Call for changes to make Thailand a major digital nation
The association said the country should also build a strong national 5G brand and prioritise digital inclusion.
The GSMA is a global organisation representing mobile operators and organisations across the mobile ecosystem and adjacent industries.
Thailand has become a "quiet achiever" in 5G, Julian Gorman, GSMA's head of Asia-Pacific, told the Bangkok Post, noting the country's leadership in the region alongside Singapore, which are deemed to be the two most experienced 5G nations within the region's footprint.
Mr Gorman said that to sustain and enhance its leadership position, Thailand should focus on optimising spectrum management and make the 3.5-GHz spectrum available to foster significant innovation.
Moreover, it should set a reasonable spectrum pricing, treating it as if a government were investing in a digital nation, rather than focusing on selling spectrum assets at the highest price.
High spectrum prices are not conducive to the collaborative building of a strong digital nation, he added.
Lessons from Vietnam and India show that significantly reducing spectrum prices, along with offering incentives such as rebates for the network rollout exceeding the obligations, can accelerate 5G deployment and adoption.
Vietnam launched 5G last October and its government announced over the past two months that it would rebate 15% of network rollout costs for those who can go beyond licence obligations in terms of network rollout, said Mr Gorman.
This is an incentive for operators to move beyond their minimum commitments to creating a national 5G network to power the economy.
In addition, policymakers need to ensure sufficient spectrum allocation.
The GSMA recommends 80-100 MHz per operator for the mid-band spectrums.
The government should ensure this amount is available to avoid scarcity and drive competition and connectivity.
Meanwhile, a clear roadmap for future spectrum availability is essential to cater to increasing data demands.
While the manufacturing sector globally accounts for approximately 40% of the 5G benefits, significant opportunities are also being explored in Thailand's tourism and services sectors.
The broader Asia-Pacific mobile economy, excluding China, is projected to be worth about US$1 trillion by the end of this decade, with 5G alone contributing an estimated $130 billion of that value.
In an unfavourable economy, costs are a major hurdle for 5G adoption.
"Innovation can adjust the perception of cost, making smartphones and digital services more appealing by increasing their value proposition," Mr Gorman said.
The government can act as an "anchor tenant" by digitising its services, making it cheaper and easier for citizens, especially those at the bottom of the pyramid, to engage via smartphones, thereby increasing the value of the phones.
While 5G adoption is important, it's equally critical to close the usage gap by ensuring everyone is connected and encouraging users of older technologies to migrate to newer ones.
STRONG 5G NATIONAL BRAND
Despite being a "quiet achiever" in 5G, Thailand needs to be "a bit louder" about its vision and achievements to attract more foreign direct investment, innovation and startups, Mr Gorman said.
A strong 5G national brand, akin to how Thailand promoted its tourism globally, could significantly elevate its international recognition, he added.
Moreover, the country has a big role to play in guiding Asean's digital transformation through initiatives such as spectrum harmonisation which ensures common frequencies and timelines, enabling a "rising tide lifts all boats" scenario that benefits the entire region through efficient technology rollout and economies of investment.
Mr Gorman said that while Thailand currently operates with two main mobile network players, a number "below the average in the region", the emphasis for continued innovation should be on fostering competition at the front line of services, rather than solely on infrastructure numbers.
A robust regulatory framework and policy that encourages innovation and invites investment is critical.
This involves reducing the cost and complexity of launching new businesses and potentially offering incentives for specific types of innovation to invigorate the 5G ecosystem.
AI FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH
Mr Gorman said the widespread availability of AI in people's pockets has democratised its use, enabling everyone to easily "do something with AI".
Governments nurturing the AI ecosystem and innovation can unleash a new ecosystem of innovation and use cases.
AI plays a crucial role for telecom operators by making customer care "very personal", improving the efficiency of business operations, and making networks smarter.
Mr Gorman said that "AI for networks" uses AI to optimise resource allocation and predict and repair faults, making networks faster and more efficient.
Conversely, "Networks for AI" ensures networks are smart enough to handle the changing traffic profiles driven by AI use cases, which often involve more data uploads to the cloud. This synergy supports the monetisation of new use cases for operators.
Mr Gorman said Thailand is at the leading edge of GSMA's Open Gateway API (application programming interface) program, such as APIs like SIM swap alerts, and particularly the scam signal API that demonstrates a 90% effective rate in identifying potential scam victims in the UK.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Bangkok Post
9 hours ago
- Bangkok Post
Explainer: What is Japan's trade policy on rice?
