MEDIA RELEASE

Immediate Release

May 20, 2025

Critical Advisory Issued for BPOs and U.S.-Affiliated Companies Operating in the Philippines

NOW Corporation (PSE-listed), holder of a significant 24.3% stake in NOW Telecom Company, Inc., draws attention to a critical Public Advisory recently disclosed to the Philippine Stock Exchange, originally issued by the Trusted Network Alliance—an initiative spearheaded by NOW Telecom in collaboration with U.S. government-supported cybersecurity and digital infrastructure programs.

This advisory underscores significant business continuity and legal risks emerging from recent regulatory actions by the Philippine National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), specifically its sudden and unexplained cancellation of NOW Telecom’s license despite its status as the sole U.S.-certified “clean network” provider in the country.

The Trusted Network Alliance strongly advises all Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) organizations and U.S.-affiliated businesses operating within the Philippines to immediately conduct a comprehensive review of their telecommunications and IT infrastructure contracts. The advisory highlights:

Potential exposure to U.S. federal and state regulatory compliance violations due to utilization of non-compliant or banned network equipment.
NOW Telecom’s status as a grantee under the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) for 5G and nationwide broadband infrastructure.
NOW Telecom’s strategic role as a supplier to U.S. military logistics contractors, thus impacting operational integrity and compliance with international standards.

Given the significant financial stakes, with the Philippine BPO sector generating over $38 billion annually, immediate action is crucial to mitigate risks of enforcement actions from U.S. regulatory bodies.

Recommended Actions:

Thorough review of current telecom and IT service agreements.
Identification and assessment of all network equipment and infrastructure for compliance with U.S. regulations.
Immediate consultation with legal advisors to understand and mitigate any potential regulatory and legal exposures.

NOW Corporation remains committed to transparency, good governance, and the protection of stakeholder interests. Further disclosures will be made available as developments warrant.

References:

Philippine Stock Exchange Disclosure https://edge.pse.com.ph/openDiscViewer.do?edge_no=c709c194c148fa64ec6e1601ccee8f59
NOW Telecom Company, Inc. “Motion for Reconsideration of the NTC Order dated 19 March 2025,” filed 15 April 2025. (Attached)

NOW Telecom Company, Inc. “Motion to Admit the Attached Amplified Motion for Reconsideration (of the NTC Order dated 19 March 2025),” filed 9 May 2025. (Attached)

Contact for Further Information:

Trusted Network Alliance Communications Office

Email: hello@trustednetworkalliance.com; Website: www.trustednetworkalliance.com

Press Release

Honolulu, Hawaii
October 22-24, 2024

The Indo-Pacific region, increasingly central to global strategic interests, faces a heightened demand for secure and resilient communications. The recent AFCEA Indo-Pacific TechNet Summit held in Honolulu, Hawaii, brought this issue to the forefront, featuring a high-profile panel on the rapid deployment of private 5G and trusted networks in disputed territories. Kristian Pura, Managing Director of NOW Corp, was invited to moderate and lead a discussion on how private 5G and trusted networks could transform mission-critical operations in the region.

Pura set the stage by addressing the urgency of secure infrastructure amid regional tensions, citing the rapid technological and military rise of China. “The People’s Republic of China is a real threat in the Indo-Pacific. I’m from the Philippines, and I know firsthand the reality of this threat. The continued and rapid rise of China in military, cyber, chip manufacturing, and technological advancements presents a clear challenge in this region,” he said. Pura emphasized that robust connectivity is essential, adding, “Connectivity is far more than a convenience—it’s a cornerstone of resilience and readiness. As our allies and partners navigate potentially contested environments, secure, reliable networks become essential not only for mission success but for protecting the foundations of national security.”

The panel included key experts such as Dave McDonald, CIO for Plans and Programs at NCTAMS PAC, U.S. Navy; Steve Vogelsang, CTO of Nokia Federal; and Christopher Ling, CEO of Ericsson Federal, each contributing critical perspectives on deploying secure communications.

Pura also used this platform to highlight the Trusted Network Alliance (TNA), a coalition led by NOW Corp, NOW Telecom, and the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication, which works to establish secure, trusted infrastructure across the Indo-Pacific. Through partnerships with defense contractors and local operators, the TNA model ensures that each nation’s critical infrastructure can be safeguarded from external threats. “Our vision is to create a network of trusted connectivity across Indo-Pacific nations, enabling reliable communication, economic growth, and security. In partnership with U.S. defense contractors, we take care of navigating local regulations, spectrum assignments, and network implementation so that trusted networks can be rapidly deployed and maintained in high-risk environments,” Pura explained.

