SK Telecom has signed a contract with CAT Telecom, a state-owned telecommunications service provider in Thailand, for the deployment of IoT networks and provision of technology consulting.
Under the contract, SK Telecom and CAT will deploy LoRa-based IoT networks in central areas of Bangkok and the entire Phuket Province to deliver IoT services to Thai residents from April 2017.
In Phuket, SK Telecom and CAT Telecom will first launch LoRa-based vehicle location tracking service, and roll out more IoT services including smart metering and smart street lighting services going forward.
Phuket was selected because the Thai Government has selected Phuket as its first smart city project, making aggressive efforts to transform the island into an innovation-driven smart city.
The companies will also roll out LoRaWAN in central areas of Bangkok including the Grand Palace, and offer an IoT-based location tracking service for tourists.
In particular, the service is expected to prevent people especially children and the elderly from going missing near the Grand Palace, where a large number of mourners are visiting to pay their respects to the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
“Through collaboration with SK Telecom, a global leading player in the field of IoT, CAT Telecom will be able to successfully carry out the government project,” said Sanpachai Huvanandana, CEO of CAT Telecom. “CAT Telecom will work with SK Telecom to deliver the first IoT service in Thailand so as to realize a true Smart Life.”
The partnership will also help nurture new ICT ecosystem by cooperating with many related companies, said Cha In-hyok, executive vice president and Head of IoT Business Division of SK Telecom. “Going forward, SK Telecom will collaborate with CAT Telecom in more areas to create more success stories in Thailand and other Southeast Asian markets.”
Meanwhile, SK Telecom, CAT Telecom and NHN KCP, a Korea-based company mainly engaged in the payment gateway business, also announced that Tree Pay, a joint venture established by the three companies, has launched its first payment gateway service in Thailand.
