UniNet aims to be R&D hub in Indochina

It will also set up distribution nodes to provide high-speed access for universities, schools and educational institutes around Thailand.

UniNet director Wichan Lertwipatrakul said that in a first stage of expansion, an educational network in Laos would connect with UniNet at speed of 100 megabits per second.

Beyond this, UniNet will enable educational networks in Laos, Burma and Cambodia to connect with global research and education networks such as the Asia-Pacific Advanced Network (APAN), the China Education and Research Network (CERNET), and the Trans-Eurasia Information Network (TEIN2), which is the US research and education network.

"We are conducting tests to connect UniNet and the research and education network in Laos and expect this to be officially launched within this year. We will then begin negotiation and cooperation with Burma and Cambodia to connect their education networks with UniNet," Wichan said.

"The Thai government has a policy of providing more educational opportunities for local people in all regions of the country. This is so that they will have equal educational opportunities and will be able to use local wisdom as a human resource to develop their own communities," he said.

UniNet will also upgrade its backbone network from 1Gbps to 10Gbps in the next few months to increase connectivity between all universities in Thailand and educational and research organisations in US, Europe and Asia. It plans a further Internet infrastructure upgrade next year, from 10Gbps to 20Gbps, and will also implement the latest version of Internet protocol, IPv6.

Wichan said the upgraded network would benefit universities in provincial areas and enhance education and research by providing faster access to academic resources. It will also facilitate interactive distance learning, and provide knowledge with equal opportunities for students in metropolitan and upcountry areas.

Moreover, the network will allow the educational sector to provide telemedicine, tele-education and telemeetings for students as well as disseminating technology locally, regionally and internationally. 

"We are focused on expanding opportunities for people and achieving a nationwide reach, allowing people to access knowledge via our network and the Internet. UniNet now has an infrastructure connecting more than 100 educational institutes and universities around the country," Wichan said.

He said that UniNet's 13 distribution nodes would be educational networks located at local universities, helping them to reduce the costs of connecting with other networks throughout the region.

"We are developing a distribution network and designing a system that will allow local universities to directly access both local and international education networks," Wichan said.

As well, UniNet plans to develop and produce educational TV programmes that it will broadcast to students around Thailand via Internet-protocol TV.

"Our research and educational network will provide opportunities for the transfer of knowledge and technology to students, teachers and ordinary people. It will also promote the sharing of resources among educational institutes both within Thailand and internationally," Wichan said.