NOW Telecom confirms USTDA grant for 5G network

Filipino operator NOW Telecom has received a funding grant from the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) to deploy its 5G network.

In a stock exchange filing dated 16^th December, NOW stated that the funds would be used to “advance critical digital infrastructure projects” including 5G mobile and fixed wireless networks. The operator will partner with Nokia of America and Nokia Bell Labs to develop and deploy a nationwide 5G broadband network as well as an initial pilot 5G deployment in Metro Manila.

In October 2022, NOW Telecom laid out its strategy to invest PHP7.8 billion (USD140.5 million) into deploying a further 100 base transceiver stations (BTS) across the next ten years. Its current footprint consists of around 50 BTS across Metro Manila and the Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) region, and the additional digital infrastructure will help boost its coverage.

We reported last month that NOW Telecom had partnered with the USTDA to deploy 5G in the Philippines to “provide faster and more reliable digital services and increased broadband internet access for Filipinos countrywide.”

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