NOW Telecom welcomes the liberalization of the Philippine telecom industry with the entry of a new telecom player that hopes to provide better internet for the country.
Asked on the entry of the new player, Rodolfo Pantoja, president of NOW Telecom said: “We see the entry of DITO Telecommunity (formerly Mislatel) as a net positive for the industry. It provides a market signal that government is in the liberalization phase of the telecommunications industry. This will ultimately benefit the consumers as the increased competition will stimulate improvements in quality of service, increase in service coverage and availability.”
Dito, the consortium of Davao City-based businessman Dennis Uy, was recently awarded a certificate of public convenience and necessity (CPCN).
NOW Telecom, which was able to renew 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 (Gbps) to its enterprise customers.
This technology sets the stage for the full rollout of 5G by utilizing millimeter wave (mmwave) which exponentially increases internet speed and bandwidth capacity to subscribers, reaching up to 20 gbps in network capacity.
With the growing global popularity of mmwave for 5G, NOW is confident that it can adopt new use cases, ICT applications and least-cost deployment solutions in the Philippines. These new technologies will leverage the high speed, low latencies and high capacities that mmwave and will open new markets that NOW can more readily tap because of its ability to provide wireless connectivity.
NOW has connected more than 400 buildings in Metro Manila with each building capable of providing coverage of up to 2km radius focusing on enterprises and multi-dwelling units such as commercial and residential buildings. The key to NOW’s growth is the combination of its innovative technology, business strategy, and the economics behind the model.
“We are the largest fixed wireless access provider in the country. And we maintain that vision as we provide guaranteed broadband to our customers – both enterprises and residential buildings. We will leap frog from this model and provide new generation technologies including 5G. Deployment plans are underway to serve the greater Metro Manila,” according to Kristian Pura, NOW head of business development.
When asked if NOW Telecom is open to partnership with DITO Telecommunity, Pantoja meanwhile said that NOW remains confident and steadfast in its proven strategy of providing guaranteed broadband to enterprises and is determined to expand its service offerings to new geographical markets.
“Part of this strategy is our willingness to entertain possible partnerships with other telecommunications companies. We are always open to explore opportunities of partnership and collaboration with other players in the industry, to both local and foreign players. The same can be said to DITO Telecommunity. The decentralized gigabit era will inevitably force disruptive innovations in this industry. Specializing in a specific market niche and partnering with the right entities are both essential in delivering profitability,” he explained.