US aid body USTDA is backing a fourth 5G network in the Philippines, opening up the newest front in the widening US-China tech contest. The assistance package, announced during Vice President Kamala Harris’ visit to Manila in November, was signed with Now Telecom last week.

The operator’s parent company, Now Corp, said in a filing that the aid would provide design and planning for the phased implementation of its 5G project, including pilots in Manila “to validate network performance, test 5G use cases, and provide data to inform larger scale deployment.” Importantly for a small and under-funded operator like Now, the aid also includes assessment of potential financing schemes including government grants, equity or debt financing and the level of interest of funding organizations.

The USTDA’s financial contribution is small – just US$1.5 million – with Nokia Bell Labs providing the technical expertise.

Now Telecom will be the fourth company to offer 5G services in the Philippines. (Source: Philipp Dimitri / Westend61 GmbH / Alamy Stock Photo)

Now Telecom will be the fourth company to offer 5G services in the Philippines.
(Source: Philipp Dimitri / Westend61 GmbH / Alamy Stock Photo)
 
The agency describes itself as specializing in connecting the US private sector with infrastructure projects in developing countries. In this case, it is clearly part of the US drive to counter Chinese investment in emerging economies and in particular the presence of Chinese telecom equipment. Using Washington’s favored turn of phrase, Now Telecom chairman and CEO Mel Velarde said the company’s goal was “to deliver a clean and secure 5G network.”
 

Tepid 5G take-up

But even so, this is a rather unusual project, with the Philippines already being served by three 5G networks.

At this stage the two big telcos, PLDT Smart and Globe Telecom, say 5G take-up is so tepid they don’t even bother reporting their subscriber numbers. Consumers are said to be deterred by the high handset prices.

US interest is likely sparked in part by the introduction of a new China-backed player, Dito Telecommunity, which is 40% invested by China Telecom and uses ZTE network equipment. Additionally, it may also be responding to concerns of new President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has repeatedly vowed to improve connectivity.

But here is the big question: is the US government genuinely committed to backing this 5G rollout and how will it fund it?

Now Telecom is privately held and doesn’t disclose its financial figures. It has 3.5GHz and 2.1GHz spectrum and recently acquired 26GHz frequencies after buying local media player Newsnet. Its parent Now Corp, a fixed wireless access provider, reported revenue of just 196.4 million Philippine pesos (US$3.6 million) and 70 employees in 2021.

No matter how well these trials go, Now’s 5G aspirations are a heavy lift.

SOURCE: LIGHTREADING

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency has awarded a grant to NOW Telecom Company, Inc., for a feasibility study and pilot project to support the development of a nationwide 5G mobile and fixed wireless network in the Philippines. NOW Telecom has selected New Jersey-based Bell Labs Consulting, part of Bells Labs, the research arm of Nokia, to conduct the study.

“This grant demonstrates USTDA’s ongoing commitment to support the development of quality digital infrastructure and increasing access to affordable connectivity in the Philippines,” said Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA’s Director. “At the same time, this project will expand opportunities for U.S. companies and trusted technology partners to deliver next-generation network solutions in one of the region’s fastest-growing telecommunications markets.”

The study will provide NOW Telecom with the necessary analysis, designs and plans for phased implementation of its nationwide 5G and broadband network, including a 5G network pilot at multiple sites in Metro Manila to inform large-scale rollout.

“Our goal is to deliver a clean and secure 5G network that will help achieve social and financial mobility, reduce inequality, improve health and education, and spur economic growth for the Filipino people,” said NOW Telecom Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mel Velasco Velarde. “Our partnership with USTDA will help us achieve this important mission.”

“The advisory and deployment of Nokia’s technology for NOW Telecom’s standalone 5G network will be a game changer for the Philippines. It will help to meet the growing demand for reliable and secure digital services from households and industry, using trusted technology,” said Stefan Wilhelm, Head of Bell Labs Consulting. “By funding pilot projects such as this, USTDA brings something unique to the table. It catalyzes a new way of developing infrastructure where innovation, partnership, and mutual benefit all meet.”

USTDA’s support for this project advances the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, with the goal of developing, expanding, and deploying secure digital infrastructure to power economic growth and facilitate open digital societies.

