PLDT taps Huawei for 5G rollout in 2020

China’s Huawei Technologies is cementing its leading position in the Philippines’ fifth-generation (5G) race.

PLDT chair and CEO Manuel Pangilinan told reporters they have selected Huawei and “a bit of Ericsson” as equipment suppliers ahead of the company’s commercial rollout of 5G in the first quarter of 2020.

Globe earlier launched pilot commercial 5G services in parts of Metro Manila, also using network equipment from Huawei, a longtime partner.

Both telcos earlier said they would ensure the security of their networks amid espionage worries from Chinese technology companies. Countries such as the United States and Australia imposed bans on Huawei’s technology due to security concerns.

Pangilinan said choosing Huawei made sense because of their current extensive use of the Chinese company’s network gear.