THE United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has granted Filipino telco giant PLDT Inc. $1 million for a training program for fiber-optic network and transmission infrastructure modernization, which, according to the company’s top officer, would help prepare the company for its 5G initiatives.
Manuel V. Pangilinan, who chairs PLDT, said the training program, led by tech giant Cisco, will “equip” his group with certified professionals who will lead the rollout and management of its 5G systems, among others.
“This landmark grant agreement between PLDT and the US Trade and Development Agency for training purposes will enable PLDT to utilize fully the cutting-edge technologies that Cisco will deploy to transform our fiber transmission network into a 5G-ready infrastructure,” he said.
He added that the result of the training program will trickle down to consumers in the long run.
“This will definitely benefit the Philippines, and raise its efforts in adopting and deploying technologies in the next wave of digital innovation,” Pangilinan explained.
Over the past decade, the Filipino telco giant, which now positions itself as a digital enabler and solutions provider, has been investing billions of pesos in fiber-optic networks across the country and outside.
These are also part of its tests for different 5G solutions, particularly for fixed wireless products. So far, it has partnered with a host of companies and organizations to develop and test 5G in the country.
“5G is a new technology that is opening new exciting opportunities for digital services. This training program will help us deliver the new skills and capabilities needed to take full advantage of these opportunities,” PLDT SVP Mario G. Tamayo added.