Smart, Nokia to pilot 5G deployments in schools

The Philippines' PLDT and mobile division Smart have signed an agreement with Nokia to pilot the deployment of 5G technologies and services in schools.

The agreement will see PLDT, Smart and Nokia collaborate to identify real-world 5G standalone solutions for use in schools, colleges and universities, including arificial intelligence, drones and advanced IoT applications.

The companies will levearge the PLDT-Smart Technolab in Makati and the Nokia Technology Center in Quezon City for the project.

In addition, the agreement covers deploying 5G standalone products and services, such as 5G handsets and applications, in the Philippines.

“We are happy to partner with Nokia to help develop intelligent solutions and technologies for the benefit of the Philippine education sector,” PLDT-Smart chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan said.

“As the country’s leading and most trusted technology enabler, PLDT and Smart are excited to work with Nokia and the academe in realizing our 5G vision,” added the company's chief revenue officer Ernesto R. Alberto.

PLDT and Smart claim to be the best positioned company to deploy 5G in the Philippines due to its status as the operator as the country's most extensive fiber network, which now spans over 244,000 route kilometers.