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency helps companies create U.S. jobs through the export of U.S. goods and services for priority infrastructure projects in emerging economies. USTDA links U.S. businesses to export opportunities by funding project preparation and partnership building activities that develop sustainable infrastructure and foster economic growth in partner countries.

SOURCE: USTDA

MANILA—The Philippines and the United States have agreed to expedite the completion of projects in existing agreed locations under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) and finalize procedures for the adoption of additional agreed locations.

This came after senior Philippine and US foreign affairs and defense officials convened in Manila for the 10th Philippines-United States Bilateral Strategic Dialogue (BSD) on Thursday and Friday.

There are no specifics yet on the new locations.

“We have agreed to finalize the procedures for the additional agreed locations. In fact, it is a work in progress. Sooner or later, in a few months, hopefully, we would be able to give the exact response to your question. But right now, it’s a work in progress,” DFA Undersecretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro told reporters in a joint press conference.

“When it comes to issues related to EDCA and Mutual Defense Treaty, I come here to reiterate America’s iron-clad commitment to the security of the Republic of the Philippines and iron-clad commitment to meeting our obligations under the Mutual Defense Treaty,” visiting Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Kritenbrink told reporters in a joint press conference.

“As part of our alliance cooperation, of course, we engage on that which is related to EDCA. I think you’re aware of the importance of the EDCA agreement to our ability to further cooperation as allies, to contribute to further modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.”

A joint statement issued following the meeting also said that 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.”

“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 joint statement said.

The United States will serve as host of the 2nd Maritime Dialogue.

To prepare for and respond to emerging threats, the Philippines and the United States committed to complete “a full assessment of the cyber threat landscape in the Philippines, and establishing next steps to counter cyber threats, among other measures.”

At the end of the meeting, the United States government, through the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) announced that it is providing NOW Telecom Company, Inc. a P118 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.”

It 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.”

“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.

SOURCE: ABS-CBN

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 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: CNN PHILIPPINES

The Governments of the United States and Japan co-hosted the fifth Indo-Pacific Business Forum (IPBF) in a hybrid format on January 12, 2023, in Tokyo, Japan. The IPBF advances the United States’ vision for a free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient Indo-Pacific region

As the premier U.S. government-sponsored commercial diplomacy event for the region, the IPBF facilitates business, government, and civil society participants in building connections and partnerships, exchanging best practices, and stimulating innovative thinking on the challenges and opportunities facing the region. It showcases high-impact government and private sector activities to support job growth and high-standard economic development for greater prosperity and inclusion in the Indo-Pacific region

Our Commitment to Indo-Pacific Economic Recovery and Sustainable and Inclusive Growth

The importance of economic and commercial cooperation and partnership in the Indo-Pacific is paramount. The caliber of the United States leadership in the 2023 IPBF is a reflection of the importance the United States places on this event. Four U.S. Cabinet officials gave recorded remarks at the Forum.

  • Secretary of State Antony Blinken
  • Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo
  • Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg
  • S. Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Ta

Under the theme of “inclusive and sustainable growth,” the 2023 IPBF provided the opportunity to discuss shared ambitions for the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), as well as the respective priorities for the United States’ APEC host year and Japan’s G7 presidency. The Forum also provided a chance to highlight continued U.S. engagement with partners on economic issues ranging from infrastructure investment to climate change to critical technologies through mechanisms like the Indo-Pacific Quad with our regional partners Australia, India, and Japan. More than 140 in-person and 1000 virtual business and government leaders from the United States, Japan, economies of the Indo-Pacific region, and countries around the world participated.

We were pleased to welcome the U.S. and Japanese IPEF negotiators to the Forum to discuss the latest updates and future expectations for the Framework. IPEF was launched in May 2022 by the United States in partnership with Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. This framework will offer tangible benefits that fuel economic activity and investment, promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth, and benefit workers and consumers across the region.

