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)
Filipino conglomerate NOW has partnered up with Cisco to transform its business and develop its 5G communication systems and networks.
They signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) and have plans to collaborate on efforts to bring 5G services across the Philippines – all of which align with contributing to the nation’s 2030 vision and national transformation plan.
The alliance aims to bring ‘monetisable’ 5G solutions to customers and enable the deployment of ‘secure and reliable’ 5G services and applications for the public sector, key enterprise organisations as well as consumers.
NOW – which operates businesses in the telecommunications, media and technology sectors – will leverage Cisco’s solutions-as-a-service offerings to provide customers with ‘faster, more agile’ and scalable on-demand solutions that can be adapted to their business needs.
NOW will access Cisco’s solutions that can offer improved connectivity, cybersecurity, and cloud computing technologies to help its customers communicate and collaborate.
“NOW Group is determined to bring about true 5G and NBN technologies in the Philippines, together with its partnership with the US government,” said Mel Velarde, chairman of NOW.
“Cisco, being a technology leader, will definitely play a significant role in enabling NOW’s network with best of class technologies.”
In addition, NOW can tap on Cisco’s extensive experience and expertise in providing solutions for various industries, which can help them tailor their offerings to better suit the needs of their enterprise customers.
Cisco hopes this collaboration will enable NOW to offer comprehensive, end-to-end solutions that are customised to meet the needs of each enterprise customer.
“Through our partnership with NOW, we can support their network infrastructure’s transition into this new era of digitisation by harnessing the potential of 5G technology.”
SOURCE: https://www.channelasia.tech/article/706881/cisco-partners-now-bring-5g-philippines/
Newsnet scores a win in its bid to be recognized as a news network and operate pay television service.
This after the Court of Appeals (CA) recent decision to deny the appeal of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to recall the Anti-Red Tape Authority’s (ARTA) 2020 order to the regulator to issue a certificate of public convenience (CPC) to News and Entertainment Network Corporation (Newsnet).
In a 12-page resolution promulgated on March 28, 2023, the CA Former Special Eighth Division denied the motion for reconsideration of NTC and its July 2022 decision “stands.”
In July 20, 2022, the CA Special Eighth Division granted the Petition for Mandamus filed by Newsnet against the NTC. The Petition for Mandamus was sought by Newsnet to compel the NTC to comply with the order of the ARTA dated February 12, 2020 that automatically approved its application for the issuance of a CPC to install, operate, and maintain a Local Multi-Point Distribution System (LMDS) to deliver interactive Pay Television and multimedia services in South Luzon, North Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao in the 25.35 GHz 26.35 GHz frequency range with authority to charge rates therefor.
The NTC earlier canceled Newsnet’s PA to operate pay TV and LMDS nationwide s due to the expiration of the latter’s legislative franchise last October 1, 2021
The CA, however, said in its resolution that a Congressional or Legislative franchise is “not a pre-requisite or condition” to a provisional certificate of authority to operate pay television service.
“There being no dispute that [Newsnet] is a CATV entity and not a PTE, a congressional or legislative franchise is not a pre-requisite or condition to a provisional or certificate of authority to operate. The applicable law is Executive Order No. 205 issued by President Corazon C. Aquino on June 30, 1987,” the appellate court said.
Based on the provisions of EO No. 205 , the maximum period of a Certificate of Authority that can be given to the CATV operator is 30 years.
“Thus, the NTC committed reversible order in issuing the assailed order of termination of the PA of Newsnet which is solely grounded on the expiration of the legislative franchise or Republic Act o. 8197 on October 1, 2021,” the CA said.
“It its order, the NTC did not cite the absence of financial or technical qualifications of Newsnet’s or the latter’s violation of rules and regulations of the NTC as valid grounds for termination of provisional authority to operate,” it added
The CA also said that Newset is considered qualified and entitled to an extension or renewal of its provisional authority to operate LMDS system in Metro Manila.
“Based on the foregoing consideration, respondents’ contention that a legislative franchise is a requirement to operate CATV is therefore bereft of merit,” it added.
The CA also said that ARTA has jurisdiction over the NTC, citing the Ease of Doing Business Act, of which ARTA’s jurisdiction applies to all government offices and agencies that provide services covering business and nonbusiness related transactions which includes the NTC.
