Now Telecom Inc., a company led by the Velarde family, said it signed a memorandum of understanding with Singapore-based Philippine Fiber Optic Cable Network Ltd. Inc. for the co-use of its fiber infrastructure assets nationwide.
The agreement will enable the parties to collaborate for the commercial use of shared fiber infrastructure assets, including access to fiber-optic cores and other related facilities.
“Furthermore, the parties intend to collaborate on the fiber optic cable network rollout that will strengthen and support Now’s nationwide expansion,” Now said.
PFOCN’s rollout of a shared fiber optic cable network in phases, which Now will be a part of, aligns with the government’s national broadband program.
Now, which renewed its congressional franchise under Republic Act No. 10972 last year, is currently offering broadband internet access in Metro Manila through a fixed wireless microwave transmissions network.
This enables Now to provide guaranteed internet speeds of up to 2.40 gigabits per second to enterprise customers.
The technology sets the stage for the full rollout of 5G by utilizing millimeter-wave which exponentially increases internet speed and bandwidth capacity to subscribers, reaching up to 20 gbps in network capacity. Darwin G. Amojelar
Now said with the growing global popularity of mmwave for 5G, it was confident that it could adopt new use cases, ICT applications and least-cost deployment solutions in the Philippines.
Now has connected more than 400 buildings in Metro Manila with each building capable of providing coverage of up to 2-km radius focusing on enterprises and multi-dwelling units such as commercial and residential buildings.