Thai satellite and space technology company mu Space Corp has signed a deal to support Thailand’s transition to a digital economy.

The multilateral agreement, signed between mu Space, Thai government agency Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA), state-owned telco CAT Telecom and other private organizations, calls for cooperation to build a Digital Park and an Internet of Things (IoT) Institute in Thailand to help fast-track the country’s digital transformation.

Commenting on the agreement, mu Space CEO and founder James Yenbamroong said: “We support the government in its digital transformation efforts. We have several satellite solutions in place to help accelerate the adoption of IoT and smart cities in Thailand. We believe the solutions we develop will help bridge the digital divide, improve the quality of life and enable Thai cities to become more sustainable for the future.”

Earlier in July, the Thai government revealed the vision of developing a Digital Park to support the country’s plan to become a destination hub in Southeast Asia for technology and innovation. According to the plan, the Digital Park will have a super-fast broadband infrastructure, submarine cable station, data center and satellite earth station. The park is proposed to be built on a 960,000sqm land in Sriracha, located in the eastern province of Chonburi.

In addition to the Digital Park, the local government will establish an IoT Institute inside the park. The institute will offer IoT courses, and promote the use of IoT in agriculture, manufacturing and e-commerce.

Satellite technology will provide invaluable digital solutions for the Digital Park and IoT Institute, highlights James.

“From telecommunications and environmental monitoring to navigation and emergency management, the use of satellites is predicted to grow over the next decade. We look forward to the commencement of work and delivering the project according to the high standards we are expected to meet.”

There are many challenges ahead to fully integrate different technologies, including satellites, into the Digital Park and IoT Institute, notes James, but there are also many opportunities to make this project possible and success may well depend on collaboration.

“The need is for continued collaboration by government decision makers and technology providers who can collectively deploy the full range of digital solutions. To do this, respective players must reach out to others and develop bigger plans built on a long-term vision, with a detailed roadmap to get there,” concludes James.

Aside from mu Space, other private companies and academic institutions who signed the multilateral agreement include AIS, DTAC, True, China Unicom, Huawei, Burapha University, Institute of Field Robotics and Central Group.

The deal was signed at the Digital Thailand Big Bang event. Dubbed as Thailand’s largest technology exhibition, some 100,000 people participated in the event from 21 to 24 September.