PLDT, Nokia team up to deploy 5G standalone solutions in PHL universities

PLDT and Nokia executives signed a memorandum of understanding on March 3, 2019 to deploy 5G standalone solutions in Philippine universities. Photo: Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas

PLDT Inc.'s wireless arm Smart Communications Inc. on Tuesday inked a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Finnish technology firm Nokia Corp. to deploy 5G standalone solutions in Philippine universities.

Under the agreement, PLDT, Smart, and Nokia will work together and identify "real-world and enterprise-led 5G standalone solutions" such as artificial intelligence, drones, and internet of things (IOT) applications.

These will cater to local schools, colleges, and universities in the country, through the capabilities of the PLDT-Smart 5G Technolab in Makati, and the Nokia Technology Center in Quezon City.

According to PLDT, 5G SA relies solely on 5G for data transmission, and allows the full benefit of 5G capabilities to be tested and demonstrated.

On the other hand, 5G NSA (non-standalone) combines the use of 5G and existing 4G/LTE resources to transmit data.

"We are happy to partner with Nokia to help develop intelligent solutions and technologies for the benefit of the Philippine education sector," said PLDT-Smart chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan.

“Certainly we are hoping that 5G would be a significant revenue contributor. I think the sooner we build the network the better for us,” he added.

The MOU also covers deploying 5G SA technologies, products, and services such as 5G handsets and applications.

"This goes beyond just speed. 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," said Jae Won, head of Asia Pacific and Japan at Nokia. — BM, GMA News