China, Thailand to jointly develop regional telecommunication networks

BEIJING, June 29 (TNA) - China and Thailand have agreed to jointly develop land and marine telecommunication networks in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) that also connect with China and Hong Kong. The agreement was reached between China Telecom Global Co., Ltd. and Thailand's CAT Telecom Public Company Limited (CAT), both are leading Chinese and Thai telecom state enterprises, in Beijing on June 28 when Thai Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak led his delegation to hold talks with executives of China Telecom Global Co., Ltd. On the occasion, Deputy Prime Minister Somkid, who oversees national economic affairs, also witnessed the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between both sides. Under the MOU, China Telecom Global Co., Ltd. and CAT will jointly invest in developing the regional Internet networks connecting Thailand with Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, China and Hong Kong by installing cables on the ground and under the sea. Thai Information and Communication (ICT) Minister Uttama Savanayana told journalists that the bilateral cooperation pact is the first of its kind, paving the way for expanding regional connectivity over the next 3-5 years in line with the Chinese government's One Belt One Road Policy, under which the Internet connectivity between China and the GMS member countries that are also the member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a part. The minister said if the cooperation is successful, the participating economies will all benefit from faster telecommunications through the new Internet networks. In case of Thailand, the minister acknowledged, the newly-developed land and marine Internet networks will further support the development of the country's targeted industries and enable people in the Kingdom to access to hi-speed Internet services more efficiently with more reasonable prices. In the meantime, CAT announced that the installment of ground cables will be started later this year and it should be completed within two years, while the installment of underwater cables will be followed thereafter. (TNA)