Cisco to power secure digital connectivity for Thailand’s innovation hotspot, EEC Silicon Tech Park
Cisco, worldwide leader in technology that powers the internet, announced a collaboration with Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), PlanetComm, and EEC Silicon Tech Park (STP) to provide secure digital connectivity underlying the Ban Chang Digital Innovation and Advanced Technology Centre at EEC STP. Cisco’s Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) program is driving the project under its smart cities pillar, which aims to unlock opportunities for Thailand’s digital economy through the digitalization of its national infrastructure. Besides providing secure internet and cloud connectivity for the EEC STP, Cisco will also showcase its innovations for smart buildings, smart cities, secure hybrid work, and smart workspaces.
Touted as the next “Silicon Valley of the East,” EEC STP is envisioned to be a vibrant and dynamic district underpinned by cutting-edge technology and sustainable urban living spaces. It is built to support the government’s strategic plan to transform Thailand into a value-based economy supported by innovation, technology, and creativity and is expected to attract an investment of 2.2 trillion baht ($61.97 billion) in the country’s industrial east over the next five years. Central to EEC STP is the Ban Chang Digital Innovation and Advanced Technology Centre, the next frontier of advanced technology and innovation powered by secure networks that can withstand the most demanding environments required for tomorrow’s innovations.
From connecting siloed machines in industrial complexes to powering new capabilities with autonomous robots, connectivity is fundamental to breakthroughs in innovations. Through CDA program, Cisco will establish heterogeneous network access at EEC STP with ultra-high speed internet connectivity, secure public Wi-Fi access with its whole suite of secure connectivity solutions including Cisco Umbrella and Ultra-Reliable Wireless Backhaul to connect smart poles that will be deployed throughout the EEC STP.
Driving Industry 4.0 use cases with a new era of connectivity
Designed to help network providers meet the growing traffic needs of global data centers and public/private cloud networks, the Cisco Network Convergence System (NCS) 5500 Series offers industry-leading 100 GbE and 400 GbE port density to handle massive traffic growth. It is designed for operational simplicity and efficiency to meet the scaling needs of large enterprises, web, and service providers. The NCS platform also supports segment routing and ethernet VPN, key market-leading software innovations to help providers simplify their network architecture.
This brings a new speed to businesses and supports their digital journeys as they plan, design, and experiment with proof of concepts, especially with cloud and edge innovations such as autonomous and robotic production systems in sectors like manufacturing or logistics that typically require high network bandwidth. This instant connectivity positions the innovation centre as the perfect destination for businesses to exchange ideas and design roadmaps with technology innovations that map back to their current and future demands. Visualizing how these state-of-the-art technologies can be integrated into real-life applications can also help public sector agencies, city planners and digital service providers in their quest to deploy 4.0 technologies for smart city developments.
To bring to life real-life applications from next-generation technologies, Cisco will also be showcasing its own portfolio of smart building, smart city, secure hybrid work, and smart workspace solutions. This includes everything from connecting environmental sensors and smart lighting to power sustainable living to smart building management tools that leverage Wi-Fi to provide insights on occupancy metrics and end-to-end security solutions, including the use of multi-factor authentication to enable secure access to corporate applications.
Equipping a new generation of talents with digital skills
Closely aligning to the company’s purpose of powering an inclusive future for all, Cisco will also support and develop the next generation of IT professionals residing in the tech park. Cisco’s 25-year legacy in equipping talents with digital skills through its Cisco Networking Academy program will also see it partner with PlanetComm, Mavenir Systems and 5G Catalyst Technologies to provide high-quality IT and cybersecurity courses, learning simulators and hands-on learning opportunities to engage talents in the EEC STP.
Ph.D. Kanit Sangsubhan, Chairman of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Advisory Board, said, “EEC has collaborated with leading innovation private sectors; Cisco, PlanetComm and Silicon Tech Park, to develop the “Ban Chang Digital Innovation and Advanced Technology Centre” in the EEC SILICON TECH PARK using 400 Gbps high-speed Internet technology. This is an investment in digital infrastructure in the EEC area and will accommodate modern workers with healthier lifestyles, support investment from the private sectors, attract global leading companies to invest in research and development (R&D) to expand digital business in the EEC area, and create more space and opportunities for startup businesses. Moreover, it will be a training center that helps develop digital professionals in the EEC while building the EEC SILICON TECH PARK to be a digital model city or the Silicon Valley of the East. This will attract investment in digital, accelerate smart industry, upgrade workforce’ digital skills and create investment opportunities according to the EEC Phase 2 plan to achieve the goal of Baht 2.2 trillion ($61.97 billion) by 2027. This initiative will also address the requirements of New S-Curve industries and create more jobs with better income in a balanced and sustainable way.”
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Djitt Laowattana, Special Advisor, Education/ Human Capital and Technology Development, Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) said, “The EEC SILICON TECH PARK project will be the center of research and advanced tech1nology for the EEC. It will dramatically increase the collaboration in terms of personnel development in the fields of robotics, automation and digital. The industrial sector in the EEC area will obtain knowledge and increase the use of automated production systems with advanced Internet technology in this area. Meanwhile, we plan to train new talents to develop their expertise in the robotics & automation industry with the goal of 5,000 professionals within five years to motivate global entrepreneurs to invest in the EEC area.”
Edward Grant, Senior Advisor, EEC Silicon Tech Park, said, “Located at a prime location in Ban Chang within a 10-kilometer radius of the heart of the EEC, the development of the EEC STP will serve as the centerpiece of our audacious plan to be the ultimate frontier for centers of advanced technology and innovation. With the availability of high-speed internet connectivity powered by Cisco, EEC STP Park can already nurture any digital connectivity for tenants' activities, including research and development in all industries such as aviation, medicine, finance, tech, and many others. We aim to leverage renewable energy and green technologies to create an environment that is sustainable, future-proof and ecological. Ultimately, EEC STP is set to inspire, stimulate and spark the soul and spirit of innovation in all brilliant minds and we are delighted to partner with Cisco on this journey.”
Prapat Rathlertkarn, Chief Executive Officer, Planet Communications Asia Plc., said, “PlanetComm has partnered with Cisco through Cisco’s CDA program to drive digital transformation in Thailand. We are deploying a 400 Gbps internet gateway to provide ultra-high-speed Internet services in the area of EEC STP. This is one of the significant components of digital infrastructure development and one of the four important factors to build a prototype of the smart digital city, which are high-speed internet, reliable power system, clean water and fresh air, health & well-being. This prototype will also be used for developing other cities in Thailand.”
Taveewat Chantaraseno, Managing Director, Cisco Thailand and Myanmar, said, “The future of Thailand’s smart cities relies on a secure network backbone, as connected devices, data and platforms form the bedrock of smart city services. We are excited to partner with our ecosystem partners under our CDA program to bring a new future of secure connectivity to residents and businesses in the EEC STP and unlock the opportunities of Thailand’s digital economy ambitions. Together, this is where businesses will pilot and testbed a new era of connected experiences for Thailand and deliver meaningful digitally enabled experiences like smart lighting and intelligent transport systems to enhance the lives of the people of Thailand.”
