Thailand explores smartcard potential
Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra recently announced his hopes of expanding the country's technological prowess by constructing a nationwide network of data centers. According to the Bangkok Post, the initiative is primarily motivated by the government's desire to accomodate an emerging smartcard market.
"Apart from the party's One Tablet per Child campaign and free public WiFi, many innovative technology projects are likely to be seen," one official told the news source.
Prior to assuming the nation's highest position, Shinawatra formerly served as president of Advanced Info Service, Thailand's largest mobile communications provider. The prime minister is hoping to leverage his background and political support to spawn a new digital era for the Southeast Asian country.
Additional data centers would bolster the capacity of the nation's entire computing infrastructure and help citizens use their smart ID cards to streamline transactions with a variety of municipal agencies. One private telecommunications company has already made an $8 million investment in the expansion of its data storage facilities.
Industry forecasts from Frost and Sullivan have predicted nearly 200 million government ID cards will ship worldwide in 2011, with the Asia-Pacific region demonstrating strong adoption.
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Tags: Government ID News
