Free internet for low income earners with registered welfare cards

Photo: Backyard Travel

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has announced a project where some 1.8 million registered low-income earners, especially in remote areas, will receive internet in their home for three years.

As part of a Universal Service Obligation (USO) project, the aim is to close the ‘digital gap’ providing internet access to 2.1 million households or 6.3 million people in 3,929 remote villages by the end of next year.

Some households registered with the government’s welfare card program in the areas will have free internet access for three years or until April 30, 2024. The NBTC will be subsidising the 200 baht a month subscription rate being offered in the remote areas for a 30/10 Mbps internet service.

The USO project states that all villages in Thailand will have access to broadband, a required task already completed for the regions.

The project will provide all people with equal access to new government services such as telemedicine (allowing patients to consult doctors online), telehealth (providing health care advice online), remote learning, and tele-education.

5,229 free public Wi-Fi access points will be installed by NBTC from 2019 to 2024, in addition 107 tambon hospitals and 1,210 schools will have broadband links.

The USO project is financed by the USO fund which is contributed to as a percentage of revenue by telecom operators.

SOURCE: Bangkok Post