The CA order stressed that the February 12, 2020 order of the ARTA, which deemed automatically approved Newsnet’s application is “already final and executory” after the NTC filed its compliance to the directive instead of filing an appeal to the Office of the President.
“With the finality of the February 12, 2020 Order of the ARTA, this Court is perplexed as how said agency could reverse or abandon the same via its June 17, 2022 Resolution using only the DOJ Resolution when it had previously and vigorously opposed the said findings of the DOJ,” the CA said.
“The oft-repeated rule is that a decision that has acquired finality becomes immutable and unalterable, and may no longer be modified in any respect. While there are recognized exceptions, the present case does not warrant a departure from the general rule,” it.added.
SOURCE: MANILA BULLETIN
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
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
After securing a grant from the US government for a pilot study on 5G deployment, NOW Telecom Company Inc. is planning to commercially launch its stand-alone 5G mobile and fixed wireless network in the country by 2024.
At the sidelines of the Joint Cybersecurity Working Group Session on 5G Security in Makati City on Tuesday, NOW Telecom chairman and CEO Mel Velasco Velarde said the company secured a P118 million ($2.15 million) grant from the US Trade and Development Agency (USTA) for the pilot feasibility study for the development of 5G mobile and broadband in the Philippines.
“After that, what the US government wanted to know is exactly how much money is needed to deploy 5G nationwide and the national broadband network nationwide,” Velarde said.
Under the study, the company and the USTDA will establish a pilot 5G network in key business districts in Metro Manila to test 5G use cases and to gather data for wide-scale deployment.
“We will know the performance, some metrics that will indicate the experience of certain industries, even households,” Velarde said.
SOURCE: GMA NETWORK
MANILA, U.S. Embassy in the Philippines — The United States government, through the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), is providing NOW Telecom Company, Inc. a Php 118 million ($2.15 million) grant to fund a feasibility study for the development of reliable and secure nationwide 5G mobile and broadband networks in the Philippines.
NOW Telecom has selected New Jersey-based Bell Labs Consulting, part of Bell Labs, the research arm of Nokia, to conduct the study.
The grant agreement was signed by NOW Telecom Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mel Velasco Velarde and Nokia Bell Labs Managing Partner Stefan Wilhelm during the 10th U.S.-Philippines Bilateral Strategic Dialogue in Manila on January 20. United States Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson, and Philippines Department of Information and Communications (DICT) Undersecretary for Connectivity Angelo Nuestro witnessed the signing.
“This 5G grant demonstrates the U.S. commitment to developing quality digital infrastructure and increasing access to affordable connectivity in the Philippines,” Assistant Secretary Kritenbrink said.
For his part, DICT Undersecretary Nuestro said, “The open innovation platform that this partnership seeks to give will enable the broader Philippine society to take a leap towards a connected future. We welcome these opportunities that will improve the lives of Filipinos.”
Under the USTDA grant, the feasibility study will provide NOW Telecom with the necessary analysis, designs, and plans for the phased implementation of the project. It will also include the establishment of a 5G pilot network at multiple sites in Metro Manila to validate network performance, test 5G use cases, and provide data to inform larger scale deployment.
This project aims to support the digital transformation of the Philippines by helping to meet the growing demand for high-bandwidth, reliable, and secure digital services from households and industry in the Philippines.
The feasibility study grant furthers U.S. digital policy in line with the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, which aims to promote secure digital infrastructure in the region to bolster economic growth and facilitate open digital societies.
SOURCE: PACOM.MIL
MANILA, Philippines — The US government has given a local telco company a P118-million grant to be used for a pilot project and feasibility study aimed at developing a “reliable and secure” 5G network in the country.
The technical assistance extended by the US Trade and Development Agency to NOW Telecom was formalized during the recent Philippine visit of US Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Kritenbrink.
“Filipinos can and should be secure online. Securing against malicious cyber activities is difficult even in the best of times, but it is infinitely more difficult when the risk comes from the entity that built and may maintain access to a telecommunications network,” Kritenbrink said during the signing of the grant documents with officials of NOW Telecom and the Department of Foreign Affairs on Jan. 20.
