AIS is advancing a crucial mission, aiming to develop and expand the 5G smart network to have comprehensive coverage in every area—widest, farthest, highest, and deepest in Thailand. The latest announcement reinforces its actual position as a leader by declaring the success of “SEA COVERAGE” on the coastal areas of the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. It promotes innovative intelligence network infrastructure and cutting-edge technology ready to serve in all aspects, including speed, strength, and coverage. Being the first and foremost in Thailand, it meets the needs of various user groups, including the Tourism Sector, Fisheries Sector, and Local Community Sector such as ferry services, yacht operators, hoteliers, and restaurant owners, both from Thailand and abroad. This initiative supports the growth of the ocean economy in every dimension.
Mr. Wasit Wattanasap, Head of Nationwide Operations and Support Business Unit, AIS stated, “The critical mission at the core of AIS Team is the continuous delivery of services with signal quality and innovation that is always ready to connect without limitations. Therefore, we never cease in the ongoing development of the network to continually enhance its capability to meet evolving and diverse needs, including improving coverage in areas where it was already present. This is in response to the ever-changing and varied demands.”
“For the coastal areas of the Thai seas, spanning over 3,000 kilometers, including both the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, recognized for their amazing splendor and abundance in the natural world, they are fantastic travel destinations for travelers across the world. These areas have contributed significantly to the country, generating up to 1.21 trillion baht in the past year. Moreover, they play a crucial role in fostering the economic growth of the coastal region through various industries such as coastal and deep-sea fisheries, land development, tourism-related activities, and associated services. This encompasses government services for the public, as well as tourists, including public utilities, port services, and various types of water transport like ferries, yachts, and speedboats. It also involves businesses in the hotel, restaurant, and various tour services sectors. Therefore, the management of the network quality in the coastal and maritime areas, known as SEA COVERAGE, has been a primary mission for us to support the optimal economic growth of these coastal regions.”
Mr. Wasit elaborated on the development of digital infrastructure in the maritime area, stating, “Expanding the SEA COVERAGE, poses significant challenges due to the unique geographical features, ranging from coastal areas, islands, and extending to the open sea, including energy sources. This requires our engineering team to apply skills and experience in designing the architecture of the network. It involves integrating transmission systems and selecting innovative, eco-friendly energy solutions that align with the geography and behaviors of customers in each sector. This ensures that the AIS 5G intelligence network is not only communication-ready but also capable of meeting the digital experiences of customers and businesses in every segment. We can categorize users based on behavior and geographical location, allowing us to tailor the network to address the specific needs of each group.”
Tourism Sector, covering over 95% of the usage area beyond tourists themselves, will benefit from the digital experience on the AIS 5G network. Government agencies, such as national parks and the Port Authority, as well as water police, can also connect to communication systems and digital services, including IoT and Tourism Smart Data, to facilitate services for both Thai and international tourists. This extends to businesses like yacht and ferry services, where the AIS communication network provides continuous coverage along all routes. Introducing innovations like Super Cell, the network is now capable of transmitting signals between points over a maximum distance of more than 70 kilometers, as demonstrated in real-world testing starting today.
Fisheries Sector and safety in the coastal areas of both the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea are of great importance. The fisheries industry plays a crucial role in the coastal economy, also known as the Ocean Economy. This includes both small-scale coastal and village fisheries, utilizing small boats for fishing within a range of approximately 3-12 nautical miles, as well as commercial or deep-sea fisheries that venture beyond the coastal fishing zone. Both groups require effective communication for various purposes, including business transactions with fish buyers, ensuring safety, and maintaining contact with families onshore. Additionally, this encompasses the responsibilities of state authorities, including the military and the coast guard, who oversee maritime security. AIS is capable of providing comprehensive coverage and services in these areas.
Local Community Sector, situated along the coastline and on islands, has developed a network covering over 98% of service users. This includes both mobile and high-speed internet services that cater to the business needs of local entrepreneurs. The digital infrastructure has elevated local businesses and public utilities to a higher level, responding to the demands of the community.
Mr. Wasit concluded by stating, “We sincerely hope that the quality of AIS SEA COVERAGE will be ready for the crucial upcoming period at the end of this year when both domestic and international tourists will be traveling for vacations. This period marks the peak of the tourism industry, reinforcing the growth and resilience of the coastal economy moving forward.”
