U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Thailand

USTDA Supports Next Generation Wi-Fi for Improved Healthcare in Thailand

Bangkok, Thailand – March 15, 2024:  Yesterday, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency signed a grant agreement with Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University for a feasibility study and pilot project to support Thailand’s progress toward adopting next-generation Wi-Fi technologies that can transform its healthcare sector.  Ramathibodi Hospital selected U.S.-based non-profit industry group Wi-Fi Alliance, to conduct the study.  U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo witnessed USTDA’s grant signing during a ceremony that took place in Bangkok.

“Hospitals need high-quality digital infrastructure to fully realize the transformational benefits of many emerging, lifesaving technologies,” said Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA’s Director.  “Through this partnership with Ramathibodi Hospital and Wi-Fi Alliance, USTDA aims to deploy U.S. innovation that can support Thailand’s adoption of next-generation technologies to enhance its medical education and service delivery.”

Technologies like virtual and augmented reality are sophisticated and powerful tools, but they are deeply dependent on fast, secure connectivity that can process high volumes of data with minimal delay.  Next-generation Wi-Fi technologies offer a solution.  The USTDA-funded study will include proof-of-concept for the deployment of Wi-Fi 6E technology at Ramathibodi Hospital, one of Thailand’s leading public teaching hospitals.  The initial pilot phase will demonstrate how the technology, which enables faster speeds and lower delay by opening the 6 GHz spectrum band, could improve medical education and service delivery in areas such as virtual and augmented reality for anatomy training.  The second phase of the pilot will test the performance of Wi-Fi 6E in a dense technical environment.  Successful deployment could serve as a model for nationwide adoption of next-generation Wi-Fi connectivity.

“This collaborative pilot project will play an important role in the widespread implementation of Wi-Fi 6E technologies in the health sector in Thailand, especially for improving medical education and ultimately enhancing medical services for the greater good and betterment of the nation, which is the most crucial mission that we hold onto,” said Clin. Prof. Artit Ungkanont, M.D., the Dean of Faculty of Medicine at Ramathibodi Hospital.

“With this pilot project, the U.S. government and U.S. technology leaders are offering their support to demonstrate how the 6 GHz band can enable the next generation of Wi-Fi and play a major role in the growth of Thailand’s healthcare sector and broader digital economy,” said U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Robert F. Godec.  “We are confident that this initiative will allow both Thailand and the United States to derive greater benefit from the technology.”

Kevin Robinson, CEO of Wi-Fi Alliance, said: “Wi-Fi is critical infrastructure in healthcare facilities, and opening the 6 GHz band brings tremendous opportunity for global innovation and significant socioeconomic impact.  The Ramathibodi Hospital project will demonstrate the potential for 6 GHz Wi-Fi to revolutionize and reshape healthcare throughout Thailand and across the globe.”

USTDA’s support for this project advances the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, with the goal of developing, expanding, and deploying secure digital infrastructure to power economic growth and facilitate open digital societies, and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity.

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency helps companies create U.S. jobs through the export of U.S. goods and services for priority infrastructure projects in emerging economies.  USTDA links U.S. businesses to export opportunities by funding project preparation and partnership building activities that develop sustainable infrastructure and foster economic growth in partner countries.

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