Now Telecom Inc. on Friday confirmed talks with the US government to roll out 5G technologies to provide faster and reliable broadband Internet access in the Philippines.
The telecom company owned by the Velarde family said it engaged with the United States, through the US Trade and Development Agency for the deployment of 5G technologies in the Philippines.
The US Embassy earlier said the US government planned to team up with telecom operator NowTel on 5G deployment to “provide faster and more reliable digital services and increased broadband internet access for Filipinos countrywide.”
NowTel was the first to introduce pre-5G broadband speed of up to 2 gigabits per second to enterprise clients. The company also plans to extend the service to residential and consumer markets through fixed-wireless access and mobile cellular devices.
NowTel also signed a memorandum of agreement with SBA Towers Philippines Inc., a unit of NASDAQ-listed firm SBA Communications Corp., to install equipment to provide telecommunications and internet services.
The agreement was part of the roadmap of the NOW Group to provide 5G or the fifth generation wireless network technology that will allow the delivery of up to 20 gigabit-per-second speed to enterprises and homes.
NOW Corp. also signed a multi-year collaboration with LIMA Land Inc. of Aboitiz Group to supply multimedia solutions such as broadband internet services branded NOW Fiber Air.
NOW Fiber Air will be extended to all locators within the LIMA Estate, an 800-hectare property, including its retail establishments and other bordering towns.
LIMA Estate is a mixed-use development zone with 140 locators, 167 commercial shops and over 2,000 residences. LIMA is home to the country’s largest privately-owned industrial park in Batangas.
Clifford Academia, vice president for operations of LIMA Estate, said the partnership with NOW and the deployment of NOW Fiber Air in its estate, would provide more options for the company’s locators for better internet connectivity.
“This partnership with LIMA Estate solidifies NOW’ position of providing quality and reliable broadband internet connectivity access especially to the enterprise market. Specifically, our relationship with the Aboitiz group has been strong starting off with Union Bank as our major client and then with LIMA Estate,” NOW president Henry Andrews Abes said.
“We are excited to work with the Aboitiz Group in bringing new technologies to fast track the digital infrastructure agenda of the current administration across all market,” he said.
