Singapore Telecommunications (Singtel) has executed a joint development agreement (JDA) with Gulf Energy Development Public Company Limited (Gulf Energy) and Advanced Info Services Public Company Limited (AIS) to jointly develop and operate data centres in Thailand on Feb 3.
Gulf Energy is Thailand’s largest private power producer, while AIS is one of Thailand’s leading telcos. AIS is also a regional associate of Singtel.
The JDA follows a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by Singtel and Gulf Energy on Sept 30, 2021.
According to Singtel, the collaboration is part of the telco’s strategy to develop a regional data centre business with partners and associates by capitalising on the strong growth potential of digital infrastructure.
AIS has a large local sales force, local data centre operations know-how and will be able to provide connectivity solutions for the data centre business.
Its strengths will complement Singtel’s expertise in developing and operating world-class data centres and established relationships with multinational hyperscaler customers and Gulf Energy’s extensive local business network and access to land and power, including green energy.
See also: Singtel denies report it is 'exploring options' over Australia unit
AIS’s inclusion in the partnership will help strengthen and boost plans to build Thailand’s leading data centre business and capture the rapid growth in demand for digital infrastructure in Thailand from both local enterprises as well as hyperscalers, says a statement put out by Singtel on Feb 3.
Under the JDA, all three parties say they will “work closely and expeditiously to establish the joint venture company”.
The selection of sites has already taken place and the company will begin developing best-in-class data centres that use energy efficient technologies and green energy solutions in the coming months.
See also: Singtel secures $535 mil five-year green loan, its first
As at 9.13am, shares in Singtel are trading 5 cents higher or 2.06% up at $2.48.
Photo: Samuel Isaac Chua/The Edge Singapore
