018, up by 12.1 per cent from $260.1 billion last year.
The forecast covers the spending on all parts of the IoT ecosystem, not just devices, but also cellular and fixed networks, IoT Applications, IoT Platforms, and also data analytics software.
According to Randy Roberts, research director - IoT & telco for IDC Market Research, Asia Pacific, the total spend on IoT in Thailand in 2018 is forecasted to be $4.4 billion.