According to the US Embassy, the grant will establish a 5G pilot network at multiple sites in the National Capital Region, which will be used to evaluate network performance, test cases of 5G usage and gather data for a larger deployment.
The agreement was one of the deals finalized during the visit by US Vice President Kamala Harris to the country in November last year.
Unsuccessful Bid
Kritenbrink said the grant was further proof of Washington’s commitment to a longtime ally not just on matters of security but also in economic development. US-Philippine relations, he said, have been on “hyperdrive.’
For the study, NOW Telecom is tapping the New Jersey-based Bells Labs Consulting, a part of Bell Labs, the research arm of Nokia, the embassy said in a statement.
Formerly known as Infocom Communications Network Inc., NOW Telco was one of the companies that aspired to be the third major telecommunications service provider in the country—after Smart and Globe—but lost in the bidding for the slot in 2018.
That same year, the company secured an extension of its congressional franchise to build and operate a telecommunications network until 2043.
In 2019, it announced its entry into the 5G market, promising users internet speeds of up to 20 gigabits per second.
Complaint at NTC
The NOW Group is headed by its founder and chair Mel Velarde, with Francis Xavier Manglapus as vice chair.In 2022, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) received a complaint against NOW Telecom accusing the company of having “miserably failed to provide internet service in [the complainants’] locality despite enjoying the radio frequency assigned to it by the state.”
The complaint, signed by three taxpayers from Pangasinan province, asked the NTC to recall the frequencies assigned to NOW Telecom and impose sanctions on the company.
In April 2022, the NTC was sued by Emerald Investments, Inc., a NOW shareholder, at the Commission on Elections for conducting a hearing on the complaint during an election period.
Low Regional Ranking
Emerald Investments argued that the NTC hearing violated Section 6.4 of the Fair Elections Act, which prohibits the cancellation or suspension of a legislative franchise during such period.
The Philippines remains a laggard in terms of internet download and upload speeds in the Asia-Pacific region.
Based on an August 2022 study by independent analytics company OpenSignal, Metro Manila placed eighth in 5G download speed—at 150.7 megabits per second (Mbps)—out of the 11 cities.
Seoul and Kuala Lumpur topped the list with download speeds of 453.1 Mbps and 376.6 Mbps, respectively.
In terms of 5G video experience, the capital region scored 71.6, placing it on the 8th spot.
It ranked last in 5G games experience, with a score of 66.6.
SOURCE: TECHNOLOGY INQUIRER
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JOINT STATEMENT
20 January 2023 — Senior Philippine and U.S. foreign affairs and defense officials convened in Manila on 19-20 January 2023 for the 10th Philippines-United States Bilateral Strategic Dialogue (BSD). First held in 2011, the BSD serves as the main annual platform for our two countries to discuss the full range of political, security, and economic cooperation, exchange views on current challenges and strategic priorities, and identify new collaborative initiatives at the working group and senior officials’ levels.
Recalling the Joint Vision for a 21st Century United States-Philippines Partnership that was adopted at the 9th BSD in Washington DC in November 2021, both sides welcomed developments over the past year that reaffirmed their commitment to the Alliance and partnership. High-level engagements, including between the Presidents and Cabinet Secretaries of both sides, have increased under the assumption of the administration of Philippine President Marcos, giving important momentum to bilateral ties and demonstrating the resounding interest of both sides to work together to realize peace and prosperity for the peoples of both countries.
During the 10th BSD, the Philippines and the United States determined to pursue cooperation in the following areas:
Cultivating A Stronger Partnership. The Philippines and the United States underscored the importance of regular and sustained dialogue at both the policy and operational levels to ensure cooperation on issues of mutual interest and concern. To this end, both sides:
- Renewed their commitment to bringing together their Defense and Foreign Ministers this year in the Two-Plus-Two Ministerial Dialogue format. This year’s Dialogue will be the third such meeting following the earlier meetings in 2012 and 2016.
- Committed to continue discussions towards the adoption of Terms of Reference to further strengthen and institutionalize the BSD Working Groups and Area/Sector-Specific Sub- Working Groups that would facilitate focused and sustained interagency coordination, planning, and implementation of action plans in high priority areas. The Defense Co- Chairs likewise plan to consider establishing a bilateral Defense Security Dialogue to complement the work of the BSD and support the Alliance.
