According to local press reports, Philippines operator NOW Telecom has signed a memorandum of understanding with Aboitiz InfraCapital and Frontier Tower Associates to support the government’s common tower initiatives.
Aboitiz InfraCapital undertakes the infrastructure and infrastructure-related investments of the Aboitiz Group of companies; these companies are engaged in distinct services in key industries that are contributing to nation-building.
The Frontier Tower Associates Group invests in, builds and operates wireless communications infrastructure with strong recurring cashflows, including towers and poles, rooftops, distributed antenna systems (DAS) and small cells, fibre and data centre assets.
The MoU calls for the various parties to enter talks on the leasing of build-to-suit sites, towers, and passive telecoms infrastructure and facilities that will be made available for the installation of NOW’s equipment to provide telecoms and internet services.
The move, press reports suggest, will play a part in NOW’s strategy for the provision of 5G mobile services across the country.
The partners will also work together using the Aboitiz Group’s existing assets to support and strengthen NOW Telecom’s nationwide expansion.
Aboitiz InfraCapital and Frontier Tower have already teamed up for the development, construction, operation, and maintenance of a common tower network in the Philippines. They now aim to provide access to passive wireless communications infrastructure for cellcos and ISPs.
The government’s initiative to foster tower sharing aims to reduce the cost of deployment while also accelerating network rollout, no small challenge in a country made up of over 7,600 islands and a population of well over 100 million.
