Nokia Bell Labs managing partner Stefan Wilhelm (seated left) and NOW Telecom chairman and CEO Mel Velasco Velarde (seated right) sign the P118-million USTDA grant in the presence of US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink and DICT Undersecretary Angelo Nuestro. (Photo courtesy of US Embassy)
The deployment of a 5G Mobile Network and Nationwide Broadband Network in the Philippines is in full swing after the NOW Telecom Company Inc. and Nokia signed the Secondary Agreement with the US Trade and Development Agency that funds the project.
In a press statement on Sunday, Now Telecom said the development marks the completion of the execution of all the required documents for the project.
USTDA’s funding will support NOW Telecom’s development and implementation of a mobile and fixed wireless network utilizing 5G technology through Technical Assistance or TA.
The TA will provide NOW Telecom with the necessary analysis, designs, and plans for the phased implementation of a nationwide stand-alone 5G wireless network in the Philippines using an industry -validated approach.
Among the deliverables of the TA is the design of a nationwide stand-alone 5G wireless network, the design and planning for a nationwide broadband network, and the design and implementation of a pilot 5G network in Metro Manila.
A component of the TA is an economic and cost-benefit analysis to document the benefit of the project to society.
The analysis is critical for its partner organizations in obtaining support from government stakeholders, financial institutions, and other parties that may engage in the Project.
Other components of the TA include Policy and Regulatory Analysis, Environment and Development Impact Assessment, and Project Implementation Plan.
The TA also mandates that NOW Telecom should only tap trusted suppliers for the project.
Meanwhile, BLC, an American company that will serve as prime contractor, should also adhere to a “Clean Network” policy to support the implementation of a cyber-secure network to safeguard the data privacy of NOW Telecom’s enterprise and residential customers.
The Project is an initial step in the partnership of NOW Telecom with the U.S. Government as announced during the visit of US VP Kamala Harris.
Maria Romero To recall, the White House released a Fact Sheet outlining the new initiatives to strengthen U.S.-Philippines Alliance in November 2022.
SOURCE: DAILY TRIBUNE