- Acknowledged the need to convene more regularly the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) Meetings to discuss the full range of our economic relationship, including expanded trade.
- Emphasized the need to continue to strengthen consular services, acknowledging that people-to-people ties between our two countries are a pillar of our strong bilateral relationship.
Cementing An Enduring Alliance. The Philippines and the United States reiterated the importance of the security alliance and shared commitments under the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) to promote a peaceful, stable, and enabling environment for our economies to thrive amidst geopolitical challenges in the region. To invigorate defense and security cooperation and ensure the Alliance adapts effectively to face new and emerging challenges, both sides decided:
- To hold its 2nd policy-centric tabletop exercise (TTX) by the end of the 2nd quarter of 2023. The TTX allows officials on both sides to plan ahead for and ensure more coordinated responses to potential flashpoints.
- To share information within the framework of the 2004 Memorandum of Agreement between the PH Department of National Defense and the U.S. Department of Defense Concerning Communications Interoperability and Security (CISMOA), while prioritizing the conclusion of a General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) by the end of 2023. This will streamline technology transfer for required capabilities, and ultimately improve interoperability.
- To fully implement the PH-U.S. Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) through the expedited completion of projects in existing Agreed Locations and finalizing procedures for the adoption of additional Agreed Locations.
- To develop a Security Sector Assistance Roadmap for defense modernization.
Promoting An International Law-Based Maritime Order. Reiterating the importance of maintaining and promoting an international law-based maritime order in the South China Sea, in accordance with UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal decision, and recognizing the value of an integrated and comprehensive approach to addressing maritime issues, the Philippines and United States plan to convene this year the 2nd Maritime Dialogue, which will build on the outcomes of the inaugural Dialogue held in Manila in April 2022. The United States will serve as host of the 2nd Maritime Dialogue, along with a Track 1.5 discussion to provide a more inclusive platform for sharing and socializing ideas and recommendations among academic and other stakeholders.
The Philippines welcomed the offer of the United States to hold regular consultations with a view to identifying joint maritime activities that the two countries can undertake.
Preparing For and Responding to Emerging Threats. In keeping with their commitment to enhance cooperation in the face of new and emerging threats, the Philippines and the United States committed to:
- Completing a full assessment of the cyber threat landscape in the Philippines, and establishing next steps to counter cyber threats;
- Exploring possible cooperation on space situational awareness; and
- Continuing discussions for the establishment of a multi-stakeholder Democracy Dialogue as a platform to institutionalize discussions on human rights and democracy issues. Among its objectives, the Dialogue aims to identify initiatives that can be pursued jointly to complement national efforts on the promotion and protection of human rights and advancement of good governance, the Summit for Democracy, and the UN Joint Programme in safeguarding and upholding our shared values and principles.
Advancing Our Common Prosperity, Protecting Our Shared Planet. Both sides underscored the importance of ensuring that the partnership works for the benefit of our peoples and future generations. To this end, the Philippines and the United States committed to prioritize efforts to lay the groundwork for civil nuclear energy cooperation including close coordination throughout the 123 Agreement negotiation process, to broaden dialogue and cooperation on clean energy transition, and deepen our cooperation through the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework and Asia- Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).
The Philippines and the United States committed to cooperate on high-quality, private sector-led infrastructure investment as a means of supporting economic growth and enhancing connectivity in the Philippines. They discussed U.S. efforts through the Partnership for Global Infrastructure Investment (PGII), the Blue Dot Network, and Transaction Advisory Fund (TAF); highlighted Subic Bay as a priority; and agreed to invite likeminded countries to partner on key infrastructure projects across the Philippines.
Both sides also committed to continue the dialogue on how to further collaborate on supply chains, including on semiconductors and green metals processing through, among others, mobilizing investments, technology transfer or adaptation, capacity building, and complementation of value chains.
The 10th BSD culminated in the announcement of a U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA)/Nokia/NOW Telecom Grant that would advance 5G connectivity in the Philippines.
SOURCE: US EMBASSY
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