To symbolize the Philippines’ commitment to regional stability and the rule of law, Pura presented a replica of the Murillo Velarde Map, an artifact from 1734 that played a critical role in the Philippines’ 2016 legal victory against China in the West Philippine Sea dispute. “This map is more than just a historical artifact; it’s a symbol of our sovereignty, our commitment to the rule of law, and the shared values that connect the Philippines with its allies. We are a small nation, but we stand ready to defend our territory—with the support of allies like the United States,” he said, as he distributed limited copies of the map to attendees as a token of solidarity.

This conference underscored the crucial role of trusted connectivity in the Indo-Pacific, reinforcing NOW Group’s commitment to building resilient, secure infrastructure and strengthening alliances to protect the region’s future stability.

BARCELONA, February 26, 2024 – NOW Telecom Company, Inc. (“NOW Telecom”) and Rakuten Symphony today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a collaborative framework for the deployment of a 5G Open RAN Pilot Deployment in the Philippines. The MoU was signed on Day 1 of the Mobile World Congress (MWC) at the Fira Gran Via in Barcelona, Spain held from February 26 until Feb 29. The MWC is the largest and most influential connectivity event in the world hosted by the GSM Association and draws more than 100,000 visitors from over 190 countries.

Under the terms of the agreement, Rakuten Symphony and NOW will collaborate with the aim of developing disaggregated networks and open interfaces in the South-East Asian country. The MOU was signed by Hironori Shimada, Director of Rakuten Symphony, and Romeo C. Escobar, Jr., Head of Networks for NOW Telecom. This significant event was also witnessed by Mickey Mikitani, Chairman and CEO of Rakuten Group, Inc. and Mel Velasco Velarde, NOW Telecom Chairman and Chief Advocate of the Trusted Network Alliance in Indo Pacific Region.

Sharad Sriwastawa, President, Rakuten Symphony, said, “We look forward to bringing Rakuten Symphony’s expertise in Open RAN solutions and digital services to support NOW Telecom’s 5G Open RAN ambitions. Rakuten Symphony is proud to support the development of Open RAN in the Philippines and the proliferation of open interfaces across global telecom networks.”

Mel Velasco Velarde, Chairman, NOW Telecom, said, “Our partnership with Rakuten, the force behind Japan’s 4th mobile operator and a key player in launching Germany’s newest mobile network, signifies a pivotal moment for NOW Telecom. This collaboration is instrumental in our mission to unveil a secured 5G network in the Philippines. Together, we are dedicated to transforming telecom industry and establishing a standard for open, interoperable, and secure networks across the Indo-Pacific region.”

In photo: Mr. Hiroshi Mikitani, Chairman and Founder of Rakuten together with ______________, Mr. Mel Velasco Velarde, Chairman of NOW Telecom, and Romeo C. Escobar, Jr. signs the MOU during Day 1 of the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain

Both Parties will contribute expertise, resources, and technology to jointly develop 5G and related ICT solutions for NOW Telecom’s network.

Rakuten Group already has a strong presence in the Philippines through its leading instant messaging app, Rakuten Viber, with user penetration levels of 71% in the country of more than 110 million people.

NOW Telecom is a privately held mobile telephony licensee holder in the Philippines. In November 2022, the United States government acting through the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), announced its partnership with NOW Telecom in deploying 5G technologies and a nationwide broadband network in the Philippines. The NOW Group advocates the use of Trusted Network and works with trusted technology partners. The Project of NOW Telecom advances a free and open Indo-Pacific region and advances the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment of the G7.

About Rakuten Symphony

Rakuten Symphony is reimagining telecom, changing supply chain norms and disrupting outmoded thinking that threatens the industry’s pursuit of rapid innovation and growth. Based on proven modern infrastructure practices, its open interface platforms make it possible to launch and operate advanced mobile services in a fraction of the time and cost of conventional approaches, with no compromise to network quality or security. Rakuten Symphony has operations in Japan, the United States, Singapore, India, Europe and the Middle East Africa region. For more information, visit: https://symphony.rakuten.com.

About NOW Telecom

NOW Telecom is a privately held Philippine telecom operator with a national franchise to operate a mobile cellular business and is an associate of publicly listed firm NOW Corporation. NOW Telecom is one of the four Mobile Telephony System Licensee holder apart from SMART-PLDT, Globe Telecom, and Dito Telecommunity. The Company has the license to construct, establish, operate, and maintain Mobile Telecommunications System, Fixed Wireless Telecommunications System, International and Domestic Gateway, Fiber Optic Systems, Satellite System, Electronic Communications Network, Electronic Communications Services.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/11/20/fact-sheet-vice-president-harris-launches-new-initiatives-to-strengthen-u-s-philippines-alliance/

23 February 2024

New York, USA / Manila, Philippines

Veea Inc. (“VEEA”), a leader in integrated smart edge connectivity, computing and security technologies and publicly listed firm Manila-based NOW Corporation (“NOW Corp”) have forged a strategic alliance through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) targeting the Philippine enterprise market. The focus is to deliver private wireless LAN solutions.

