Now Telecom Co. Inc. of businessman Mel Velarde has completed the documentation imposed under a technical assistant grant provided by the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) such that the deployment of its 5G mobile and nationwide broadband network (NBN) is now in full swing.
NowTel and Nokia of America Corp. have signed a secondary agreement to the USTDA-funded grant on the deployment of a secure NowTel 5G mobile network and NBN in the country.
“This marks the completion of the execution of all the required documents for the USTDA project. The project is now in full swing,” NowTel said.
In January, NowTel signed an agreement with USTDA for a P118 million grant supporting the Velarde-led telco’s development and implementation of a mobile and fixed wireless network using 5G technology.
NowTel also said the TA is undertaken with Bell Labs Consulting (BLC), a US registered company engaged in telecommunications research and scientific development, as prime contractor.
“The TA will provide NOW Telecom with the necessary analysis, design, and plans for phased implementation of a nationwide stand-alone 5G wireless network in the Philippines using an industry-validated approach,” it said.
Underscored in the TA is that NowTel commits itself to using only trusted suppliers for the project.
BLC adheres to a “clean network” policy supporting the implementation of a cyber-secure network safeguarding the data privacy of NowTel’s enterprise and its residential customers.
In addition to the deliverables, Bell Labs are to develop detailed estimates of the amount of funding required to pursue the large-scale deployment, including the 5G network, the NBN and various components.
The technical assistance will also examine the availability of grant, equity, and debt financing from potential domestic and international donors, investors, and financial institutions including but not limited to the Export-Import Bank of the United States and the U.S. Development Finance Corporation.
“BLC will then assess the level of interest of these organizations on the terms of potential financing and specific financial requirements for full-scale implementation.
The objective of the TA and 5G pilot launch is to support NowTel’s plan to launch a 5G stand-alone network in the Philippines that will contribute to the overall improvement of broadband connectivity as well as increase competition.
NowTel said the 5G pilot launch will use network and radio equipment, core network, and software developed and supplied by Nokia Americas and its subsidiaries.
