Now Telecom Co. Inc. of businessman Mel Velarde said over the weekend the deployment of its 5G mobile network and nationwide broadband network is now in “full swing” after it signed a secondary agreement with Nokia of America Corp. and the US Trade and Development Agency for a technical assistance.

“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.

NowTel signed an agreement in January with USTDA for a P118-million grant to support the company’s development and implementation of a mobile and fixed wireless network utilizing 5G technology.

NowTel said Bell Labs Consulting would undertake the TA as the prime contractor. Bell Labs, a company registered in the US, is engaged in research and scientific development in the telecommunications sector

“The TA will provide Now Telecom with the necessary analysis, designs and plans for phased implementation of a nationwide stand-alone 5G wireless network in the Philippines using an industry-validated approach,” it said.

SOURCE: MANILA STANDARD

  • NOW Telecom Company, Inc. and Nokia of America Corporation’s 5G Mobile Network and Nationwide Broadband Network (NBN) projects, which the U.S. government funded to the tune of $2.15 million (P118.9 Million), are now in full swing.

NOW Telecom Company, Inc. and Nokia of America Corporation’s 5G Mobile Network and Nationwide Broadband Network (NBN) projects, which the US government funded to the tune of $2.15 million,(P118.9 million), are now in full swing.

NOW and Nokia have signed the Secondary Agreement of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA)-funded grant for a Technical Assistance (TA) on the deployment of the two networks in the country.

All the required documents for the USTDA Project have been executed and finished to date.

The USTDA funding supports NOW Telecom’s development and implementation of a mobile and fixed wireless network using 5G technology.

BLC, a US-registered company engaged in telecoms research and scientific development, was designated as the prime contractor to undertake the TA.

Based on the agreement, the key deliverables of the TA include designs for a nationwide stand-alone 5G wireless network, a nationwide broadband network and another for tge implementation of a pilot 5G network in Metro Manila.

Under the TA provisions, NOW Telecom committed to use only trusted suppliers for the project.

Hence, BLC shall adhere to a “Clean Network” policy to build a cyber-secure network for the telco’s enterprise and residential customers.

Furthermore, BLC shall develop detailed estimates of the amount of funding required to implement the large-scale deployment of the project.

The prime contractor will also assess the availability of grant, equity, and debt financing from potential domestic and international donors, investors, as well as financial institutions,such as the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) and the U.S. Development Finance Corporation (DFC).

An economic and cost-benefit analysis documenting the social benefits of the projects is another component of the TA. This is critical to obtain the support of government stakeholders, financial institutions and other partners.

Other components of the TA include Policy and Regulatory Analysis, Environment and Development Impact Assessment, and Project Implementation Plan.

The 5G network and the NBN mark the initial step to the partnership of NOW Telecom with the U.S. Government, as announced during the visit of US Vice President Kamala Harris last year.

The initiative supports the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework and the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment and is also in line with the Marcos administration’s Digital Infrastructure agenda.

SOURCE: MANILA BULLETIN