The United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) approved a grant funding for technical assistance (TA) to NOW Telecom Co. Inc. so it can develop Wireless Telephony Network for the Philippines using 5G Technology.
This was announced during the recent visit of US Vice President Kamala Harris.

Now is collaborating with 5G Tech Leader Nokia as well as technology and research innovator, Nokia Bell Labs.
The TA includes three major components - the design of a national 5G wireless network, a nationwide broadband network plus a pilot 5G network in Metro Manila.
Bell Labs Consulting, represented by Nokia of America Corporation (Nokia Americas), will be the prime contractor for the TA.
NOW Telecom will use network and radio equipment, core network, and software developed and supplied by Nokia Americas and its subsidiaries for its 5G pilot launch.
Ultimately, the TA and 5G pilot launch will support NOW Telecom’s launch of a 5G Stand-alone network in the Philippines.
"NOW's TA and pilot 5G launch will include a development plan and execution for a pilot 5G Stand-Alone Network and the design of a completely "Clean" and "Secured" Stand-alone 5G Network," NOW Telecom President and COO Rene L. Rosales elaborated.
"The 5G Network Plan contains the deployment strategy and definition of infrastructure requirements for the network transmission backbone for both domestic and international connectivity," he added.
NOW Telecom Company, Inc. (NOW Telecom) is owned by publicly listed NOW Corp., which is part of the NOW Group together with News and Entertainment Network company.
Congress granted NOW a 25-year franchise (expiring in 2043), under Republic Act. No. 10972, to construct, establish, operate, and maintain a mobile telecom system, fixed wireless telecom system, international and domestic gateway, fiber-optic systems, a satellite system, electronic communications network, and electronic communications services.
In 2020, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) renewed the Provisional Authority (PA) of the company’s Mobile Telephony Service (MTS) to cover, not just 3G mobile communications technology but other technologies such as 4G and 5G.