Thai ICT index improves
Thailand has been ranked as one of the most dynamic countries after recording a significant improvement in its Information and Communications Technology Development Index, according to the International Telecommunication Union's latest report.
The index improved from 91 in 2012 to 81 in 2013.
The ITU will today unveil its annual Measuring the Information Society Report, identifying key ICT developments while tracking the cost and affordability of ICT services in accordance with internationally agreed methodologies.
Its core feature is the ICT Development Index (IDI), which ranks countries’ performance with regards to ICT infrastructure, use and skills.
In the Asia-Pacific, Thailand tends to be ranked 10th and ranked third in Asean, which is led by Singapore and Malaysia.
A telecom analyst said that a key factor in Thailand’s improved IDI was the nationwide 3G network expansion from the auction of 3G-2.1GHz spectra in late 2012.
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, an independent regulator, was successful in the bidding process and the awarding of three licences to incumbent mobile operators Advanced Wireless Network of Advanced Info Services, DTAC TriNet of Total Access Communication and Real Future of True Corp.
The first auction of the 2.1-gigahertz licences in October 2012 saw total licence payments of Bt41.6 billion, which will be transferred to the government within three years.
The trio has invested more than Bt100 billion on wireless data networks nationwide, and there were now 101 million mobile phone subscribers – a 145-per-cent penetration. There were 180 million calls and 250 million Internet connections via mobile networks on daily basis.
Moreover, private operators launched the fixed broadband network to serve high growth in data communication services.
Recently, True Corp announced it would invest Bt 33 billion on fixed broadband networks nationwide within two years.
On top of that, the government announced its effort to make the country a “digital economy”, which would strengthen the economy and drive it forwards in the region.
