Thailand - Some (ICT) Facts

As of end 2007, Thailand has more than 50 mn mobile subscribers (80+% teledensity - wow!) and 12+ mn Internet users.

• In line with Internet users, the number of broadband subscribers was growing ; this means greater required bandwidth

• Liberalization of IGW (International GateWay) in 2006; there are 6 (six) international gateway operators in Thailand.

• After liberalization of international gateways, the number of Internet users increases (see pic below)
• In 2007 (right after liberalization of IGW) International Internet bandwidth increased by more than 2.5 times (around 25 Gbps as of Q4/2007)
  

Is any well-known international player licensed as IGW operator in Thailand ??

Thailand - Some ICT Statistics (Source/Courtesy ITU/Vaiva L.)

Lambda Providers

In early 2006, at APAN meeting, Yves Poppe has pointed three (early) transoceanic lambda providers (Yes, it's lambda, not just sub-wavelength capacity): Global Crossing, Level 3 and Tyco (now Tata). Currently, it shall be more than three of course. The interesting point is that demands for lambda services were initially coming from Research and Education (R&E) networking sector - in early 2000s. Well, it's no doubt, SURFnet was at a prominent role at those times.

Early transoceanic gigabit connectivities:

• First transatlantic gigabit level circuit : 2001: 2.5 gig Surfnet to Chicago Starlight
• First transpacific STM-4’s : 2001: two Transpac STM-4’s
• 2002: first transatlantic 10gb : Surfnet leads again

R&E Networking : Toward Dark Fiber

• National R&E networks start to go dark fiber: Canarie’s Bill St.Arnaud and Surfnet’s Kees Neggers amongst trailblazers; Lambda switching and speed records
• High Energy Physics and Astronomy provide much of the intercontinental impetus

Amsterdam - Early Lambda Capital

Credits: Yves Poppe; (formerly or still at) Tata Teleglobe

Jasa Marga's Fiber Optic Link (JSMR)

PT. Jasa Marga (JSMR) has begun developing their own fiber optic infrastructure; their first intercity optical cable links Bandung and Jakarta and it's actually ready for service since the end of 2007. Almost similar to PLN and PGN, it is initially intended to fulfill their internal needs e.g. to connect their offices, automate data collections, surveillance etc. But the cable capacity would surely more than these internal needs. Current terrestrial optical cable shall have at least 96 cores, right ?

• "Perseroan telah menyelesaikan pemasangan jaringan kabel fiber optik di sepanjang jalan tol (Bandung menuju Cawang, Jakarta) dan siap untuk dikomersialkan" (JSMR-2007)
• "T Jasa Marga Tbk (JSMR) berencana memasang kabel optik di sepanjang jalan tol seluruh Indonesia." (Bisnis.com-10/2008)
• Saat ini baru sepanjang jalan tol Jakarta-Bandung yang sudah terpasang, nanti akan kami pasang di seluruh ruas tol," - Direktur Utama Jasa Marga Frans S Sunito (Bisnis.com-10/2008)