The MoU outlines a collaborative effort to enhance NOW’s existing connectivity framework, focusing on the deployment of bespoke, stand-alone (SA) private wireless LAN solutions tailored for the enterprise market.

The Veea-NOW partnership will target key enterprise markets, offering value-added services delivered by Veea’s Edge Platform and taking advantage of NOW Corp’s telecommunications and technology capabilities. Veea and NOW Corp are also collaborating on strategic areas of growth to extend Digital Equality and Digital Inclusion into target markets, providing effective solutions such as affordable connectivity, Climate Smart Agriculture, edge-medical clinics, edge-u-cation programs and other solutions that promote community development.

Veea is thrilled to partner with NOW to improve and expand edge connectivity in the Philippines utilizing our combined technologies. Advancing edge connectivity capabilities provides tremendous value to enterprises and greater economic and social benefits to individuals and communities,” says Allen Salmasi, Chairman and CEO of Veea. “Veea’s hyper-converged edge platform is uniquely positioned to complement NOW’s technology to deliver first-in-class private wireless LANsolutions to the Philippines.“

“We look forward to working with Veea as we bring their technology to the enterprise market in the Philippines. This initiative supports NOW’s connectivity and ICT portfolio as we approach enterprises for their digital transformation roadmap,” says Henry Andrews Abes, President and CEO of NOW Corp.

About Veea

Veea is redefining and simplifying secure edge computing in a way that improves application responsiveness, reduces bandwidth costs, and eliminates central cloud dependency. VeeaHub® Smart Computing Hubs™ integrate a full range of connectivity options, application processing power, and a full security stack to form an elastic edge computing platform with a dynamic connectivity and application mesh that can easily be deployed and centrally managed from the cloud. Veea Edge Services run across this application mesh to deliver secure remote access, IoT/IIoT/AIoT, and a wide range of smart applications. These elements along with a range of groundbreaking vertical-specific applications comprise the Veea Edge Platform, serving the needs of organizations across Smart Buildings, Smart Energy, Smart Cities, Smart Construction, Smart Farming, Smart Retail, and other industry verticals. Veea was formed in 2014 and is headquartered in New York City, with its engineering activities located in Bath, UK, and Iselin, New Jersey, USA, along with sales and support throughout the US, France, South Korea, and Brazil. Veea was named by Gartner as a 2021 Cool Vendor in Edge Computing. For more information, visit https://www.veea.com/. Follow us on LinkedIn

About NOW Corporation

In a significant development in November 2022, the U.S. Government recognized NOW Telecom, an affiliate of NOW Corp, as its partner in deploying 5G technologies and establishing a secure nationwide broadband network across the Philippines. For a preliminary insight into the partnership between NOW Telecom and the U.S. Government, kindly visit https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/11/20/fact-sheet-vice-president-harris-launches-new-initiatives-to-strengthen-u-s-philippines-alliance/

Next-Generation Satellite Network is Key for Resilient Connectivity and Business Growth

Unique global data constellation using satellite-to-satellite laser links

Ultra-secure and extremely low latency network
Combining the speed of fiber with the reach of satellite
Rivada aims to be part of the Trusted Network initiative being championed by NOW in the Indo-Pacific region

In photo: NOW Corp Pres & CEO Henry Andrews Abes and Rivada Space Networks Chairman and CEO Declan J. Ganley during the virtual signing of the MoU Partnership

Munich, and Manilla, November 15, 2023 – NOW Corporation, a telecom, media and technology company listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange, is partnering with Rivada Space Networks to provide a unique next generation connectivity network for the Philippines.

Enterprises’ increasing demand to move large quantities of data securely and quickly around the world is fast outpacing the current infrastructure used to carry it. Terrestrial and legacy satellite networks, in particular, are clearly sub-optimal for business communications in terms of speed, security and latency.

NOW Corporation will harness the e OuterNET™ where Rivada’s seamless connectivity will ramp up performance, improve security, and increase customer efficiency. Rivada’s industry-leading solutions will provide resiliency for high quality voice, video and data solutions to enterprises that require secure infrastructure, such as banking and financial services, mining and transportation.

Rivada’s OuterNET™ is also particularly well suited for the low latency and secure connectivity required by national and local government and defense sectors and will play a key role in NOW Corp’s goal of providing trusted connectivity to critical infrastructure projects in the Philippines.

