Thaicom Contracts AWS to Establish Cloud-Based Network Infrastructure in Asia

Thaicom satellites readying for launch (photo by SpaceX)

Thaicom is the latest satellite player to sign a deal with Amazon Web Services (AWS) as it looks to deploy a cloud-based satellite TV broadcast distribution platform for the Asia Pacific region. The two companies signed a contract on March 31 to manage a broadcast platform consisting of cloud services providing software-defined encoding, transcoding, and statistical multiplexing capabilities that will leverage AWS Elemental media services.

Thaicom said it uses AWS Elemental media services to help scale its business, enhance customer experiences, and support development of Thailand’s broadcast industry landscape. It is also using AWS to help establish its Earth observation data analytics platform and to support Thaicom’s new space economy initiative. Using AWS to help power the Thaicom data analytics platform also serves to help the company diversify its reach across new verticals, including government and private sectors in agriculture, maritime, energy, healthcare, and education.

“This agreement marks the beginning of a successful, long-term collaboration between Thaicom and AWS. I am confident that advancing our satellite TV broadcast platform using the world’s leading cloud will deliver innovative broadcast solutions and provide our customers with end-to-end solutions built on AWS. Beyond the satellite business, Thaicom sees opportunities in driving the emerging space sector with cloud. AWS helps us develop an earth observation data analytics platform and bring innovations to strengthen our position as a leader in satellite and space technology in the digital era,” Patompob (Nile) Suwansiri, CEO of Thaicom said in a statement.

Financial details of the contract were not disclosed.