As part of our enduring commitment to the region and broad-based economic growth, the United States is also excited to build on the success of the IPBF during our service as APEC host in 2023. We aim to take full advantage of our APEC host year to collaborate with like-minded partners to strengthen the international economic system and showcase the importance of engagement with the APEC region in driving American prosperity. Under the U.S. host year theme of “Creating a Resilient and Sustainable Future for All,” we look forward to advancing a practical economic policy agenda across a wide range of domains that benefits workers, businesses, and families in the United States and around the region

New Commercial Initiatives in Indo-Pacific

Participating U.S. and partner country officials, and executives representing businesses operating in the Indo-Pacific region, highlighted a wide range of commercial deals and new initiatives, including:

  • In January 2023, Hanwha Solutions Corp announced that it will invest $2.5 billion for solar power manufacturing in Georgia, including a $2.31 billion investment to build a solar ingot, water, cell, and module factory. This factory will employ as many as 2,000 people.
  • In October 2022, Honda and LG Energy Solution announced they will build a $3.5 billion EV battery plant in Ohio that will create at least 2,200 new jobs. In addition to this joint venture with LG Energy Solution, Honda is investing $700 million to retool three of its existing Ohio-based car plants for EV production.

  • In July 2022, Panasonic announced a $4 billion investment in batteries in Kansas that will hire as many as 4,000 people. The batteries will power electric vehicles for companies like Tesla.

  • In April 2022, Toyota announced a major investment in sustainable transportation & American workers: $383 million across four U.S. plants to support fuel-efficient hybrid vehicles and build the workforce of the future. Green investments create jobs and drive economic growth.

  • Japan’s announcement in 2021 for additional budget to develop its semiconductor industry supported several new projects in 2022, including:

    • Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) and Sony received $3.5 billion in support for a joint venture to build a new chip fabrication plant.

    • Kioxia Corp. and U.S. firm Western Digital Corp. received $680 million for a semiconductor production facility. Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry agreed to provide $320 million in investment support to U.S. semiconductor manufacturer Micron to accelerate the manufacturing ramp up of advanced chips at its Hiroshima facility.

  • The Department of State, Bureau of Energy Resources’ (ENR) Power Sector Program, will provide technical assistance to the Malaysian electric utility company, Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) to displace up to 100 MW of diesel generation with solar and battery storage deployment. The assistance will develop technical analysis of possible configurations of planned solar and battery storage projects to help Sabah evaluate options, recommendations to ensure system reliability and develop an implementation plan once Sabah Electricity determines its preferred project(s).

  • The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has approved funding to NOW Telecom Company, Inc. (“NOW”) for technical assistance to support the development and implementation of a fifth generation (“5G”) stand-alone network in the Philippines. The technical assistance will provide NOW with the design of a national 5G wireless and broadband network, including plans for a pilot project in Metro Manila to inform full-scale network rollout.

  • A USTDA grant to the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) is funding a feasibility study to assess the technical and economic viability of retrofitting the Vajiralongkorn Dam in western Thailand with a grid-connected pumped storage hydropower (PSH) plant. The PSH plant would provide a clean energy generation source and energy storage solution to support Thailand’s clean energy transition.

  • USTDA is providing a technical assistance grant to support the digital transformation of the Malaysian electric utility company, Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB). The grant will be co-funded in partnership with the U.S.-based Electric Power Research Institute and will develop a detailed roadmap to help guide the modernization of SEB’s power generation, distribution, and transmission assets.

  • USTDA and GE Healthcare will co-fund a pilot project to support the Indonesian Ministry of Health develop a national image and data repository, creating a new cloud-based centralized warehouse for electronic medical records and a hub-and-spoke network connecting general practitioners in primary care facilities with cardiologists in a central hospital.

  • The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) has more than $6.6 billion in total active commitments across the Indo-Pacific region, invested across 395 individual projects. The agency committed $2.1 billion of financing across 49 projects in the Indo-Pacific region in Fiscal Year 2022 alone. DFC has active commitments in 16 countries throughout the region. Since October 2022 DFC has approved three new projects worth approximately $110 million of total investment to advance economic growth and development in India and across Southeast Asia, including:

    • Expanding access to affordable housing for women in India: A $75 million loan to India-based Home First Finance will support affordable housing mortgage loans to low-income borrowers, with 100 percent of the loan proceeds financing housing for women. Supporting tech-enabled health, education, and financial services in Southeast Asia: A $30 million equity investment in Asia Partners Fund II will help close the late-stage funding gap for technology companies operating in lower-middle income countries across Southeast Asia, prioritizing investments in tech or tech-enabled businesses such as in health, education, and financial services.

