MULTINATIONAL telecommunications firm Nokia Corp. announced on Wednesday that it had been selected by DITO Telecommunity Corp. to deploy fifth-generation (5G) services in Mindanao.
In a statement posted on its website, Nokia said the deployment will allow the third telco player to “complete its ambitious strategy” of building a 5G network throughout the Philippines.
“To achieve the desired network performance, Nokia is providing equipment from its comprehensive massive MIMO, multi-band, Single RAN AirScale portfolio to build the Radio Access Network (RAN) for the 5G infrastructure across Mindanao,” it added.
DITO has said it is targeting to bring in 5G to Davao City by 2022, simultaneous with its planned rollout of the technology in other parts of the country.
DITO started offering its mobile services in the National Capital Region on May 17, bringing up the new telco’s presence to 100 cities and municipalities.
The company has said it expects its earnings before taxes to turn “positive” by the third year of its commercial operations.
It plans to introduce fixed broadband services to home consumers in the “next two years.”
DITO is currently capable of serving 37.48% of the country’s population based on the technical audit report by R.G. Manabat & Co. It has a commitment to cover 84% of the population and provide an internet speed of at least 55 megabits per second by the end of its fifth year of commercial operations. — Arjay L. Balinbin
