SKILL SHARE
Digital workforce necessary for tech
Huawei plans to open its first academy outside China to prepare the local workforce for 5G technology.
Huawei Thailand has vowed to further invest in Thailand with the establishment of the first Huawei Academy outside China to increase the digital skills workforce in preparation for 5G technology and digital transformation.
The company also suggested the telecom regulator support the sharing of base station sites for the 5G network among mobile operators, as well as lower auction prices for 5G spectrum to accelerate adoption of the technology in the country.
“Huawei has invested in the country for two decades and will continue to enable a connected and intelligent
Thailand,” said Abel Deng, new chief executive of Huawei Thailand, at a press event marking its 20th anniversary in Thailand.
The company aims to open a Huawei Academy here next month. The training focus will be on cloud, artificial intelligence (AI) and supercomputing.
The investment in a digital workforce is part of a memorandum of understanding for cooperation between the Chinese tech giant and the Thai government.
Huawei said Thailand has a strategic geographic advantage in Asean and the country is a key mover for 5G adoption in the region.
Mr Deng said the company will work with the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission to boost public understanding about 5G benefits.
The firm, he said, expects the regulator to consider offering inexpensive prices for 5G spectrum licence auctions to boost adoption.
In addition, the regulator should mull having mobile operators share base station sites for the 5G network as such infrastructures are costly — about 80% of the total cost of the network roll-out.
Mr Deng said 5G would help bolster the economy and drive the country towards a digital economy.
The company has 3,200 employees in Thailand, 75% of whom are Thais. In 2018, Huawei’s procurement in the country reached US$196 million (5.93 billion baht).
Huawei has invested in a 5G testbed in the Eastern Economic Corridor project and runs the Open Lab to develop new technology alongside with startups, small and medium-sized enterprises, local partners and customers. At Digital Thailand Big Bang at Bitec from Oct 28-29, Huawei will have a pavilion showcasing 5G, cloud and AI.