Somchai Lertsutiwong, Chief Executive Officer of Advanced Info Services Plc. (AIS), and an executive of Advanced Wireless Networks Co., Ltd (AWN), the company receiving allocation of the 1800 MHz spectrum for 12,511,000,000 baht, represented the company in making the third tranche of payment for the 1800 MHz waveband of 3,346,642,500 baht (three billion, three hundred and forty-six million, six hundred and ninety-two thousand and five hundred baht only) including Value Added Tax. The money goes to the national treasury for further development of the country.
Somchai commented, "For the last 31 years, AIS has been creating transformation and providing Thailand with a digital arsenal through investments of over 500,000 MB on Digital Infrastructure and a further 200,000 MB on spectrum licenses. This includes training a digitally expert workforce for both AIS and its partners. We have unlocked digital platforms with 5G technology possessing capabilities which are the equal of any leading industrialized nation.
"Thailand has internationally-acknowledged advantages in both professional expertise and 5G infrastructure which we will exploit to build national resilience. This needs collaboration from three sectors. The Thai public must be ready to apply digital technology in every aspect of their lives. A robust state sector, represented by NBTC, is required to manage the immense resources at their disposal with efficient policies. They combine with the private sector, which includes both network service providers and every group of operators in the Digital Ecosystem, to continue investing and striving to build the Digital Infrastructure providing customers optimal service. I am confident that Thailand will be the growth hub for a digital industry which can cope with all the challenges of the current situation."