The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has awarded a radio license renewal to NOW Telecom, signaling the start of its operations using the 800 MHZ band.
“This license renewal with the most coveted 800 MHZ frequencies shall strengthen the communications security and connectivity to vital critical infrastructures in the country,” says businessman Mel Velarde, NOW Group chairman.
NOW will be the fourth major player in the fast-growing telecommunications industry in the Philippines that include Smart, Globe and DITO.
But even before this, NOW Telecom has partnered with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Cybersecurity Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) in providing protection to the country’s telecommunications system against cyber-attacks and other critical services related to national security.
Also, NOW Telecom is also eyeing 16 vital infrastructures not only for the different local government agencies but also for the US Department of Homeland Security that requires blanket coverage for a secure, reliable and robust communications system using modern equipment trusted by the American authorities.
During the recent visit of Vice President Kamala Harris to the Philippines, the US government announced its intention to forge a strong partnership with Now Telecom for the establishment of a nationwide design and deployment of 5G standalone and National Broadband Network (NBN) throughout the country.
This was followed by the formalization of the technical assistance by the US Trade and Development Agency to NOW Telecom during the visit of US Assistant Secretary Daniel Kritenbrink on January 20,2023.
“Filipinos can and should be secure online. Securing against malicious cyber activities is difficult even in the best of times, but it is infinitely more difficult when the risk comes from the entity that built and may maintain access to a telecommunications network,” Kritenbrink said during the signing of the grant documents with officials of NOW Telecom and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).