The National Telecommunication Commission (NTC) granted the renewal of NOW Telecom Company, Inc.’s radio license to operate in the 800 MHZ frequency as part of its goals to expand its communications security services.
The company received the license dated Sept. 29, 2023 from the NTC on Oct. 2, 2023.
Upon the NTC’s approval, NOW Telecom has become one of four companies to have a licensed mobile telecommunications system (MTS) in the country along with Smart, Globe, and Dito.
“This license renewal with the most coveted 800 MHZ frequencies shall strengthen the communications security and connectivity to vital critical infrastructures in the country,” said NOW Group Chairman Mel Velarde.
NOW Telecom said its communications security initiatives include plans to establish critical infrastructures for 16 vital sectors identified by Philippine agencies and the United States Department of Homeland Security.
These pertain to the chemical, commercial facilities, communications, critical manufacturing, dams, defense, emergency services, energy, financial services, food and agriculture, government facilities, healthcare and public health, information technology, nuclear reactors, materials and waste sector; transportation systems, and water and wastewater sectors.
These infrastructures will “require immediate blanket coverage for a secure, reliable, and robust communications systems using only trusted equipment,” said NOW Telecom.
Last Jan. 20, officials from NOW Telecom and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) signed grant documents with the US Trade and Development Agency, as witnessed by US Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Kritenbrink.
The grants were in fulfillment of US Vice President Kamala Harris’ earlier statements of intent to partner with the telecommunications company to design and deploy a National Broadbank Network (NBN) and offer 5G standalone services.
“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,” said Kritenbrink.