Second National ICT Master Plan 2552-2556 (2009-2013)

The Cabinet has approved the Second National ICT Master Plan B.E. 2552 - 2556 (2009-2013) on 5th August 2552 (2009).

The Cabinet approved all four of the proposals put forward by the Ministry of ICT.

1. Approval of the Second National ICT Master Plan B.E. 2552 - 2556

2. Every ministry, department, state enterprise, local adminstration body and related agency to come up with their own ICT plan in accordance with the Second National ICT Master Plan

3. The Bureau of Strategy and Planning, Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communication Technology as secretariat of the national ICT committee is to be responsible for coordination with various agencies for development of their ICT plans as well and for budgeting as well as measure and follow up on progress.

4. Central government agencies related to resource allocation (Bureau of the Budget, Civil Service Comission, Office of the Public Sector Development Commission) to use the Second National ICT master plan to reform and and develop their ICT infrastructure during the duration of the plan (2552 to 2556).

Key sections of the plan can be summarised as follows:

1. Vision. Smart Thailand.

2. Mission. Develop ICT human resources in both quality and quantity; develop high speed ICT networks; develop good governance frameworks for ICT governance.

3. Objectives. Increase ICT human resource numbers and capability; create good governance in ICT; support manufacturing; empower communities and individuals; empowering businesses and the ICT industry.

4. Goals.

• 50 percent of the population know of; have access to; and can create information in a manner that is with discretion, aware, just and moral; thus leading to benefits for education, work and everyday life.
• Raise Thailand into the top 25 percent of countries according to the networked readiness index.
• Increase the share of ICT industries to 15 percent of GDP.

5. Strategy. The second ICT master plan is made up of six strategies.

• Create an ICT workforce that can create with; develop; and use ICT with awareness and discretion.
• Manage ICT with good governance (national ICT governance)
• Develop basic ICT infrastructure.
• Use ICT for good governance in the public sector.
• Increase the competitive of Thailand's ICT industry to add value to the country's economy and generate income.
• Use ICT for sustainable growth.

The second ICT master plan (2552 - 2556) is a national ICT development plan that follows on from the IT2010 plan and the first ICT master plan, updated with new policies to keep up with the changes in technology, economics and society. The plan is both a tool and an opportunity for increasing the competitiveness of Thailand. It is a clear sign that the government is using ICT to develop the country.

Rough translation from Nectec Academy.

iPhone 3GS - Let's do the math.

Now that the initial rush of getting the press release online is out of the way, let us do the math.

In the UK on O2, the iPhone 3Gs 16GB is 440 / 540 pounds for the 16/32 GB versions (not that the 16GB version seems to be available in the shops but...) on prepaid but locked. That price includes one year of WiFi/3G access thrown in.

On contract, the 16G 3GS is free on hefty 45 a month two year contracts and 32G still needs 97 pounds payment even with the 45 a month tariff (1200 minutes / 500 sms a month). So over two years a 16GB iPhone 3GS works out at 1,080 pounds with the lots of minutes and texts. Google tells me that is 61,411 Baht.

The biggest TrueMove monthly package (in the press release at least) is 869 Baht for 600 minutes and 400 text messages. Half the minutes but a heavy user package nonetheless. That works out to 20,856 over the two years we are looking at. Add the cost of the phone at 24,500 and the cost for two years of heavy use is 45,356.

In that light, the TrueMove phones prices don't come out that bad actually. Now, if only they could get their network to work properly, we would all be happy.

iPhone 3GS deliveries to start 28 August

TrueMove opens reservations for the new iPhone 3G S Wi-Fi beginning August 5,
Handsets available August 28.Delivering a full range of lifestyle entertainment right to your hand to speed up your new generation lifestyle!

Bangkok, August 3, 2009: TrueMove once again reinforces its leadership in fast paced lifestyles with the launch of the new iPhone 3G S Wi-Fi in Thailand on August 28, 2009 by inviting iPhone fans to reserve the fastest, most powerful iPhone yet. The innovative breakthrough handset features 2x speed, video recording and editing, a 3 megapixel digital camera, autofocus, Thai language support and many other features. Customers can stay connected via TrueMove’s convergence network which includes 3G on a trial service across downtown and in the central business districts of Bangkok, Hua Hin and Phuket. Moreover, they can enjoy automatic connections to more than 18,000 Wi-Fi by TrueMove hot spots nationwide. Reservations for the new iPhone 3G S Wi-Fi will be open between August 5-24, 2009 at www.truemove.com or at True Shops around the nation.

