NOW Telecom inks deal with Texas-based satellite company

MANILA  -NOW Telecom Co. inked a memorandum of understanding with a Nasdaq-listed satellite company to extend connectivity services in urban and remote regions lacking coverage amid the pivot to digitalization.

The associate of listed NOW Corp. teamed up with AST & Science LLC to realize its goal of establishing a bigger footprint across the country.

“This initiative focuses on providing comprehensive communication services, including voice, video, data, and internet connectivity, to remote regions with limited or non-existent infrastructure,” the company said in a recent statement.

“Every Filipino could connect his mobile phone from anywhere nationwide through NOW partner AST’s single cell site in the sky,” NOW Telecom chair Mel Velarde added,

AST has a network of low earth orbit satellites, which enable communications and internet connectivity in isolated areas where traditional land-based cell towers are difficult to build.

“The partnership with AST supports NOW’s Trusted Network initiative as it seeks to work with only trusted vendors in the telecommunication industry in the Philippines,” the listed company said.

There have been several developments in the space-based connectivity space in the country, especially with the entry of tech mogul’s Starlink. Local telco players are also collaborating with satellite players to beef up their infrastructure.

The satellite project complements NOW Corp.’s 5G initiatives as it seeks to provide high-speed connectivity in the country.

Recently, it also inked a partnership with global technology company Fortinet Inc. to provide cybersecurity solutions for enterprise clients. NOW is leveraging Fortinet’s expertise in tracking potential system vulnerabilities in order to place appropriate measures against hackers.

NOW also signed a memorandum of understanding with Silicon Valley-based Celona Inc. to expand its current broadband telecommunication network by rolling out private wireless systems catering to business clients.

The parties agreed to target several industries, including manufacturing, oil and natural gas, logistics and transportation.

NOW is a listed company involved in telecommunication, media and technology, with software licenses and services, IT manpower and resource augmentation and broadband and wireless cable TV services as its key operating business segments.