Free 10GB perk
Depa allocates B90m to 47 startups
From April 10 to 30, mobile users can register for an extra 10 free gigabytes of data.
To register, users have to dial *170* followed by the 13 digits of their Thai ID number, and call. The free 10GB assistance will last a month, starting from the date they register.
Mobile users can register for 10 free gigabytes of data usage, starting from April 10, as part of a public assistance scheme during the Covid-19 crisis, according to the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC).
They have to dial *170*, followed by the 13 digits of their ID cards, # and then call out, which should take less than five minutes. Registration ends on April 30. Mobile users receive 10GB of data free for a month, starting from the date they register.
Users can only receive assistance from the scheme once, regardless of how many mobile subscriptions they have. Applicants must be Thai nationals and subscriptions under juristic persons are ineligible.
NBTC secretary-general Takorn Tantasith said the three major mobile operators have agreed to facilitate the move.
The board of the regulator’s Broadcasting and Telecommunications Research Fund (BTRF) yesterday approved allocating 3 billion baht from the fund to support such assistance. The BTRF board also resolved to spend 1 billion baht assisting state hospitals in buying medical equipment to deal with the outbreak.
Up to 180 state hospitals have sought financial assistance from the NBTC, though only 50 of them submitted the necessary documents for such requests. Total demand for assistance has reached 851 million baht, Mr Takorn said.
Meanwhile the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (Depa) will divert most of its budget for Digital Thailand Big Bang 2020, which was scrapped because of the outbreak, to support 47 startups working to develop core tech and infrastructure.
Digital Thailand Big Bang 2020 is a tech symposium and exhibition that was scheduled for September, but the 115-million-baht event was cancelled following the Covid-19 crisis.
Several other tech shows that were planned from March to May have been postponed until around September, including Tech Conference by Rise and Tech Show by Techsauce.
“It is impractical to move on with the original plan,” said Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin, the agency’s president and chief executive.
Some 90 million baht will be used to support 47 digital startups whose businesses are expected to help develop national core technology and infrastructure, he said. These startups cover six areas: agriculture, education, finance, government services, tourism and healthcare as well as smart city development.