Thaicom Public Company Limited is making headlines with its groundbreaking initiative to bring cutting-edge satellite internet to remote areas, beginning with the Doi Wiang Pha community in Chai Prakan District, Chiang Mai. The introduction of advanced satellite technology and space services aims to revolutionize the quality of life in these regions by enabling telemedicine, digital education, online transactions, and robust satellite mobile networks.
This wave of innovation is bolstered by IoT solutions and a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite platform, which also supports Earth observation projects, such as a carbon credit platform, all in line with Thailand’s ESG mission.
Ekachai Phakdurong, Chief Strategy Officer at Thaicom Public Company Limited, enthuses, “For over three decades, Thaicom has been at the forefront of combining stable business operations with the mission to improve quality of life for both the community and the country. We are committed to ensuring comprehensive communication coverage and equality in Thailand. We’ve made substantial strides in providing internet services to remote communities across the nation and have supported over two dozen academic initiatives to ensure children, youth, and local residents have easy, convenient access to satellite internet. However, there are still many areas that face internet shortages and need more support. Our commitment remains steadfast in enhancing the quality of life in these remote areas through advanced satellite and space technologies, maximizing the benefits these innovations bring to these communities.”
Doi Wiang Pha in Chai Prakan District, Chiang Mai, stands out as a beacon for sustainable community management, thanks to the deployment of new services under Thaicom’s latest communication satellite. This technology, known as Software Defined High Throughput Satellite (SD-HTS), ensures stable signal transmission and universal access. Best of all, the transmission can be redirected to other regions and service channels can be expanded as required.
Other developments elevate the digital experience by offering streaming services on an online platform with blazing-fast speeds exceeding 100 Mbps. This supports a multitude of applications including telemedicine, digital education, online transactions, and large-scale data transfers. Additionally, extensive 4G/5G network connectivity via a stable satellite system offers broad coverage, facilitated by easy-to-install portable signal transmission receivers that boost community usage.
Thaicom has also inked a fruitful collaboration with LEO, a premier global platform, to harness IoT devices that aid in asset tracking and ensuring the safety of both community members and tourists. This collaboration extends into Space Tech, leveraging Thaicom’s satellite expertise to deliver services like Big Data analysis, satellite imagery, and geographic information—all powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML). The new platforms and services, including Earth Insights, bring forth solutions like CarbonWatch, CropWatch, CityWatch, ClimeWatch, and CirrusWatch, all designed to enrich lives through the marvels of space technology.
Ekachai Phakdurong adds, “The pioneering efforts undertaken at Doi Wiang Pha in Chai Prakan District, Chiang Mai, have reached new heights in education, career development, telemedicine, environmental conservation, and tourism promotion. These achievements underscore our unwavering dedication to fulfilling our ESG objectives while nurturing community, societal, and environmental growth.”
This is fantastic news for remote communities! Access to the internet is a basic necessity these days.
But at what cost? Satellite internet is not cheap. Who’s footing the bill here?
Probably the taxpayers. I think investments in infrastructure like this are worthwhile, though.
Even if it costs a bit, it’s worth improving lives and providing opportunities for education and healthcare.
The internet speed over 100 Mbps sounds impressive. I can barely get that in urban areas!
That’s because satellite tech is making great strides. Frequencies in LEO are less crowded.
But remember, speeds can fluctuate due to various factors like weather or network congestion.
Ok, I get the hype, but how reliable is this satellite internet? Rain can affect it, can’t it?
True, but modern satellites are designed to minimize such interference. Plus, the benefits far outweigh the occasional downtime.
Guess we’ll have to see how it performs over a longer period. Hope they have contingency plans.
Finally, rural areas won’t be left in the dark ages! What a massive leap forward for education!
Absolutely, educational opportunities are endless with reliable internet.
But what if the equipment breaks? Who maintains it?
I believe local communities will be trained to handle basic maintenance. Thaicom probably has plans for that.
What about the environmental impacts? More satellites mean more space debris.
Good point. Space debris is becoming a huge issue, but new tech aims to reduce waste.
Agreed! Every tech advancement must consider long-term environmental impacts.
Telemedicine can change lives in these remote locations. Imagine not having to travel miles for a simple consultation.
Telemedicine is a game-changer, especially for urgent healthcare needs.
As a doctor, I can say this will reduce strain on overburdened health facilities.
Absolutely, it streamlines healthcare and makes it accessible.
Can tourists also benefit from this tech? More connectivity would make traveling less stressful.
Yes, it looks like part of the initiative includes ensuring the safety and convenience of tourists too.
That’s awesome! More places to visit without worrying about internet access.
These IoT solutions are fascinating. IoT combined with satellite imagery can revolutionize agriculture and conservation.
Spot on! Farmers can access real-time data for better yield management.
We’ve only scratched the surface of what IoT can do. Exciting times ahead!
Let’s not forget the importance of secure online transactions for these communities. It’s a step towards financial inclusion.
Security is key! I hope Thaicom invests in robust cybersecurity measures.
What’s most promising is that this tech can be redirected to other areas if needed. Flexible and scalable.
Exactly, it can be a blueprint for other regions to follow.
I’m just concerned that once the tech is set up, it might not get the continuous support it needs.
Sustainability is crucial. Thaicom needs to ensure long-term support.
The impact on digital education will be phenomenal! Kids can finally get access to quality resources.
This will help bridge the educational gap between urban and rural areas.
I hope this leads to job creation in tech and education sectors in these communities.
Tech infrastructure often does lead to job creation and new opportunities.
Everything sounds great, but let’s be real—how soon can this be replicated in other regions?
Scaling projects like this takes time, but with success, others will follow.
This sounds like a PR stunt more than anything. Will they actually deliver on these promises?
We’ll have to wait and see. Skepticism is justified until proven otherwise.
Let’s give them a chance to prove their dedication. It could really change lives!