    • Expanding access to electric vehicles in India: A $5 million loan will enable Revfin Services Private Limited, a digital lending company that leverages non-traditional data to underwrite electric vehicle financing loans, to expand financial access and inclusion for underserved individuals and communities and provide an e-mobility solution to support India’s clean energy transition.

New U.S. and Partner Efforts to Advance an Open, Connected, Prosperous, Secure, and Resilient Indo-Pacific

  • The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) announced two new Calls for Proposals. The first calls for infrastructure activities that support the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) pillars of advancing digital infrastructure, promoting clean energy, and strengthening supply chains. The second calls for proposals to expand USTDA’s portfolio in Pacific Island countries. Additionally, IPEF Infrastructure Accelerator Teams will work across U.S. Government agencies and like-minded IPEF partners to identify and define bankable projects that can unlock new public and private financing. IPEF Infrastructure Accelerator Teams will visit India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Fiji and Vietnam.

  • The State Department’s Clean Energy Demand Initiative launched a pilot program in the Philippines with outdoor retailer REI Co-op, USAID’s Energy Secure Philippines, and the Philippines’ Department of Energy. The program will support REI’s suppliers in the Philippines to access clean energy to reduce emissions from their manufacturing operations.

  • ENR’s Power Sector Program is advising and building capacity of Malaysia’s Ministry of Energy, the Energy Commission, and Sustainable Energy Development Authority on battery energy storage systems (BESS), BESS technical specifications, leading practices for competitive and transparent BESS procurement, and business models for BESS.

  • ENR’s Power Sector Program is helping Thailand achieve its clean energy, market deregulation, and smart grid goals with the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) and the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA). With EGAT, ENR is supporting an energy storage analysis related to the deployment of hybrid floating solar and hydropower projects and helping EGAT develop a national electric vehicle charging management strategy.

  • The Feed the Future Bangladesh Trade Support Project supports streamlining and digitizing new business startups in Bangladesh. USAID supported the launch of an online registration system to significantly reduce the time and cost required to register a company in Bangladesh. The updated system will now generate one of the most important documents, the Articles of Association, for the applicant for free, saving applicants significant time and money.

  • The Indo-Pacific Quad is also making sure that goods and ideas can flow freely throughout the region so that we can seize the opportunities of the 21st century together. We have taken steps to deepen cooperation in critical and emerging technologies to ensure democratic countries remain beacons for innovation and that science and technological advancements are used to empower people and societies throughout the region. For instance, we expect to strengthen such cooperation through the new International Standards Cooperation Network (ISCN). This cooperation will help ensure technology development in the region is guided by our shared democratic values.

  • In December 2022, the Quad Technology Business and Investment Forum convened over 150 government, academia, and industry representatives for discussions on specific technology sectors – such as AI, biotech, and quantum – promoting cross-border cooperation in AI, biotech, and quantum. Governments cannot pioneer a pathway without private sector and academia, so the forum discussed innovative forms of collaborative partnerships in areas where government and commercial interests are aligned. We view this as the first of many.

Participation

The U.S. government delegation in Tokyo was led by Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jose W. Fernandez along with other senior State Department officials. U.S. Trade and Development Agency Director Enoh T. Ebong opened the event. Senior government officials from Japan, Bangladesh, and the Philippines participated on behalf of their agencies. Distinguished speakers from the private sector and partner organizations participated throughout the day, including executives and officials from:

  • APTelecom
  • Centre for Policy Dialogue
  • Delta Airlines
  • EPRI International
  • Gridmarket
  • Keidanren
  • KKR
  • Mitsubishi Corporation
  • Mitsu O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.
  • MUFG Bank, Ltd.
  • NEC Corporation
  • NOW Telecom
  • Oracle Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan
  • Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA)
  • Regen Renewables (Pvt) Ltd.
  • Sarawak Energy Berhad
  • Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines, Inc.
  • Teradyne, Inc.

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency sponsored the Forum in collaboration with the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan, Keidanren (Japan Business Federation), the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the American Association of the Indo-Pacific.