According to Mr. Papon Ratanachaikanont, Assistant to President & CEO and Deputy Group Chief Commercial Officer, True Corporation Plc, “True is focused on promoting the fast paced lifestyle for Thai consumers and extending the successful launch of the iPhone 3G Wi-Fi in Thailand via the introduction of the new iPhone 3G S Wi-Fi. The new “S” model supports 2x speed performance and many other innovative features. Customers can make advance reservation between August 5-24, 2009 with a deposit of THB 2,000 and they can specify the True Shop where they want to receive their handset at www.truemove.com. Customers can also reserve and pick up their iPhone 3G S Wi-Fi at the True Shop branch that is convenient for them. They can pick up their iPhone 3G S Wi-Fi from August 28 to September 3, 2009. The launch of iPhone 3G S Wi-Fi reinforces True’s commitment to provide a hi-speed online experience for customers to enjoy via 3G, Wi-Fi and EDGE/GPRS networks. The TrueMove 3G service is currently available on a trial basis in downtown Bangkok including Silom, Siam, Sathorn, Ploenchit, Sukhumvit, as well as Suvarnabhumi Airport, Cha-am, Hua Hin and Phuket. We also have over 18,000 hi-speed Wi-Fi hotspots nationwide. With the iPhone 3G S Wi-Fi, customers can access news, information and content with a one-time login to the True Wi-Fi system of over 18,000 Wi-Fi spots around the country.”

iPhone 3G S Wi-Fi is the latest innovation in the Apple iPhone family and it supports new features to meet all lifestyles. The iPhone 3G S Wi-Fi comes with 2x speed performance, video recording and editing, a 3 megapixel digital camera, autofocus, voice control, electronic compass, extended use battery and many other features.

TrueMove has developed new iPhone applications to provide more convenience and meet customer needs. Among the 27 applications available at the App Store are True Wi-Fi, TrueMusic, Thai Top Load, Thai Dict, TrueSport, Thai Stock Watch and Thailand Guide. Customers can also enjoy 24-hour TNN hot news TNN Channel 24 and cheer for their favorite dream hunters on the True AF 6 reality program.

TrueMove iPhone 3G S Price Plans

Model	Selected Package	Other Customers		For TrueVisions Gold/Platinum package customers and TrueOnline customers*
		Phone only	Phone & Basic Package (12 months)	Package A 24 months	Package B 24 months	Package C 24 months	Package D 24 months
16GB (Price of phone: THB 24,500)	Payment for Phone	THB 24,500	THB 24,500	-	-	-	-
	Upfront payment	-	-	-	THB 5,999
	Installment payment for phone	-	-	THB 1,020.83	THB 770.88	THB 1,020.83	THB 1/020.83
32GB (Price of phone: THB 28,500)	Payment for Phone	THB 28,500	THB 28,500	-	-	-	-
	Upfront payment	-	-	THB 2,500	THB 9,499	THB 3,500	THB 2,500
	Installment payment for phone	-	-	THB 1,083.33	THB 791.71	THB 1,041.67	THB 1,083.33
Monthly Payment			THB 599	THB 599	THB 400	THB 569	THB 869
Voice calls			300 mins	300 mins	100 mins	200 mins	300 mins
SMS			300	300	200	300	400
MMS			50	50	20	50	100
3G**/EDGE/GPRS			unlimited	unlimited	10 hrs	2GB	unlimited
Wi-Fi (Speed 1 Mbps)			unlimited	unlimited	20 hrs	unlimited	unlimited

* For TrueVisions Gold/Platinum customers or TrueOnline customers (Baht 890 package and up) with membership/subscription since September 1, 2008
** 3G services are offered on a non-commercial trial basis

To cater to the iPhone’s popularity, TrueMove has opened the 3G Lounge on the 4^th Floor, TrueMove Square, Siam Square 2 to provide after sales service and information on iPhone 3G and iPhone 3G S functionality and applications.

To show its appreciation and thanks to existing TrueMove iPhone 3G Wi-Fi customers for their trust and confidence in TrueMove services and network, the company will be sending them a thank you letter together with a gift voucher which can be redeemed for a limited edition genuine TrueMove iPhone leather case that is not available anywhere else. Gift redemption is available at the True Shop specified in the letter.

Source: True Press release