Cisco Celebrates 20 Years of Connecting Thailand and Digitizing the Economy

BANGKOK, THAILAND--(Marketwired - Nov 27, 2014) - Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO), the worldwide leader in IT, celebrates 20 years of operations in Thailand, having played a key role in digitizing the economy and transforming Thailand. Cisco technologies, expertise and solutions have been embraced by business and organizations in, changing the way Thais' work, live, play and learn. For example, Cisco played a crucial role in building the first Internet PoPs (Points of Presence) with a commercial service provider, Internet Thailand Co. Ltd (now known as "Internet Thailand Public Company Limited or INET) which went "live" on 1^st March, 1995.

"Cisco plays a critical role in enabling a transformation in Thailand through information and communications technologies and our expertise and vision mirrors Thailand's aspirations for a 'Connected Digital Economy'. Over the last 20 years, Cisco has collaborated with businesses, educational institutions and government agencies across the region to use the network as a platform for transforming economies, communities and society. We are focused on creating strategic, relevant and sustainable programs by supporting economic empowerment through programs that develop skills, increase employment opportunities and driving community enablement. Helping people connect and collaborate are a part of our core values and now it's totally proven that these have helped transform business, and driven productivity, economic development, and social enablement around the world. Looking ahead, the role of the network will be increasingly important for innovation, and productivity in all industries," said Vatsun Thirapatarapong, country manager for Cisco in Thailand and IndoChina.

Cisco also made significant contributions to bridging the digital divide in Thailand by developing ICT skills and networking knowledge through its Networking Academy® program. Since the program's inception in 1998, Cisco has trained more than 34,960 students through its 45 education institution partners. More than 36% of these students are female. The Networking Academy Program is the flagship of Cisco's social investment programs worldwide and uses a public-private partnership model with educational institutions, nonprofits, governments and other international and local agencies.