News Summary:

• PLDT and Cisco announce the installation of Cisco 5G Stand Alone (SA) Core and 5G Access Nodes, in PLDT’s existing 5G TechnoLab, to innovate next-level 5G solutions in the Philippines.
• PLDT’s TechnoLab will feature Cisco’s world-class hardware and software, including virtualized 5G routing in the cloud, fronthaul and backhaul transport, segment routing, transport slicing, automation and more.
• PLDT’s TechnoLab will expand and co-develop other horizontal and vertical 5G-enabled use cases with 3rd party ecosystem partners to monetize PLDT’s 5G business in the Philippine market
   

SAN JOSE, Calif. and Manila, Philippines. May 5, 2022 – PLDT Inc. (PLDT), the Philippines’ largest telecommunications company, and Cisco have collaborated to build a 5G Stand Alone (SA) service platform in Manila. This will be based in PLDT’s existing 5G TechnoLab in Makati City, to drive innovation in Consumer and Enterprise 5G solutions in the country.

Powered by Cisco’s 5G SA Solution, the platform will enable PLDT Technolab to provide an end-to-end network sandbox of the latest Private 5G standalone service architecture, where enterprises of all sizes, as well as numerous vertical industries can develop digital use cases. These 5G-enabled use cases can be developed and tested with a view of expanding the value of what private cellular networks can support. This open and secure network provides PLDT with the capability to accelerate the value of 5G and Digitalization throughout the Philippines and address pressing challenges, like the sudden and permanent shift towards hybrid work and the need to safely energize industries productively on critical network infrastructure.

As part of this engagement, Cisco will also share their global 5G experience in different industry verticals, including Industry Revolution 4.0 (IR4.0) digital transformation (DX), and deploying 5G-Enabled Manufacturing. PLDT will continue to help its customers’ trials and lead in Robotics Process Automation (RPA) and Precision Control, autonomous Automated Guided Vehicles (aAGV) with seamless mobility, with the added advantages of integrating TechnoLab’s existing Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) capabilities. The addition of 5G Network Slicing enables the industrial applications to be allocated with the right bandwidth and service quality, per application, on demand. The enterprise grade 5G features include security, multi-cloud compliance, service management with self-service capabilities and Machine Learning (ML)-enabled Artificial Intelligence (AI).

“Cisco brings together technologies like 5G, Wi-Fi6 and IoT integrated with enterprise IT policy and security frameworks. For example, for hybrid work, connected remote workers with experts on demand, allow enhanced collaboration with WebEx. This allows enterprises to leverage 5G for remote asset connection with SD-WAN, while at the same time, protecting critical infrastructure with Cisco Meraki cameras and IoT sensors connected to video AI solutions over 5G,” said Sanjay Kaul, President, APJ Service Provider.

“We recognize that the industry has to do a lot more in monetizing 5G, which is a service-based, customizable end-to-end network. This is the key benefit of 5G versus the one-size-fits-all approach of LTE/4G. This partnership with Cisco will enhance our capability in developing and testing new innovative services at the laboratory. We are continuously on the lookout for 5G and IoT solutions that address our customers unique needs and help them grow their business, as part of the broader PLDT commitment to elevate the quality of customer experience,” said Arvin L. Siena, Head of Technology Strategy and Transformation Office of PLDT.