For additional information on the 2023 Indo-Pacific Business Forum please visit: https://www.indopacificbusinessforum.com/ .

SOURCE: US DEPARTMENT OF STATE

About Nokia

We create the technology to connect the world. Only Nokia offers a comprehensive portfolio of network equipment, software, services and licensing opportunities across the globe. With our commitment to innovation, driven by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs, we are a leader in the development and deployment of 5G networks.

Our communications service provider customers support more than 6.4 billion subscriptions with our radio networks, and our enterprise customers have deployed over 1,300 industrial networks worldwide. Adhering to the highest ethical standards, we transform how people live, work and communicate. For our latest updates, please visit us online www.nokia.com and follow us on Twitter @nokia.

The United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) is opening an office in the Philippines’ capital in the first quarter of this year, further strengthening its presence in the southeast Asian country in a bid to focus more on key sectors deemed crucial by the institution.

US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson said this during the Indo-Pacific Business Forum held in Makati City, saying the move was to meet the demands of the Philippine market and in recognition of the country’s economic potential.

“USTDA’s projects will focus on supply chains, clean energy, infrastructure and telecommunications,” Carlson said in her speech.

“Our work through the USTDA is just one facet of the flourishing economic partnership we have with the Philippines in multiple sectors,” she added.

The US official cited the industry development program launched a day earlier by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) as an example, where both governments will work together to upscale the capacity of local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to be able to participate in the digital economy.

With an $18-billion budget for five years, the program dubbed as “Strengthening Private Enterprise for the Digital Economy (SPEED)” includes a grants program to drive and scale innovation among SMEs.

Carlson said the USTDA also signed on Thursday a new letter of intent for a $1.5-million grant to the Philippines, which will see a collaboration between Bell labs, Nokia USA, and NOW telecom to support clean and trusted 5G communication networks.

Sought for more details about this agreement, the US ambassador said it would involve the conduct of a feasibility study, saying that the USTDA often conducts such studies to determine the level of investor interest in specific sectors. Such studies are deemed necessary in attracting funding for and investments in concerned industries.

“USTDA doesn’t just provide studies strictly for US investors. Those can be used by the government and the private sector here to see where good matches can be made,” said Carlson at the sideline of the event.

Carlson, during the forum, also mentioned that a $1-million grant was also recently granted to Eramen minerals, a Filipino mining company, for a feasibility study on an environmentally sustainable mineral processing facility in the Philippines.

SOURCE: BUISNESS INQUIRER

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 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: CNN PHILIPPINES

Now Telecom Co. Inc. has signed a grant agreement with US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) to support the Velarde-led telecom firm’s deployment of a nationwide stand-alone 5G mobile and fixed wireless network in the Philippines.

USTDA has agreed to provide a grant on behalf of NOW Telecom to fund a technical assistance (TA) and 5G pilot network launch to support the company’s 5G deployment.

USTDA Director Enoh Ebong left and Now Telecoms CEO Mel Velarde shake hands after the signing of the LOI

The Letter of Intent (LO) I was signed by USTDA Director Enoh T. Ebong along with NOW Telecom Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mel Velasco Velarde, during a ceremony at the Annual IPBF co-hosted by the Governments of Japan and the United States, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the US-ASEAN Business Council on January 12. The IPBF is a business forum aimed to promote trade, investment and economic cooperation between the United States and Indo-Pacific nations including the Philippines.

“Our goal is to deliver a clean and secure 5G network that will help achieve social and financial mobility, reduce inequality, improve health and education, and spur economic growth for the Filipino people,” Velarde said.

“Our partnership with USTDA will help us achieve this important mission,” he added.

The TA will provide NOW Telecom with the necessary analysis, designs and plans for phased implementation of the project and conduct 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.

In addition, the TA includes the examination of available various financing schemes including grant, equity, and debt financing from potential donors, investors and financial institutions, and an assessment of the level of interest of funding organizations, the amount and terms of potential financing, and any specific financial requirements for the full-scale implementation of the project.

The USTDA funding for TA and a pilot project will support NOW Telecom’s deployment of a 5G network to help meet growing household and industry demand for reliable and secure digital services in the Philippines.

