Nokia enables Globe Telecom's move to cloud, 4.5G in Philippines

NEW DELHI: Consolidating Finnish mobile technology giant Nokia's position as Philippines-based Globe Telecom's premier provider of end-to-end technology solutions, Nokia and Globe Telecom have signed two Memoranda of Confirmation frame agreements — one for wireless technologies and the other for IP, Optical and SDN technologies — under which Nokia will transform Globe Telecom's current fixed and mobile networks into a more robust network that will help Globe meet the country's burgeoning and future digital demands.

Under the agreements, Globe Telecom will transition to a flexible cloud-based network infrastructure, with Nokia's 5G-ready AirScale radio access and IP, optical and carrier SDN technology solutions providing seamless connectivity to consumers and enterprise customers as the operator prepares for IoT and 5G. The modernized Globe network will also allow it to support the Philippine government's initiative to further expand the availability of broadband services in the country.

The mobile network frame agreement between Nokia and Globe Telecom follows the operator's recent access to new LTE spectrum. Nokia will deploy its 4.5G Pro technology using the 5G-ready AirScale Base Station and Flexi Zone small cells, managed by NetAct, in the Visayas and Mindanao regions, providing broadband access to some areas in these regions for the first time. Globe will also be enabled to use Mobile Edge Computing and advanced carrier aggregation techniques to deliver virtually unlimited scalability and dramatic improvements in speeds and capacity that will deliver compelling new services. The technology will also enable lower power consumption, reduced operating costs, more network automation and enhanced network performance as it transforms Globe Telecom's customer experience for a subscriber base growing at 10 percent annually, as well as meeting increasing demand from IoT devices.

In the second frame agreement, Nokia will deliver its integrated IP and optical networking and carrier SDN technologies across the Philippines to enhance the agility, quality, performance, coverage and capacity of Globe Telecom's enterprise data services network. This will allow Globe to deliver coverage to more regions including in the ARMM, such as Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. Using Nokia's carrier SDN platform, Globe will also be able to provide flexible data services such as bandwidth-on-demand nationwide, and expand its offer to thousands of enterprise customers, global service providers and local government agencies as well as those serving the Information Technology-Business Process Outsourcing (IT-BPO), hospitality, education, manufacturing, retail, healthcare, logistics and finance industries.

The agreements were signed during the State Visit of the Philippine President to China by Globe Telecom's Director Fernando Zobel de Ayala and President and Chief Executive Officer Ernest L. Cu , and for Nokia by Chen Yuhua, Executive Vice President of the joint management team in China. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte witnessed the signing.

Nokia AirScale Base Station; Nokia Flexi Zone Small Cells; Nokia NetAct; Nokia 7950 Extensible Routing System (XRS); Nokia 7750 Service Routers; Nokia 1830 Photonic Service Switch; IP/optical automation, optimization and assurance with Nokia's Carrier SDN software, the Nokia Network Services Platform are the technologies included in the frame agreements. Nokia will provide services including project management, design, engineering and planning, installation, commissioning and testing and integration services.

Ernest L Cu, President and CEO of Globe Telecom, said, “As the Philippines' leading fixed and mobile service provider, we are devoted to improving people's connected lives day-by-day. With Nokia's innovative technologies, we are confident to lead the 5G and cloud network evolution.”

Mike Wang, Head of the joint management team in China at Nokia, said, "This is a significant agreement with a longstanding technology partner, and strengthens Nokia's position as Globe Telecom's premier provider of end-to-end technology solutions. We are committed to delivering technologies that allow operators to transition smoothly to intelligent, future-proof networks, offering seamless connectivity and changing how people communicate and connect."