The fourth major mobile phone operator in the Philippines has already entered the picture as the company have recently announced that they have already secured a permit to operate from the government. This telco is called NOW Telecom Company Inc. and it is owned by the Velarde family.
“NOW Telecom to take it to the next level. NOW Corp. and NOW Telecom were the first to introduce 5G broadband speed of up to 2 Gbps (gigabits per second) direct to our existing enterprise clients.”
– Mel Velarde, founder and chief executive of NOW Group of Companies
As of this date Globe, Smart, DITO and NOW Telecom are the only four (4) cellular mobile telephone service licensees in the Philippines.
NTC Issued NOW Telecom a Provisional Authority
On September 14, 2020, the National Telecommunication Commission (NTC) have issued a provisional authority which allows NOW Telecom to install, operate, and maintain a nationwide mobile telecommunications system.
Here are some of the details with regards to the provisional authority issued for the fourth telco:
- The authority is not specific to 3G or third-generation mobile communications technology
- It can extend to other technologies such as 4G, 5G or even outer space
- It requires NOW Telecom to accelerate the installation of broadband data service in the suburban and rural areas
- NOW Telecom is prohibited to share its frequency to other players such as PLDT/Smart, Globe Telecom, DITO Telecommunity Corp. or any other entity without securing approval from the NTC
The telco’s legislative franchise has been renewed Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte for another 25 years when he signed the Republic Act No. 10972 on Feb. 22, 2018.
Source: NOW Telecom Company, Inc.
