Publicly-listed Now Telecom Co. has secured a $2.15-milion grant from the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) to fund a feasibility study for the development of a nationwide 5G mobile and broadband network in the Philippines.
NOW Telecom has selected New Jersey-based Bell Labs Consulting, part of Bell Labs, the research arm of Nokia, to conduct the study.
The grant agreement was signed last Friday by NOW Telecom Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mel Velasco Velarde and Nokia Bell Labs Managing Partner Stefan Wilhelm.
Under the USTDA grant, the feasibility study will provide NOW Telecom with the necessary analysis, designs, and plans for the phased implementation of the project. It will also include the establishment of a 5G pilot network at multiple sites in Metro Manila to validate network performance, test 5G use cases, and provide data to inform larger scale deployment.
This project aims to support the digital transformation of the Philippines by helping to meet the growing demand for high-bandwidth, reliable, and secure digital services from households and industry in the Philippines.
The feasibility study grant furthers U.S. digital policy in line with the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, which aims to promote secure digital infrastructure in the region to bolster economic growth and facilitate open digital societies.
“This 5G grant demonstrates the U.S. commitment to developing quality digital infrastructure and increasing access to affordable connectivity in the Philippines,” United States Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink, one of the witnesses to the agreement said.
Department of Information and Communications Undersecretary for Connectivity Angelo Nuestro, also a present during the deal signing, said: “The open innovation platform that this partnership seeks to give will enable the broader Philippine society to take a leap towards a connected future. We welcome these opportunities that will improve the lives of Filipinos.
