by Aerol John Pateña/PNA
PLDT wireless unit Smart Communications has partnered with Nokia for the deployment of fifth generation (5G) technology and services in schools across the country.
Both companies have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the development of 5G standalone (5G SA) solutions such as artificial intelligence, drones and Internet of Things applications for use in colleges and universities.
“We are happy to partner with Nokia to help develop intelligent solutions and technologies for the benefit of the Philippine education sector,” PLDT-Smart Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Manuel V. Pangilinan said during its signing held in Makati City on Tuesday night.
The MOU covers the rollout of 5G SA technologies and innovative products such as 5G handsets and applications.
The technology solely depends on the 5G network for data transmission and enables the schools, businesses and other organizations to utilize the full benefit of its capabilities. On the other hand, 5G non-standalone (NSA) combines the use of 5G and existing 4G/LTE resources to transmit data.
“5G SA enables introduction of services like real-time remote control of robotics and autonomous driving of transport vehicles in the areas of Industrial Revolution 4.0 with new technologies like Network Slicing and Ultra Reliable and Low Latency Communications,” according to Nokia head for Asia Pacific and Japan Jae Won.
The company intends to spend a significant portion of its capital expenditures (capex) this year for the rollout of its 5G network.
“5G offers great opportunities for telcos to generate new forms of revenues,” Pangilinan said.
“We have announced a historic high capex this year that may be utilized as expenditures for 5G. There will be a continuous rollout of cell sites and base stations with 5G within the next few years” he added.
PLDT has allocated a capex of PHP78.4 billion this year for the rollout of its fiber broadband service in line with the expansion of its mobile network by providing high-capacity links for cellular base stations.
The firm will likewise continue to establish partnerships with technology providers that have the capacity to build a 5G network and the resources to offer a wide range of services to various industries in the country
Its wireless unit Smart has activated its first 5G cell sites last November at its headquarters in Makati City with technology partner Huawei Technologies and in Clark with Ericsson.
