Thailand's digital future is rapidly evolving, driven by cutting-edge technologies like 5G, AI, and IoT, which are transforming industries and enhancing connectivity across the nation. As the government and leading telecom companies push for smart cities and connected industries, the country is on the path to becoming a major digital hub in Southeast Asia. With initiatives aimed at developing robust digital infrastructure, fostering cross-industry collaborations, and advancing sustainability, Thailand is positioning itself at the forefront of the global digital economy, ready to meet the challenges and opportunities of the next technological era.
In an exclusive interview with Telecom Review Asia at FutureNet Asia 2024, held on September 17-18 at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore, Mr. Wasit Wattanasap, Head of Nationwide Operations & Support Business Unit at AIS, shared insights into the company's 5G expansion strategies, AI integration, and its pivotal role in advancing Thailand’s digital economy.
As 5G expands and the push towards autonomous networks becomes more pronounced, how is AIS preparing its infrastructure to accommodate future technologies like 6G?
The way we are working now is not just preparing for 6G infrastructure, but focusing on creating a sustainable network operation that will adapt to whatever comes next, be it 6G, 5.5G, or even beyond. At AIS, we are heavily invested in autonomous networks and intelligent IT systems, aiming to build a foundation that allows us to do more with our networks and IT backend. This not only serves end-to-end processes but also enhances the customer experience.
Autonomous networks enable us to manage costs, increase operational efficiency, and differentiate our products and services. It is all about ensuring that whatever 'G' comes next; we are ready to tackle it while maintaining a seamless experience for our customers.
What partnerships or collaborations is AIS forging to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving telecom landscape? How do these partnerships contribute to your long-term network strategy?
Partnerships are key at this stage, especially since the ultimate goals of the telecom evolution are still unfolding. Collaboration across industries and with partners helps us share successes, learn together, and scale our efforts.
For instance, AIS is actively involved in the TM Forum, and contributes to white papers, shares use cases, and helps set industry standards such as API gateways. These collaborations are crucial in enhancing our services, networks, and open platforms. By aligning with industry standards and fostering partnerships, we ensure long-term success and adaptability in an ever-changing landscape.
What role will AIS play in Thailand’s evolving digital economy, particularly with the rise of smart cities and connected industries?
In Thailand’s digital economy, AIS is committed to driving progress through three key pillars: digital infrastructure, cross-industry collaboration, and sustainability. As leaders in the telecom sector, we have established a strong foundation with extensive digital infrastructure, including 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, and fiber optics across the country.
However, building smart cities and connected industries requires more than just advanced networks; cross-industry collaboration is essential. While we can manage mobile networks on our own, creating smart cities requires partnerships with other industries. No company can achieve this alone, and collaboration is crucial to success. We work closely with different sectors to understand their unique needs, identify pain points, and tailor our solutions accordingly.
The third pillar encompasses people and sustainability. AIS is part of the nation, and we are evolving with Thailand. As part of our approach, we intend to ensure that our digital transformation benefits the people, supports sustainable growth, and contributes to the development of smart cities and connected industries.
Thailand already has 140% mobile penetration, meaning most people carry more than one mobile device. The next step for growth is to expand into IoT and connected industries, enhancing every aspect of people’s lifestyles through digital innovation.
What role does AI play in future-proofing AIS’s network operations? How do you think AI will reshape network operations in the next five to ten years?
AI is set to become a cornerstone of our network operations. We are aiming for a cognitive takeover where real-time interactions and personalization become the norm. We are embedding AI into every process, both internally and in customer interactions. For instance, in terms of network provisioning, we are moving towards fully autonomous operations.
By 2025, we aim to achieve level-four AI integration in selected processes, and we are already close to reaching level 3.5 in some areas. The goal is to shift from zero-touch networks to predictive networks. That means identifying and resolving potential issues before they affect customers. For example, rather than waiting for a customer to report a problem, AI will allow us to anticipate and resolve it before they even realize it occurred. This shift will significantly enhance customer satisfaction and operational efficiency, making AIS more proactive in delivering seamless experiences.