TOKYO - US President Donald Trump has complained that Japan was not buying American rice, putting pressure on Tokyo as it struggles to seal a trade deal before so-called "reciprocal" tariffs are set to kick in on July 9. Tokyo has not budged on rice, a staple food and cultural heritage that it says is fundamental to its national food security. The rice market is largely protected with trade barriers, although a domestic shortage and a spike in prices have led to a surge in imports this year. What is Japan's trade policy on rice? Under a World Trade Organization (WTO) "minimum access" framework introduced in 1995, Japan imports about 770,000 metric tonnes of rice tariff-free every year. Up to 100,000 tonnes of that is earmarked for staple rice, equivalent to about 1% of total domestic consumption of about 7 million tonnes. Of the total 767,000 tonnes Japan imported in the last fiscal year to March 2025, 45% came from the United States. Beyond the "minimum access" framework, Japan imposes a levy of 341 yen (76 baht) per kilogramme, which has, for the most part, effectively priced imports out of the market. As domestic rice prices soared over the past year, a panel advising the Finance Ministry proposed expanding imports of staple rice - which is eaten at meals rather than used for feed or as an ingredient in other products - saying that lifting the 100,000-tonne tariff-free cap could help stabilise supply. In the annual report released by the US Trade Representative in March, Washington criticised Japan's rice import and distribution system as "highly regulated and nontransparent" and said that it limited US exporters' ability to have "meaningful access" to Japanese consumers. Is Japan importing more rice? A doubling in domestic rice prices from the levels of a year ago has fuelled a surge in imports, as businesses and consumers clamour for cheaper options. In the fiscal year that ended in March 2025, tariff-free imports of staple rice hit the 100,000-tonne cap for the first time in seven years. About 60,000 tonnes came from the US. In an effort to provide cheaper rice to consumers more quickly, the Farm Ministry brought forward to June a tender usually held in September for the first 30,000 tonnes of tariff-free, imported staple rice for this year. Of the total tendered, 25,541 tonnes were from the US, followed by 1,500 tonnes from Australia and 708 tonnes from Thailand. For tariffed staple rice, private companies imported some 10,600 tonnes in May alone, of which about three-quarters came from the US, according to Finance Ministry data. That compares with total imports of 3,004 tonnes for all of fiscal 2024. What happened in the last US-Japan trade deal? The last bilateral trade deal was sealed in 2019 during Trump's first term, with then-Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The US aimed to restore its farmers' lost market share after Trump pulled the US out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade pact in 2017. Japan made concessions on US beef and pork, agreeing to gradually lower or eliminate tariffs, but rice was left out. Under TPP, Japan would have accepted 70,000 tonnes of US staple rice per year tariff-free under a US-specific quota, but this was not included in the bilateral deal.
Bangkok Post
a day ago
- Bangkok Post
Russia becomes first country to recognise Taliban govt
KABUL - Afghanistan's government said on Thursday that Russia had become the first country to officially recognise its rule, calling it a "brave decision". The Taliban swept back to power in 2021 after ousting the foreign-backed government and have imposed an austere version of Islamic law. They have keenly sought official international recognition and investment, as the country recovers from four decades of war, including the Soviet invasion from 1979 to 1989. The announcement was made after Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi met with Russia's ambassador to Afghanistan, Dmitry Zhirnov, in Kabul on Thursday. "This brave decision will be an example for others... Now that the process of recognition has started, Russia was ahead of everyone," Muttaqi said in a video of the meeting on X. "Russia is the first country which has officially recognised the Islamic Emirate," Taliban foreign ministry spokesman Zia Ahmad Takal told AFP, using the government's name for their administration. Muttaqi said it was "a new phase of positive relations, mutual respect, and constructive engagement", the foreign ministry posted on X. Russia's foreign ministry added on Telegram: "We believe that the act of official recognition of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan will boost the development of productive bilateral cooperation between our countries in several areas." It highlighted potential "commercial and economic" cooperation in "energy, transportation, agriculture and infrastructure". The ministry said that Moscow hoped to continue helping Kabul "reinforce regional security and fight against the threats of terrorism and drug-trafficking". Moscow has taken recent steps to normalise relations with the Taliban authorities, removing them from a list of "terrorist organisations" in April and accepting a Taliban ambassador in Kabul. In July 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin called the Taliban "allies in the fight against terrorism". Russia was the first country to open a business representative office in Kabul after the Taliban takeover, and has announced plans to use Afghanistan as a transit hub for gas heading to Southeast Asia. - 'Allies' - Only Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates recognised the Taliban during their first stint in power from 1996 to 2001. This time, multiple other states, including China and Pakistan, have accepted Taliban ambassadors in their capitals, but have not officially recognised the Islamic Emirate since the end of the then-insurgency's two-decade war with US-led NATO troops. There has been limited but growing engagement with the Taliban authorities, particularly from regional neighbours, but also major global players China and Russia. However, restrictions on women and girls, barring them from education and squeezing them from public life, have been key sticking points for Western nations. Multiple Afghan women activists were quick to condemn Russia's recognition. The move "legitimizes a regime that bans girls from education, enforces public floggings, and shelters UN-sanctioned terrorists", said Mariam Solaimankhil, former member of Afghanistan's parliament. "The move signals that strategic interests will always outweigh human rights and international law." Senior Taliban figures remain under international sanctions, including by the United Nations. Another former MP in Kabul, Fawzia Koofi, said any recognition of the Taliban "will not bring peace it will legitimize impunity" and "risk endangering not just the people of Afghanistan, but global security".
