Huawei to invest $15 million to open 5G innovation center in Thailand

Huawei Thailand will invest 475 million baht (about $15 million) to establish a 5G ecosystem innovation center at the headquarters of Thailand's Digital Economy Promotion Agency (Depa), the Bangkok Post reported.

The center will research 5G use cases and will incubate 100 local SMEs and startups within three years.

The innovation center is a collaboration with Thailand's Ministry of Digital Economy and Society and Depa to explore new ways to use 5G in a variety of industries.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Minister of Digital Economy and Society Buddhipongse Punnakanta said this is an important milestone that shows Thailand's readiness to become the digital hub of ASEAN by harnessing 5G technology to improve economic and social development.

The minister said that commercial 5G services will be available across Thailand in the coming months.

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha also asked the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society to make 5G services available to everyone in order to reduce inequality and create equal opportunities. 5G-enabled smartphones currently cost up to 31,000 baht (US$987).