NOW Telecom, NOW Corp’s associate and telecom arm, recently secured a grant from the US Trade and Development Agency for the development of reliable and secure nationwide 5G mobile and broadband networks in the Philippines.

Rivada’s global low-latency point-to-point connectivity network of 600 low earth orbit (LEO) satellites, the “OuterNET,” is a unique next-generation architecture combing inter-satellite laser links with advanced onboard processing that provide unique routing and switching capabilities to create an optical mesh network in space. This approach to “orbital networking,” in which data stays in space from origin to destination, creates an ultra-secure satellite network with pole-to-pole coverage, offering end-to-end latencies much lower than terrestrial fiber over similar long distances. And by routing traffic on a physically separated network, it provides a layer of defense for any organization that needs to securely share data between widely distributed sites.

NOW Corp President and CEO, Henry Andrews Abes said: “We welcome Rivada as one of the satellite partners that NOW has forged an alliance with. As we aim to link and to secure critical infrastructures in the Philippines, we aim to provide the most reliable and secure connectivity to our intended market. Rivada’s OuterNET will revolutionize how telecom services are provided to government agencies and companies employing mission-critical and security-sensitive applications and services across the 7,600 islands of the Philippines. We look forward to working with Rivada alongside other trusted partners.”

Declan Ganley, CEO, Rivada Space Networks, said: “We are delighted to be working with a dynamic company like NOW Corp and be part of its Trusted Network initiative.” Ganley added: “The OuterNET allows satellites to go beyond their traditional role of ‘gap-filler.’ The OuterNET is a fully inter-connected space network, which is rapidly becoming the infrastructure of choice for secure data communications.”

Rivada’s OuterNET™ will solve essential connectivity and networking challenges and open up new opportunities for business communications globally. The first satellite launch is set for 2025, with global service starting in 2026

About NOW Corp

The NOW Group is Philippine-based conglomerate with investments in telecom, media, and technology (TMT). Among its portfolio of companies is NOW Corporation, a publicly traded company in the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE: NOW). NOW specializes in offering Unified Connectivity, ICT Applications for Business Enhancement, Managed ICT Services, IT Manpower Services, and Cybersecurity solutions. In November 2022, the U.S. Government recognized NOW Telecom, an affiliate of NOW Corp, as its partner in deploying 5G technologies and establishing a secure nationwide broadband network across the Philippines. For a preliminary insight into the partnership between NOW Telecom and the U.S. Government, kindly visit https://now-telecom.com/usgovpartnership/. Moreover, the White House has officially commemorated our collaboration in their statement: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/11/20/fact-sheet-vice-president-harris-launches-new-initiatives-to-strengthen-u-s-philippines-alliance/

About Rivada Space Networks

Rivada Space Networks GmbH is deploying the first true “OuterNET”: a global low latency point-to-point connectivity network of LEO satellites. By connecting its satellites with lasers, Rivada Space Networks will provide resellers and B2B customers with the ability to securely connect any two points on the globe with low latency and high bandwidth. The constellations, comprising 600 low-earth-orbit communications satellites, will represent a fundamental change in the availability of secure, global, end-to-end enterprise-grade connectivity for Telecom, Enterprise, Maritime, Energy and Government Services markets. Rivada Space Networks is a wholly owned subsidiary of Rivada Networks, Inc.

7 November 2023

Makati City

The NOW Group has announced the launch of three new model solutions aimed at protecting critical infrastructure within key industries that are currently vulnerable. These ongoing solutions are designed to address and mitigate the widespread and unchecked security breaches affecting physical and digital infrastructures.

NOW Corp and NOW Telecom are jointly implementing a secure and seamless integration of a digital bank’s value chain that capitalizes on office and remote workforces, a combined human-machine cybersecurity prevention program for a large enterprise, and just recently, a technology upgrade contract from an American BPO that require complete sensor and video surveillance solutions to monitor the movement of data, objects, and people connected to its U.S. command and control headquarters — all using only trusted equipment as defined by the U.S. government.

The “Respond and Replace” program is NOW group’s answer to the urgent call of enterprises and governments belonging to the free world whose offices and factories are located in the Indo-Pacific region, requiring complete end-to-end solutions to confront threats to physical and digital critical infrastructures.