The TA will be undertaken by Bell Labs Consulting represented by Nokia of America Corp. as the prime contractor, a company registered in the US that is engaged in research and scientific development in the telecommunications sector.

The objective of the TA and 5G pilot launch is to support Now Telecom’s plan to launch a 5G stand-alone network in the Philippines that will contribute to the overall improvement of broadband connectivity in the country and increase competition in the Filipino market.

NowTel’s 5G pilot launch would use network and radio equipment, core network, and software developed and supplied by Nokia Americas and its subsidiaries.

Now Telecom Co. Inc. said Friday it signed a grant agreement with the US Trade and Development Agency to support the former’s deployment of a nationwide stand-alone 5G mobile and fixed wireless network in the Philippines.

USTDA agreed to provide a grant on behalf of Now Telecom to fund a technical assistance and 5G pilot network launch to support the company’s 5G deployment.

USTDA director Enoh Ebong and Now Telecom chairman and chief executive Mel Velasco Velarde signed the letter of intent during a ceremony at the the Annual IPBF co-hosted by the governments of Japan and the United States, the US Chamber of Commerce and the US-ASEAN Business Council on Jan. 12. The IPBF is a business forum aimed to promote trade, investment, and economic cooperation between the United States and Indo-Pacific nations including the Philippines.

“Our goal is to deliver a clean and secure 5G network that will help achieve social and financial mobility, reduce inequality, improve health and education, and spur economic growth for the Filipino people,” Velarde said.

NOW Telecom said the TA will provide the company with the necessary analysis, designs, and plans for phased implementation of the project and conduct 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.

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency sponsored the Forum in collaboration with the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan, Keidanren (Japan Business Federation), the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the American Association of the Indo-Pacific.

Source: MANILA STANDARD

A Letter of Intent has been signed between the United States of America, acting through the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (“USTDA”), and NOW Telecom Company, Inc. (“NOW Telecom”) at the 5th Annual Indo-Pacific Business Forum in Tokyo, Japan to memorialize the Parties’ intent to work together in support of NOW Telecom’s deployment of a nationwide stand-alone 5G mobile and fixed wireless network in the Philippines.

In support of the project, USTDA, a foreign assistance agency of the U.S. government that connects the U.S. private sector to infrastructure projects in developing and middle-income countries, has agreed to provide a grant on behalf of NOW Telecom to fund a technical assistance (TA) and 5G pilot network launch to support NOW Telecom’s 5G deployment.

The LOI was signed by USTDA Director Enoh T. Ebong along with NOW Telecom Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mel Velasco Velarde, during a ceremony at the Annual IPBF co-hosted by the Governments of Japan and the United States, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the US-ASEAN Business Council. The IPBF is a business forum aimed to promote trade, investment, and economic cooperation between the United States and Indo-Pacific nations including the Philippines.

(From left to right, seated) Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA Director; Mel Velasco Velarde, NOW Telecom Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. (From left to right, standing) Gaurav Korde, Regional Partner, Bell Labs Consulting APJ; Guillaume Mascot, Head of Government Affairs APJ Nokia; Verinda Fike, USTDA Regional Director, Indo-Pacific; Atty. Ferdinand Michael Marcos Manotoc, NOW Legal Counsel and Managing Partner of Marcos Law; Francis Xavier L. Manglapus, NOW Corp Vice-Chairman; Engr. Rene L. Rosales, NOW Telecom President and COO; Kristian Noel A. Pura, NOW Telecom Director.

The TA will provide NOW Telecom with the necessary analysis, designs, and plans for phased implementation of the project and conduct 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. Likewise, the TA includes an examination of available various financing schemes including grant, equity, and debt financing from potential donors, investors, and financial institutions, and an assessment of the level of interest of funding organizations, the amount and terms of potential financing, and any specific financial requirements for the full-scale implementation of the project.

“Our goal is to deliver a clean and secure 5G network that will help achieve social and financial mobility, reduce inequality, improve health and education, and spur economic growth for the Filipino people,” said NOW Telecom Chairman and CEO, Mel Velasco Velarde. “Our partnership with USTDA will help us achieve this important mission.”

SOURCE:BUSINESS MIRROR