The Potential Demand of the Development of Telecommunication Services in GMS Information Superhighway Network Project Case Study: Thailand and Lao PDR

Abstract

Abstract In 1992, Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) member countries in cooperation with Asian Development Bank have initiated the GMS Cooperation Program with the objective to promote the growth of trade, investment, industry and agriculture to support services, employment and enhance well-being of local people. Telecommunication Services as being a crucial mechanism to promote economic and social opportunities, therefore, needs to be developed. Telecom infrastructure must be strengthened in order to lead GMS region to overcome the domestic constraints and promoting trade and investment to boost economic growth. The GMS‘s governments have initiated ―GMS Information Superhighway Network Project‖ aiming to put into place a regional large-capacity backbone network connecting all six member countries, through which the users can get access to basic telecommunication services such as high-quality voice, data and Internet services as well as information services like e-commerce, e-learning and e-health. The researcher‘s study on the behavior of 3,122 Thai and Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR.) users along the cross border area has shown that 78.2 percentages has fixed-lined telephone while up to 75.5 percentage use mobile phone. The Internet usage is mainly for working and searching data while the objective of using telecom services, especially mobile phone, is for communicating. Most people used Internet at home while office is a secondary place followed by Internet cafe and ICT Learning Center. Internet is mostly used by people living in town, teenagers, business persons and people working in the office. The findings of this study can reflect the basic needs of people living in the areas. The outcome of the study indicated that the high quality of telecom services along the border areas is crucial to serve the demand of the people‘s needs. Keywords: GMS countries, development, telecommunication infrastructure service, Information Superhighway Network