Bangkok Post
2 days ago
- Bangkok Post
Call for changes to make Thailand a major digital nation
Strategic spectrum allocation with reasonable pricing, the fostering of innovation, and the promotion of telecom competition are crucial for Thailand to become a prominent "digital nation" in Southeast Asia, according to the GSM Association (GSMA). The association said the country should also build a strong national 5G brand and prioritise digital inclusion. The GSMA is a global organisation representing mobile operators and organisations across the mobile ecosystem and adjacent industries. Thailand has become a "quiet achiever" in 5G, Julian Gorman, GSMA's head of Asia-Pacific, told the Bangkok Post, noting the country's leadership in the region alongside Singapore, which are deemed to be the two most experienced 5G nations within the region's footprint. Mr Gorman said that to sustain and enhance its leadership position, Thailand should focus on optimising spectrum management and make the 3.5-GHz spectrum available to foster significant innovation. Moreover, it should set a reasonable spectrum pricing, treating it as if a government were investing in a digital nation, rather than focusing on selling spectrum assets at the highest price. High spectrum prices are not conducive to the collaborative building of a strong digital nation, he added. Lessons from Vietnam and India show that significantly reducing spectrum prices, along with offering incentives such as rebates for the network rollout exceeding the obligations, can accelerate 5G deployment and adoption. Vietnam launched 5G last October and its government announced over the past two months that it would rebate 15% of network rollout costs for those who can go beyond licence obligations in terms of network rollout, said Mr Gorman. This is an incentive for operators to move beyond their minimum commitments to creating a national 5G network to power the economy. In addition, policymakers need to ensure sufficient spectrum allocation. The GSMA recommends 80-100 MHz per operator for the mid-band spectrums. The government should ensure this amount is available to avoid scarcity and drive competition and connectivity. Meanwhile, a clear roadmap for future spectrum availability is essential to cater to increasing data demands. While the manufacturing sector globally accounts for approximately 40% of the 5G benefits, significant opportunities are also being explored in Thailand's tourism and services sectors. The broader Asia-Pacific mobile economy, excluding China, is projected to be worth about US$1 trillion by the end of this decade, with 5G alone contributing an estimated $130 billion of that value. In an unfavourable economy, costs are a major hurdle for 5G adoption. "Innovation can adjust the perception of cost, making smartphones and digital services more appealing by increasing their value proposition," Mr Gorman said. The government can act as an "anchor tenant" by digitising its services, making it cheaper and easier for citizens, especially those at the bottom of the pyramid, to engage via smartphones, thereby increasing the value of the phones. While 5G adoption is important, it's equally critical to close the usage gap by ensuring everyone is connected and encouraging users of older technologies to migrate to newer ones. STRONG 5G NATIONAL BRAND Despite being a "quiet achiever" in 5G, Thailand needs to be "a bit louder" about its vision and achievements to attract more foreign direct investment, innovation and startups, Mr Gorman said. A strong 5G national brand, akin to how Thailand promoted its tourism globally, could significantly elevate its international recognition, he added. Moreover, the country has a big role to play in guiding Asean's digital transformation through initiatives such as spectrum harmonisation which ensures common frequencies and timelines, enabling a "rising tide lifts all boats" scenario that benefits the entire region through efficient technology rollout and economies of investment. Mr Gorman said that while Thailand currently operates with two main mobile network players, a number "below the average in the region", the emphasis for continued innovation should be on fostering competition at the front line of services, rather than solely on infrastructure numbers. A robust regulatory framework and policy that encourages innovation and invites investment is critical. This involves reducing the cost and complexity of launching new businesses and potentially offering incentives for specific types of innovation to invigorate the 5G ecosystem. AI FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH Mr Gorman said the widespread availability of AI in people's pockets has democratised its use, enabling everyone to easily "do something with AI". Governments nurturing the AI ecosystem and innovation can unleash a new ecosystem of innovation and use cases. AI plays a crucial role for telecom operators by making customer care "very personal", improving the efficiency of business operations, and making networks smarter. Mr Gorman said that "AI for networks" uses AI to optimise resource allocation and predict and repair faults, making networks faster and more efficient. Conversely, "Networks for AI" ensures networks are smart enough to handle the changing traffic profiles driven by AI use cases, which often involve more data uploads to the cloud. This synergy supports the monetisation of new use cases for operators. Mr Gorman said Thailand is at the leading edge of GSMA's Open Gateway API (application programming interface) program, such as APIs like SIM swap alerts, and particularly the scam signal API that demonstrates a 90% effective rate in identifying potential scam victims in the UK.
