Economic Performance Aspect As a telecommunications agency, CAT has increased its focus on digital service in order to raise its organizational competitiveness and modernize its structure, achieving a capability to support modern technology which is quickly changing. In the meantime, in order to comply with the government’s policy of moving Thailand forward toward Thailand 4.0, the company has engaged in the following projects: Expansion of International Submarine Cables In order to equip Thailand with a basic infrastructure network sufficient to support the Big Data technology, and to reinforce Thailand’s strength as the hub of digital information exchange for ASEAN (ASEAN Digital Hub) at Chali Submarine Cable Telecommunication Station 2 Songkhla, it includes the following projects: Expansion of volume in international submarine cable network in order to increase domestic capacity by interlinking border areas with Chali Submarine Cable Telecommunication Station 2 Songkhla. Expansion of volume in existing international submarine cable network, scheduled to be completed in September 2019. Construction of international submarine cable network connecting Thailand with other countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Most recently, CAT is discussing a partnership with service providers in Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia and China. Development of Long-Range Wide Area Network (LoRaWAN) A new network boasts its capacity to support the service expansion of Internet of Things (IoT) and Smart City which has been playing a larger role in our lives. CAT will adopt the Long Range Network (LoRa) in its service, because the wireless technology can cover large areas and use low energy, allowing it to provide IoT services effectively and accrue lower costs than mobile phone networks. The company plans to be providers of network services and other smart services with partners including the SISC Consortium to increase Digital Trunked Radio System (DTRS) in 80 MHz frequency through 1,000 stations around the country in order to support providers in each region adequately: LoRaWAN is under installation in Phuket Smart City project in order to increase usage and cover areas where there is more need for IoT services. CAT has rolled out “LoRa IoT by CAT” services with high efficiency at an affordable cost for beginner developers of equipment applications and advanced developers in order to cover areas there is more need for IoT services in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Nan, Saraburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Chachoengsao, Chonburi, Rayong, Surat Thani, Songkhla and Phuket. 87 Sustainable Development Report 2017 CAT Telecom Public Company Limited