NTC extends operation of NOW Telecom

MANILA, Philippines — NOW Telecom Co. Inc., an affiliate of listed NOW Corp., has secured the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC)’s nod for the renewal of its authority to provide various services and products to the public as a telecommunications company.

NOW said its affiliate was granted last week by the regulator an extension of its authority to install, operate and maintain an effective and economical telecommunications network, including mobile telecommunications, data and voice telecom network, trunked radio dispatch communications system, digital trunked radio system, and telecommunications operations.

The authority granted to NOW Telecom last week also includes the upgrade of its existing system to a nationwide wireless communications network which will provide mobile telephony communications and multimedia transmission capability to all cities and municipalities nationwide.

NOW Telecom president Rodolfo Pantoja said the NTC’s approval shows the government’s efforts in promoting competition by further liberalizing the
telecommunications industry.

“We have been providing guaranteed broadband to enterprises including the government sector.

We reiterate our belief that at present, there is an insufficiency in telecommunications facilities that can effectively address the needs for day-to-day real time operations and at the same time provide disaster mitigation during time of emergencies,” Pantoja said.

Pantoja said the company’s network upgrade would provide an affordable and reliable option for day-to-day wireless communications needs of enterprise and some sectors of the general consumer.

NOW Telecom, a grantee of a 25-year congressional franchise by the 17thCongress, is likewise a holder of authority from NTC to establish and operate a nationwide cellular mobile telephony system (CMTS).

It is one of only four companies in the country that has CMTS license,
the others being Smart Communications Inc., Globe Telecom and new major player Dito Telecommunity Corp.

The company is looking to position itself as the country’s potential fourth major telecommunications player through a nationwide expansion plan supported by a billion-dollar fiber network investment in the country from Singapore’s HyalRoute Group.

It also announced earlier plans to offer 5G wireless broadband for the delivery of gigabit speeds to homes and enterprises.