NOW recently launched “TODAY,” an acronym for “Technologies on Demand Assist You,” specifically tasked with managing the Respond and Replace program. A Cyber Threat Assessment is designed to identify and address vulnerabilities in both private and public sector organizations. A set of comprehensive solutions follow this to counteract and protect against cyber threats, given NOW’s strategic alliances with global tech giants such as CISCO, Nokia, Fortinet, Mangata, OneWeb, Celona, and other technology partners in collaboration with the Philippine Military, the Cybercrime Investigation Coordinating Center (CICC), Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA), UnionBank of the Philippines, and other organizations. In November last year, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris announced that the U.S. government intends to partner with NOW Telecom.

Rene Rosales, President of NOW Telecom, articulates the importance of this initiative: “Deploying untrusted hardware and software including sensors and devices without rigorous vetting can open the door for unauthorized surveillance on both sensitive enterprise data and individuals, effectively turning what should be a protective measure into an unintended self-inflicted breach. With the recent breaches with some of our national government agencies, we must take action immediately.”

This strategic program of NOW brings together global tech and telecom giants aligned with the Trusted Network initiative to work only with trusted vendors in building and maintaining telecommunications and infrastructure, aiming to minimize vulnerabilities that malign 2 actors could exploit. Globally, around 60 nations are part of the Trusted Network initiative, including the U.S., United Kingdom, South Korea, Japan, Australia, and India; around 180 telecom companies including Telstra of Australia, SK Telecom & K.T. of South Korea, Reliance Jio of India, Rakuten and Softbank of Japan, and Telus & Bell of Canada, and global technology partners like CISCO, Nokia, Ericsson, Samsung – all forging a solid alliance committed to securing their data privacy and national security.

NOW’s Respond and Replace program will be an ecosystem of trusted global technology partners. This ecosystem may include cloud-based enterprise endpoint devices, sensors, handheld devices, and video security systems. These partners combine plug-and-play technologies with intelligent, cloud-based architecture to deliver high-quality voice, data, and video surveillance solutions that are user-friendly, efficient, and easy to manage.

Henry Andrews Abes, President & CEO of NOW Corp, emphasizes the significance of the “Respond and Replace” program: “We understand the critical nature of highly sensitive personal information, and this program protects the data integral to the functioning and trust of key industries like finance, healthcare, government services, and utility providers.” Abes added, “Our initiative comes at a time when many critical sectors have untrusted vendors either within their network or their facilities, posing potential threats. The Respond and Replace program addresses this issue head-on.”

NOW welcomes government entities and enterprises to participate in this groundbreaking initiative and urges them to contact NOW immediately. The program kicks off with a Cyber Threat Assessment Program (CTAP). CTAP is a transformative initiative designed by NOW and its trusted partners to help enterprises have an in-depth analysis of their I.T. infrastructure, discover areas of vulnerabilities, and empower them to fortify against these potential malign actors.

In just under a week, the enterprise will receive a detailed report outlining its network’s strengths and pinpointing its weaknesses hassle-free. This assessment comes at no cost to the enterprise. Interested critical enterprises can visit www.todaybynow.com. Critical infrastructures undergoing this program and successfully implementing measures to protect against malign actors join the ranks of global firms adhering to the safety of digital standards.

Companies operating in critical industries that have security infrastructure components from untrusted suppliers in the area of cybersecurity, privacy and monitoring, data centers, and connectivity – can now seamlessly book the “Respond and Replace” program. This streamlined platform ensures that the right solutions and equipment from reputable providers are promptly delivered to fortify their critical infrastructure.

Companies looking to bolster their security infrastructure and protect critical assets by replacing untrusted equipment are encouraged to explore NOW Corporation’s “Respond and Replace” program.

By Lorenz S. Marasigan

BUDDING third telco operator Now Corp. saw profits ballooning by almost threefolds during the first quarter of the year on the back of lower expenses and a slight increase on its top line.

A disclosure to the local bourse showed the listed multimedia company reported it booked P3.53 million in net income, about 248 percent higher than the P1.01 million it registered the year before.

In the same comparative periods, revenues inched up by 3.4 percent to P33.85 million from P32.73 million, while expenses dropped by a faster 9.04 percent to P28.85 million from P31.72 million.

Kristian A. Pura, who heads the business development and strategy division of the listed company, said the “main reason” behind Now Corp.’s increased profits is the expansion of its Fiber-in-the-Air network. “The priority this year is the expansion of our Fiber-in-the-Air network, as well as complementing IT services such as cloud services, disaster recovery, artificial intelligence and collaboration tools,” he said. Pura noted his group already identified its target market and is set to “achieve the financial metrics” the company has set.

“To date, we have activated more than 150 locations and we continue to expand in the deeper parts of Metro Manila,” he said.

Now Corp. is one of several companies competing for the third Philippine telco spot.

Source: https://businessmirror.com.ph/now-corp-q1-profits-rose-248-to-p3-53-million/