Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 13) The US government sealed a deal with NOW Telecom, an affiliate of media and technology holding firm NOW Corp., to expand the 5G network in the Philippines.
In a disclosure on Friday, NOW Corp. said the letter of intent was signed by US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) Director Enoh Ebong and NOW Telecom Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mel Velasco Velarde during the 5th Annual Indo-Pacific Business Forum in Japan.
Under the agreement, a USTDA-funded technical assistance would provide NOW Telecom with “analysis, designs, and plans for phased implementation” of the project’s nationwide rollout of 5G mobile and fixed wireless network. The company earlier secured the US government’s support to finance the advancement of the network in the Philippines.
The company is set to conduct a 5G pilot network in multiple sites in Metro Manila.
The planned partnership was first floated when US Vice President Kamala Harris visited the Philippines in November last year.
The White House’s previous statement said teaming up with NOW Telecom for the deployment of 5G would “provide faster and more reliable digital services and increased broadband internet access for Filipinos countrywide.”
SOURCE: CNNPHILIPPINES
