The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) believes that 5G will drive the growth of the telecommunications sector this year, and will help empower various industries to digitally transform their processes.
Gamaliel Cordoba, the regulator’s commissioner, said with 5G being rolled out in different parts of the country, Filipinos could expect better telecommunications services from telco players.
“As companies started to rollout 5G-capable devices and infrastructure, it’s fair to assume that connectivity is taking a huge stride towards the future. The year 2021 will also be a great year as telcos demonstrate how they use artificial intelligence or AI and machine learning or ML to drive automation for their infrastructure operations,” he said during the Department of Information and Communications Technology’s (DICT) forum on Thursday.
Cordoba said 5G, along with AI and ML, will be able to support the Internet of Things, a concept where machines are interconnected and can be remotely controlled via the Internet.
This, he said, will be able to help industries, such as agriculture, military, and health, digitally transform to provide better, more efficient services. “Telecommunications is driving the future of work. The country’s lockdown with businesses shutting down, the need for digitization is deemed necessary now more than ever. Telco companies emerged as one of the most essential industries this pandemic and will most likely stay that way in the foreseeable future,” Cordoba said.
Currently, Smart Communications Inc. President Alfredo S. Panlilio said his group has more than 4,000 5G sites across the Philippines.
“The introduction of 5G last year, uplifted the wireless experience. Smart’s 5G network, the country’s first, fastest, and nation-widest now has more than 4,000 sites fired up across the Philippines. We will continue to roll out more 5G sites in the years to come so that more Filipinos could enjoy 5G coverage,” he said during the same forum.
Meanwhile, Globe Telecom Inc. President Ernest L. Cu said the company has 1,656 5G sites nationwide.
“We’ve had very significant improvements in 5G, although it is still nascent—very few people have 5G handsets—but we want to ensure that they get the best experience when they do upgrade to a 5G handset,” he said.
Cordoba noted that 5G will provide a boost in the country’s local output, as it will help buttress global competitiveness and labor connectivity. “This year, the spotlight is on 5G deployment and the massive boost in connectivity speed and business and transformation it brings along. Telecoms will continue to maintain global competitiveness and boost labor productivity, all while leveraging emerging technologies that have the potential to revolutionize customer experience, network expansion and infrastructure management.”
Cordoba added that telcos have the opportunity to leverage new technologies for network capabilities improvement, seamless customer experience, and infrastructure automation.
“We should expect the telecom industry to drive innovation in the new normal as network grows larger by the day. Consistent connectivity and enhanced customer service can become the two key elements for the future of telecommunications.”